Martin Nyaga Wambora was the first Governor for Embu County, having first won the seat in March 2013 on a TNA (The National Alliance) ticket.
He made history by becoming the first Kenyan Governor to be impeached twice. Despite these challenges, Wambora successfully contested his impeachment and was re-elected in 2017.
His political career also includes serving as the Member of Parliament for Runyenjes Constituency from 2003 to 2007. Wambora’s career extends beyond politics, having also served as the chairman of the Kenya Airports Authority.
Early Life and Education
Martin Wambora was born on 9th April 1951 in Embu County. Growing up in a rural setting, he developed a strong sense of community and responsibility towards his fellow citizens.
Primary Education: He began his education at Muragari Primary School in Mukuuri Location, Runyenjes Constituency.
Undergraduate Studies: Wambora holds a a B.Sc. in political science from Makerere University in Uganda.
Postgraduate Studies: He furthered his studies in the United States, where he earned an MBA from the University of Hartford and a postgraduate diploma in public management and rural development from the University of Connecticut.
Career and Political Journey
District Officer (1976 – 1984): Wambora’s career started in public administration, where he served as a district officer under the Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security.
District Commissioner (1984 – 1987): He then rose to the position of District Commissioner in Baringo and Laikipia, and was later promoted to deputize the Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner.
Runyenjes MP (2003 – 2007): Wambora was elected as the Member of Parliament for Runyenjes Constituency. He contested on a NARC (National Rainbow Coalition) ticket.
First Embu Governor (2013 – 2017): He was elected as the first Governor of Embu County on a TNA Party ticket, after garnering 94,471 votes. Kithinji Kiragu (Alliance Party of Kenya) emerged second with 89,516 votes.
Second Term (2017 – 2022): Wambora was re-elected in 2017 after overcoming numerous political and legal challenges in the first term. He defeated Cecily Mbarire in the Jubilee Party nominations, and went on to win the seat after garnering 97,544 votes. His closes competitor Lenny Kivuti received 96,597 votes, while Kithinji Kiragu (PNU) emerged third with 50,590.
2022 Senate Race: In August 2022, Wambora unsuccessfully contested for the Embu Senate seat. He garnered 13,523 votes, coming fifth in a list of 12 contestants. The seat was won by the Democratic Party (DP) candidate Alexander Mundigi, who garnered 81,162 votes. David Kariuki (UDA – 55,695 votes), Lilian Mbogo (Jubilee – 22,851 votes) and Njeru Ndwiga (Independent – 17,111 votes) came second, third and fourth respectively.
UMP Party Loss: Wambora suffered double tragedy in the August 2022 elections as his Umoja Na Maendeleo Party (UMP) failed to clinch any seat across the country. The party had fielded several MCA and MP candidates in Embu and other Mount Kenya counties.
Achievements
Award Winner, KAA: During his tenure as the chairman of the Kenya Airports Authority, Wambora led the organization to win two prestigious airport industry awards in 2011.
First Governor, Embu County: As the first Governor of Embu County, Wambora implemented various development projects and infrastructural improvements, although his tenure was marred by political turbulence.
Full Term Governor: Wambora’s resilience in overcoming multiple impeachment attempts is a notable achievement in his political career. His eventual re-election in 2017 was a testament of the trust and confidence by Embu people in his abilities.
Chairman, Trade Committee: Despite his political disturbance, Wambora successfully chaired the Trade committee at the Council of Governors from 2020 to 2021.
Elected CoG Chairperson: On 29th January 2021, the Council of Governors picked Martin Wambora as the fifth chairman, deputized by Kisii Governor James Ongwae. He succeeded Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Re-elected CoG Chairperson: On 27th January 2022, Wambora was re-elected CoG chairman. James Ongwae (Kisii) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) were elected as his deputies.
Family Life
Marriage: Governor Martin Wambora got married to Teresia Muthoni in the 1970s. Teresia is a medical doctor who kept a low profile during her husband’s early life in elective politics. She however surfaced during his impeachment troubles, always appearing with him in the court proceedings. Teresia speaks fluent Kiembu, Kimbeere and Kikuyu languages.
Children: Wambora and Teresia are blessed with four children. Irene Wambora is the firstborn daughter, a tourism management specialist who runs the family’s Countryview Downtown Hotel on the Embu-Meru road. Mukami Wambora is a news anchor, a trained lawyer with a passion for sports journalism. Chris Wambora is an IT specialist in Nairobi. Charles Wambora, the youngest, lives in Sydney, Australia, having graduated from Curtin University.
Wealth/Net Worth
Martin Wambora’s exact net worth is not publicly documented. As a high-ranking politician and former chairman of a major state corporation, it is presumed that he has accumulated substantial wealth.
His positions in public service and politics have likely contributed to his financial status, although specific figures are not available.
Controversies
Martin Wambora is popularly known as the Governor with nine lives, having survived an onslaught of four impeachments from Embu MCAs in 2014. Two of these impeachments were approved by the Senate, but Wambora successfully challenged them in court.
First Impeachment: On 28th January 2014, the Embu County Assembly impeached Governor Wambora, accusing him of among other things, embezzling Ksh 35 million on maize seeds that never germinated. On 14th February 2014, a total of 39 senators voted to uphold his impeachment. However, Wambora successfully challenged the process in court, and was reinstated on 16th April 2014.
Second Impeachment: On 29th May 2014, Wambora was impeached again by Embu MCAs on grounds of flouting the County Government Act by making appointments without approval. He again sought refuge at the High Court, which upheld his impeachment on 12th February 2015. However, this decision was nullified by the Court of Appeal on 11th December 2015.
Disowned by Elders: On 22nd September 2015, the Embu council of elders (Nyangi Ndereri) publicly disowned Wambora. Led by their chairman Andrew Ireri, the elders accused Wambora of ingratitude despite their support during his impeachments. They cited his evasion of meetings and failure to address their grievances.
Contentious 2017 Victory: Martin Wambora won the Jubilee Party ticket in April 2017 and was re-elected as Governor on August 8. This victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, having been challenged by Lenny Kivuti. However, the Supreme Court overturned the decision by the Appellate Court, and upheld Wambora’s win.
Advisor Payment Dispute: On 21st August 2018, Governor Wambora was ordered to pay Sh1.9 million to his former political advisor, Joshua Mugo Kanake. With a salary of Sh160,270 per month, Kanake had not been paid from November 2016 to February 2017. The court awarded him Sh520,878 for the withheld salary, Sh30,000 for unpaid leave days, and Sh1,379,497 for gratuity.
We bring you the latest News updates from Mt. Kenya Region and beyond. We are the leading Mt. Kenya News outlet in the country.
