Zipporah Kittony, born in 1943 in Kasoyo Village, Baringo, is a retired Kenyan politician, prominent women’s and children’s rights activist, and businesswoman.
She was the fifth of twelve siblings: nine sisters and three brothers, born to Isaiah Chesire, a Christian missionary, and Elizabeth Chesire.
Zipporah is best known for her long tenure as the national chairperson of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), her long-term service as a nominated Member of Parliament and Senator, and her advocacy for gender equality and empowerment.
Zipporah Kitoony’s Early Life and Educational Background
Zipporah Kittony attended Kapropita Primary School before joining Kapsabet Girls’ High School for her secondary education.
During her early years, her family had a close relationship with former President Daniel Arap Moi.
As a student, she lived in the Moi family home and later described Moi as a father figure who frequently visited her family home while working as a teacher in Tambach.
In 1962, Zipporah married Paul Kittony, and together they have three children: Kiprono Kittony, the Chairperson of the Nairobi Securities Exchange; Ezekiel Kibet Kittony, a retired Kenya Defence Forces officer; and Caroline Kittony-Waiyaki, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Career Background
After completing her secondary education at Kapsabet Girls High School, Zipporah served as an untrained teacher at Kapropita Primary School.
In 1964, she left teaching to join the Family Planning Association of Kenya, where she trained women in Kericho in family planning.
However, in the 1970s, Zipporah served as the East and Central Africa Senior Programmes Officer for the World Assembly of Youth but resigned in 1976 to focus on farming.
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Zipporah Kittony later became chairperson of the Agriculture Society of Kenya in Kericho.
From 1996 to 2006, Zipporah chaired the Trans Nzoia Branch of MYWO before rising to the national chairperson, making her one of the organization’s longest-serving leaders.
Under her leadership, MYWO focused on women’s empowerment, youth services, and issues like female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender equality legislation.
In 1988, during President Daniel Arap Moi’s administration, Zipporah Kittony began her political career after being nominated as MP for Cherangany, a role she held until 2007.
In 2007, she ran for an elective seat on a KANU ticket but lost, and in 2013, KANU nominated Zipporah for the Senate, where she served until 2018.
As a member of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), she opposed the two-thirds gender rule in parliament, arguing it limited women’s opportunities given their majority in Kenya’s population.
Zipporah retired from active politics in 2017 after 56 years of public service.
Achievements
As a Chairperson of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), she championed women’s economic empowerment, provided leadership training, and advocated for women to seek political and government positions.
Kittony has been a lifelong champion for the rights of women and the girl child, advocating for social justice and gender equality. Her work contributed to the realization of some of the rights women in Kenya enjoy today.
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In 1995, she was part of the Kenyan delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where discussions focused on critical areas such as health and poverty.
As a legislator, she is recognized for sponsoring the Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2012, a significant piece of legislation to address cancer in the country.
Zipporah Kittony was the first woman to be appointed Chairperson of the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), where she advocated for inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth.
In 2022, she released her memoir titled Sheer Grit, detailing her life and accomplishments.
For her exemplary work and service to the nation, she has received several honors, including the Order of the Golden Warrior in 1998 and the American Biographical Institute’s Woman of the Year award in 1999.
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