Kenya’s First Female Sports Minister Appointed Amid Cabinet Reshuffle

In a landmark political appointment, Hon. Susan Wafula—former CEO of Kenya Ports Authority and grassroots netball advocate—was named Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture, and Heritage on May 5, 2025. She is the first woman to hold the portfolio since independence. A graduate of Kenyatta University (Sports Management) and Loughborough, Wafula pledged a gender-transformative agenda : 50% funding allocation to women’s sports, mandatory female representation on all federation boards, and pay equity for national team players. Her first directive halted a controversial KSh 2.1 billion stadium contract pending forensic audit. Talent is genderless. Opportunity shouldn’t be, she stated in her maiden speech. Women’s sports bodies hailed the move; FKF fast-tracked its women’s league expansion.