Felicity Nkirote Biriri is a seasoned leader, entrepreneur and governance expert whose influence spans public service, institutional leadership, and private‑sector advocacy.
She currently serves as Chairperson of the Warehouse Receipt System Council – a body mandated to convert agricultural commodities into tradable assets, fostering smoother and more transparent transactions in the marketplace.
Biriri has also provided strategic oversight on the boards of key state corporations, driven environmental, gender, and social development policy, and shaped higher education governance across multiple university councils.
In the private sector, she’s championed inclusive economic growth and public‑private partnerships through her roles with KEPSA and its foundation.
Early Life and Education
Home: Felicity Biriri is a resident of Ngundune in Akithi Ward, Tigania West Constituency of Meru County, where she lives with her family.
Primary Education: Felicity Nkirote Biriri’s early education journey began in Nyeri Primary School in Nyeri County, where she successfully sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
Secondary Education: She was admitted to Limuru Girls High School in Nakuru County to continue with her education. She later joined Kaaga Girls and sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Undergraduate Studies: Felicity holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and an MBA in Conflict Resolution and Peace Management from Kenyatta University. Felicity is currently pursuing her PhD in Governance.
Career Journey
Over the years, she has distinguished herself as a multifaceted career woman, with more than 20 years experience in various sectors including real estate, banking and advertising.
Chairperson, WRSC: Felicity Biriri is currently the chair of the Warehouse Receipt System Council, a position she assumed in June 2023.
Chairperson, MCDIC: Her vast knowledge led to her appointment as the Chairperson of the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation in December 2017, a position she held until her resignation in February 2022.
Member, Assumption of the Office of the Governor Committee: She also served in this strategic county-level transition team in August 2017, ensuring a smooth and lawful handover of executive powers from Peter Munya administration to Kiraitu Murungi.
Board Member, NECC: From 2014 to 2020, Felicity served as a member of the National Environment Complaints Committee, tasked with receiving and addressing environmental complaints from the public.
Chairperson, Kenya Pipeline Defined Benefits Pension Scheme Board of Trustees: Between 2014 and 2020, she led the board overseeing the pension scheme for Kenya Pipeline Company employees.
Board Member, Kenya Pipeline Company: Felicity Nkirote also served in the Board of Directors at the Kenya Pipeline Company from 2013 to 2020, offering governance oversight to one of Kenya’s most critical state corporations.
Board Member, GDC: In 2011–2012, she was a director at the Geothermal Development Company, contributing to strategic decisions in Kenya’s renewable energy development.
Advisor, Ministry of Gender: Between 2011 and 2012, she offered her expertise in shaping policies on gender equality, children’s rights, and social protection under this ministry.
University Council Member: She brought her governance acumen to higher education through two key appointments — serving as a Council Member at Moi University from 2008 to 2017, and at the Meru University of Science and Technology from 2017 to 2020.
Governor, Gender & Social Development Sector Board, KEPSA: From 2010 to 2015, she represented private sector interests in national policy dialogue through her role at KEPSA.
Trustee, KEPSA Foundation: Since 2017, she has been serving as a Trustee of the KEPSA Foundation, guiding its mission to drive inclusive economic growth through public-private partnerships.
Vice Chairperson, FEWA: In 2013, Felicity Nkirote Biriri successfully lobbied for the establishment of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) Program. AGPO facilitates access to 30% of public procurement contracts by disadvantaged groups (Youth, Women and PWDs). The AGPO program registered 101,834 businesses owned by women, youth, and persons with disabilities by February 2019 with the total number of tenders awarded to youth, women, and PWD from 2013 to early 2019 being 106,096, amounting to about Ksh 117 billion.
Political Journey
Family Roots: Felicity Nkirote Biriri attributes her passion for community development to her late dad’s counsel in her early days. He served as the Chairman of the Meru County Council for several years.
“In my early days, I was not very interested in politics. My dad would however always talk to me about the value for education and it’s ripple effect in community development.”
Experience: On how she manages her campaigns being a new entrant into the race, Felicity says she has leant the ropes over time, having been at the forefront in several successful campaigns.
“My environment has been politics right from home. I would always campaign for my dad, who was the Chairman of the Meru County Council – at that time extending all the way to Tharaka Nithi. I have also campaigned for several leaders in Meru such as Dr. Kilemi Mwiria, Kiraitu Murungi and several MCAs.” she says.
2022 Woman Rep Contest: Felicity Biriri made an impressive debut in elective politics during the last general election, joining the Meru Woman Representative race late under the MBUS party. Despite being a newcomer and running against seasoned politicians, she emerged second with 164,780 votes – a remarkable performance that firmly established her as a serious contender on the political landscape. Her strong display against UDA’s Elizabeth Karambu Kailemia, who garnered 259,445 votes, was widely viewed as a political win for Biriri and a clear sign of her growing popularity across the county.
2027 Contest: Felicity Biriri has thrown her hat back into the ring for the 2027 Meru Woman Representative race. While she is yet to declare her party of choice, Biriri has made it clear that this time, she is starting early – and doing things differently. She has promised to listen closely to the people of Meru, engage widely across the county, and avoid the last-minute approach that cost her the seat in 2022.
Family
Family Home: Felicity Biriri hails from Mituntu sublocation in Tigania West, and takes pride in her late parents for her discipline and success.
Husband: She is married to Gregory Mwenda, a career man with a rich experience in Engineering, real estate and telecommunications.
Children: The couple is blessed with three children, all young adults – Gakii, Mwendwa and Mugai.
Parents: Felicity Biriri’s mother was a professional teacher, and she attributes her success to her discipline lessons. Her dad, a former Chairperson of the Meru County Council, mentored her into leadership.
Contacts
- Email address: felicitybiririnkirote@gmail.com
- Official Facebook Page: @Hon. Felicity Nkirote Biriri
- Official X Account: Hon Felicity Nkirote Biriri
- WhatsApp Link: Hon Felicity Nkirote Biriri
Agenda for Meru
Felicity says that her decision to delve into politics was mainly motivated by her desire to achieve unity among all the Meru leaders, noting that the wrangles characterizing Meru politics have denied residents a lot in terms of development.
“At no time have our leaders sat down on one table to chat a common path for our people. We are losing out as Meru as a result of this disunity. Having interacted with almost all Meru leaders, I offer myself as an instrument of peace.” says Felicity Biriri.
One of her major areas of concern is the water problem in Meru, and Felicity believes that although the County administration has sunk several boreholes, a united Meru leadership front can get more from the National government.
“To permanently address the water problem in Meru, we need dams the size of the ones in Thiba, Arror and Kimwarer, all national government projects. The county government can then get water from the dams and distribute to people for irrigation and home use.”
Felicity’s diverse experience in both the public and private sectors, as well as her understanding of development issues portrays her unique ability to bring about change for women, youths and all residents in Meru County. She seeks to use her expertise to strengthen existing institutions and building new ones, so that the Meru people are able to lead prosperous lives.
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