Sidney Farrar

Sidney Mary Catherine Anne Farrar (17 April 1900 – 1987) was a British settler in Kenya and the first woman elected to the Legislative Council of Kenya.

Early life Farrar was born in London, to Sidney Hobart-Hampden-Mercer-Henderson, 7th Earl of Buckinghamshire and his wife Georgiana.

In 1924 she married Captain Thomas Innes Farrar, a war veteran, in London, and in 1926 they moved to a farm in Kenya, settling at Mau Summit. In 1934, Thomas died leaving Farrar alone with their son Thomas.

In 1932, she established the Kenyan branch of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. Their role expanded as result of the Second World War, and their name changed to the Women's Territorial Service. She held the seat of Nyanza until 1942.

Sidney was also a prominent member of the East Africa Women’s League and served as its president between 1953 and 1954. During her presidency the EAWL was asked to take a census on the need for Primary day schools in rural areas and as a result of this several schools were opened. She later became Chairman of the National Council of Women in Kenya.