Anne Mumbi Waiguru is currently serving her second term as Kirinyaga Governor, having first been elected in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket. She was reelected in 2022 on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
With a background in economics and public administration, Waiguru has held various key positions in both the civil service and government. This includes serving as a Cabinet Secretary and technical advisor to the Cabinet.
Her career has been shrouded by several controversies, including serious allegations of corruption and impeachment attempts. However, Waiguru maintains that she is a victim of political attacks, and remains committed to improving the lives of Kirinyaga residents.
Early Life and Education
Early Life: Anne Waiguru, born on 16th April 1971 at Pumwani Hospital, has her roots in Ngariama, Kirinyaga County. Her upbringing was shaped by her family’s values and experiences, with her father serving as a Police Officer and her mother as a businesswoman. Waiguru grew up alongside her two sisters and one brother, fostering close familial bonds and a sense of responsibility from an early age.
Primary Education: Waiguru’s educational journey began in Nairobi, where she attended Nairobi River Primary School in Buruburu. Despite the urban setting, she maintained a connection to her rural roots, spending holidays back in the village engaging in farming activities, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and appreciation for agriculture.
Secondary Education: Waiguru enrolled at Precious Blood Riruta, one of Kenya’s premier schools at the time. Her academic prowess was evident as she emerged third countrywide in O Level examinations. Subsequently, she pursued her A Levels at Moi Forces Academy, further demonstrating her commitment to academic success.
Father’s Death: Waiguru’s pursuit of knowledge was not without challenges, as her father fell ill when she was just nine years old, eventually leading to his departure from work. He died when she was18, marking a significant loss in her life.
University Education: Anne Waiguru is a distinguished alumna of Egerton University, where she completed her undergraduate studies. Additionally, she holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Policy from the University of Nairobi, further enriching her academic background and expertise in public policy and governance.
These formative years laid the foundation for her future endeavors as a leader and public servant, setting her on a path to becoming one of Kenya’s most prominent female political figures.
Career
Anne Waiguru began her career in the civil service, where she held various positions in the National Treasury and served as a Technical Advisor to the Cabinet. During this time, she honed her skills in public finance management, policy formulation and strategic planning.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary: In 2013, Waiguru transitioned into politics and was appointed as the CS for Devolution and Planning by President Uhuru Kenyatta. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in the establishment of county governments in Kenya.
Resignation from Cabinet: Despite her efforts, Waiguru’s tenure as Cabinet Secretary was marred by allegations of corruption, mainly the NYS scandal. In 2015, after a failed impeachment motion sponsored by Mithika Linturi, she resigned from her position, while still maintaining her innocence.
Kirinyaga Gubernatorial Elections: Undeterred by the NYS controversy, Waiguru returned to politics and successfully contested the gubernatorial elections in Kirinyaga County in 2017. Her historic victory made her the first female Governor of Kirinyaga, breaking the gender barriers in Kenyan politics.
2022 Gubernatorial Elections: Waiguru successfully defended her seat in the August 2022 general elections, running on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. She garnered 113,088 votes, narrowly beating Purity Ngirici, an Independent candidate who got 105,677 votes.
CoG Chairperson: In September 2022, Governor Waiguru was elected as the new Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG). Hailed as a visionary leader, Waiguru is the first woman to be elected as the Council Chairperson in Kenya. In October 2023, she was unanimously for a second term, alongside Governor Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir as the Vice Chairperson.
Achievements
Anne Waiguru’s contributions to Kenya’s governance and politics have been significant. Some of her notable achievements include:
1. Healthcare Reforms: Anne Waiguru’s administration prioritized healthcare reforms in Kirinyaga County, resulting in significant improvements. One notable achievement is the construction of the Kerugoya Medical Complex, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility that provides essential medical services to residents. Additionally, her government established 21 dispensaries and health centers across the county, ensuring greater access to quality healthcare for residents in remote areas.
2. Infrastructure Development: Under Waiguru’s leadership, Kirinyaga County has witnessed substantial upgrades to its transport and infrastructure networks. These include Roads, bridges and an industrial park aimed at attracting investors and promoting local manufacturing industries.
3. Women Empowerment: Through initiatives like the Wezesha Mama Program, Waiguru’s administration has provided support and resources to women entrepreneurs. One notable aspect of this program is the facilitation of women tailors to produce hospital apparel for purchase by the county government.
4. Visionary Policy Framework: Waiguru’s leadership developed the Mountain Cities Blueprint, a policy framework outlining a 15-year visionary agenda for sustainable development in Kirinyaga. This document serves as a roadmap for guiding development initiatives, resource allocation and investments in the county.
5. Leadership and Role Modeling: Anne Waiguru’s tenure as the first female Governor of Kirinyaga County broke the gender barriers. To date, her story inspires other women to pursue leadership positions in politics and beyond. Her resilience has positioned her as a role model for women leaders and aspiring politicians in Kenya and beyond.
Family Life
In July 2019, Anne Waiguru got married to her long-time partner, lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo, in a lavish traditional ceremony. The couple, who had been in a relationship for many years, exchanged vows in a traditional Kikuyu wedding known as ‘ngurario‘ at Kiamugumo Primary School in Ngariama Ward, Gichugu Sub County.
The ceremony was attended by close friends and family members, as well as prominent political figures, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Anne Waiguru is blessed with three children, who have been a source of inspiration throughout her career. Despite her demanding schedule, Waiguru makes time for her family and cherishes moments spent with them.
Wealth
Anne Waiguru’s wealth is estimated to be significant, with her declared assets totaling approximately Sh. 300 million as of 2018.
Among her notable investments are rental apartments in Mlolongo along Mombasa Road, which she developed using a Ksh 50 million bank loan in 2013.
Additionally, Waiguru owns residential properties, including a house in Kihingo Village and a palatial mansion in Kitusuru, where she currently resides. She also owns a property in Runda that she acquired before joining the government.
Furthermore, she holds two half-acre pieces of land, one located in Lukenya and another with rentable space in Sagana. Waiguru’s diverse portfolio of properties reflects her astute financial management and strategic investments in real estate, contributing to her overall wealth and financial stability.
Controversies
Anne Waiguru’s tenure in public office has not been without controversies. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. National Youth Service Scandal: During her tenure as the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, Waiguru faced allegations of corruption in the NYS. The scandal led to the loss of Ksh 1.9 billion and an attempted theft of Ksh 695 million meant for youth empowerment programs. Although Waiguru denied any wrongdoing, the scandal tarnished her reputation and led to calls for her resignation.
2. Irregular Awarding of Tenders: In October 2021, Waiguru was on the EACC radar regarding the irregular payment of Ksh 52.8 million to GeoAcres Survey Limited for land subdivision. The commission revealed that Waiguru’s administration awarded the Ksh 4,500 per acre tender to a firm that was not registered with the Land Survey Board. Moreover, EACC argued that the intended payment was significantly overstated, with the actual tender value estimated at Ksh 20.4 million.
3. Impeachment by MCAs: Anne Waiguru survived an impeachment motion by Kirinyaga MCAs in June 2020. The MCAs accused the governor of abuse of office, gross misconduct and undermining their authority. The Senate dismissed the impeachment motion, and ruled that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
4. Ranked Second Most Corrupt: In 2018, Anne Waiguru found herself embroiled in controversy when she was identified as the most corrupt public official in a survey conducted by IPSOS. In the poll conducted between July 25 to August 2, Waiguru was ranked closely behind William Ruto with 31 percent of respondents identifying her as most corrupt. In response, Waiguru vehemently refuted the survey’s findings, dismissing them as baseless political propaganda orchestrated to tarnish her reputation.
5. Supremacy Wars with Rigathi Gachagua: On May 21, 2024, Anne Waiguru threw a direct jab at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of frustrating young politicians. Waiguru, Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichung’wah are among the budding Mt. Kenya leaders fighting to replace Gachagua as Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 general election.
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