By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 5 May 2026 - Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami has been elected President of the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), handing Kenya a key leadership position in continental governance.
Mukami will head the Bureau of the caucus in the Seventh Legislature, following elections conducted under the African Union’s regional rotation principle. Her victory places her at the helm of a powerful platform tasked with advancing women’s representation and influence across Africa.
The newly elected Bureau reflects continental diversity, with Aisha Adams (Malawi) named First Vice President, Fatoumata Njai (The Gambia) as Second Vice President, Awatef Cheniti (Tunisia) as Third Vice President, and Leocadie Ndacayizaba (Burundi) as Fourth Vice President.
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) hailed Mukami’s election as a landmark achievement, describing it as “a proud moment for Kenya and a testament to her exemplary leadership.”
“Your elevation to lead the Women’s Caucus Bureau of the Seventh Legislature is a proud moment for Kenya and a testament to your exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing women’s voices in governance,” KEWOPA said in a statement Tuesday.
The association added that Mukami’s new role positions her to champion gender equality and strengthen women’s participation in decision-making across the continent.
Mukami’s rise adds to her growing profile within PAP. In 2024, PAP President Fortune Zephania Charumbira appointed her as his senior advisor, further cementing her influence within the continental body.
More from Kenya
She is among Kenya’s five representatives to PAP, alongside Joseph Majimbo, Danson Mungatana, Esther Passaris and Margaret Kamar.
The Kenyan delegation was approved by the Senate in November 2022.
Established in 2004 and headquartered in Johannesburg, PAP brings together 275 lawmakers from across the continent, serving as a key platform for debate and policy direction within the African Union framework.
Mukami now assumes office at a time when calls for increased inclusion of women in leadership are gaining momentum across Africa, placing her at the centre of efforts to shape the continent’s governance agenda.