Margaret Kenyatta The Trailblazing Daughter of Jomo Kenyatta Who Made History as Nairobi’s First Female Mayor
Margaret Rose Wambui Kenyatta was the second child of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the daughter of his first wife, Grace Wahu. Born in 1928, Margaret grew up during a time when education for African girls was still rare, yet she defied the odds to become one of Kenya’s most accomplished women in both politics and diplomacy.
She began her education at Ruthimitu Primary School and later joined Alliance Girls High School in 1947 as one of the pioneer students. Her early exposure to education laid a strong foundation for her future in leadership and public service. With determination and a passion for serving her community, Margaret entered politics and became a councillor for Dagoretti Ward in Nairobi. Her leadership and service led to her historic election as the first and only woman Mayor of Nairobi in 1970. She was the third African mayor of the capital city, following Charles Rubia and Isaac Lugonzo. Her tenure as mayor lasted until 1976 when she was succeeded by Andrew Kimani Ngumba.
Beyond her contributions at the city level, Margaret Kenyatta broke even more ground when she was appointed Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme, headquartered in Nairobi. She served in this role from 1976 to 1986, becoming the first woman in Kenya to hold such a diplomatic position. During her tenure, she represented Kenya on international platforms, advocating for environmental protection and sustainable development at a time when such topics were just beginning to gain global attention.
Margaret was known to be her father’s favorite child, and her legacy reflects the trust and admiration he had for her. Despite being born into a political family, she carved her own path and left behind a powerful legacy of firsts. She passed away in 2017, but her contributions to Kenyan society continue to inspire many, especially women in leadership. Her life remains a testament to resilience, service, and the importance of opening doors for others to follow.
