In the first term of the Jubilee administration, former President Uhuru Kenyatta tasked many men and women with reputable backgrounds to lead various ministerial dockets.
Notably, one of those who was tasked with leadership as the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning was Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
At the time, little was known of the public servant, however, just within months, she captured the attention of Kenyans with the remarkable transformation and the rollout of Huduma Centers.
This is the profile and rise of Anne Waiguru
Read More
Pre-Jubilee Era
Unknown to many, Waiguru worked in government before her appointment to the Cabinet. In particular, she served as a Technical Advisor for Public Sector Reforms in former President Mwai Kibaki's government.
She landed the role as a technical advisor following her secondment to government by notable organisations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
After serving as an advisor, she joined the National Treasury as Head of Governance.
Following her remarkable contributions to the Treasury, she became the Head of the Economic Stimulus Programme and oversaw the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS) working as a Director.
Additionally, she has also served in the private sector including working as a Principal Research Analyst at Transparency International – Kenya.
Waiguru also consulted for the National Council of NGOs and worked for the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC).
Cabinet
In 2013, Waiguru was entrusted with leading the first Devolution and Planning docket under the new constitutional dispensation.
She was tasked with coordinating activities between the National Government and the 47 county governments that had just been established.
Owing to the push for decentralised services and resources, Waiguru and her team in the Ministry came up with a strategy for Huduma Centers and implemented it across the country.
The main objective of the centres was to ease the burden of Kenyans who were often required to travel to Nairobi to access government services.
in recognition of this programme, Kenya was recognized with the 2015 United Nations Public Service Award.
Currently, there are over 50 Huduma Centres across the country offering services of IDs, immigration and driving licences among others.
Politics
After exiting the Cabinet, Waiguru threw her hat in the ring of politics and vied for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat in 2017.
Following her success in the county, she successfully defended her seat in the 2022 elections.
"She initiated infrastructure, system, and human development programs, with the ultra-modern Kerugoya Level Five Hospital as a flagship project," read part of her profile on the website.
"Additionally, her Agriculture Stimulus program, "Wezesha", has supported thousands of households, contributing to economic empowerment."
Notably, she also became the first female Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG).
"As Chairperson of the Council of Governors, she has fostered improved relations between the council and national government leadership. Anne Waiguru's strategic vision is encapsulated in the G7 Strategy, which aims to support the reelection and increase the number of elected women governors, furthering the promise of devolution in Kenya."
"With her dedication to service and advocacy for gender equality, Anne envisions a future where such equality is no longer an aspiration but a reality in Kenya," read her profile in part.
Given her success story in Kirinyaga, she has even been fronted as one of the candidates to become the Deputy President should the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua be completed.
Accolades
In recent years, the governor has been recognised locally and internally for her initiatives in leadership and empowering youth and women.
She is a recipient of the Amujae Leader Award. She received the award in 2021 from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Leadership.
This year, she was also named the political trailblazer of the year at the East African Women of Excellence Awards.
Other awards and recognition include Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Women in Kenya (2011).
Waiguru's Education and Family
The governor has a vast background in agriculture and economics. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and Home Economics from Egerton University.
Later, she joined the University of Nairobi to further her studies and obtained a Master’s degree in Economic Policy.
Waiguru is married to lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo and they have a blended family of six children and three grandchildren.
