Winnie Nyiva Mwendwa was appointed the Minister for Culture and Social Services on May 9, 1995, becoming the first female minister in Kenya.
She distinguished herself as a pioneering advocate for women’s empowerment, leveraging her authority to advance both their political and economic empowerment.
Her efforts focused on promoting women’s participation in elective positions and enhancing their financial capabilities.
She studied at Alliance Girls Highschool and was one of the first ethnic African teachers to be posted to The Kenya High School in the mid-1960s, teaching Domestic Science.
The veteran politician had a master’s degree in textile and interior design from Cornell University in the US.
The Veteran Politician’s Love for Beauty
Nyiva’s obsession with looks and love for beauty products landed her in trouble when she led a delegation of 450 women to the Beijing World Conference of Women in 1995.
However, her troubles escalated when news broke that she had arranged for her personal hairdresser to accompany her to Beijing.
In her defense, Mwendwa argued that as the leader of the delegation, it was essential to maintain a polished appearance.
The striking coral lipstick she adorned was an integral element of her distinctive style.
Nyiva Mwendwa never stepped out of her home without the allure of redness on her lips and the precise arch of her eyebrows drawn to perfection.
Though age had dulled Nyiva’s agility, she persisted in wearing heels.
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Nyiva Mwendwa Political Journey
The widow of the late Kitili Maluki Mwendwa, was elected for the post of Kitui West Constituency MP three times in 1972, 1992 and 2002.
At the 2007 elections Nyiva contested the seat on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket but lost to Charles Mutisya Nyamai.
When the new Constitution was enacted, she again successfully contested the position of Kitui Woman Representative and elected the first Kitui County woman representative in the 2013 elections on the Wiper Democratic Movement ticket.
In 2017, she announced her intention to retire from active politics 43 years since her debut.
Nyiva Mwendwa was conferred The Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya, 2nd Class, Elder of the Golden Heart (EGH).
In 2022 the state honored Nyiva for her role in empowering women and mentoring them into leadership.
Chief Mwendwa’s Family
Nyiva’s husband, Kitili Maluki Mwendwa, was a notable figure in Kenyan politics serving as Kenya’s first African Chief Justice in 1968.
He was dropped three years later in 1971 when he was implicated in a coup attempt.
Nyiva has two children, Kavinya Mwendwa and Maluki Mwendwa.
Tragically, Kitili Mwendwa passed away in a traffic accident in 1985, while he was serving as the Member of Parliament for Kitui West.
His seat was subsequently filled through a by-election won by his brother, Kyale Mwendwa a position he lost three years later in the 1988 General Elections to his late brother’s wife Nyiva Mwendwa.
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Kyale, the son of colonial era Kitui Paramount Chief Mwendwa Kitavi, was Kenya’s first Director of Education.
Kyale also served as a Cabinet minister in charge of Livestock Development, before being transferred to the Water docket where he served until 1988.
The Kenya’s pioneer educationists Kyale Mwendwa died in 2020 at the aged of 94.
One of Kitili’s brother, Eliud Ngala Mwendwa, also served as a distinguished Kenyan minister. Ngala was Kenya’s first Minister for Labour from 1963 until 1974 under Jomo Kenyatta.
Ngala also served as a Member of Parliament for Kitui Central in 1963-1969 during the one Kanu party system. He died in 2026 at the age of 94.
