Anne Waiguru, born Anne Mumbi Waiguru alias “Minji Minji” is a superwoman pushing beyond the limits to set a good example in society and secure a better place for women in leadership. Waiguru is a well-known Kenyan politician serving as Kirinyaga’s Governor.
Being one of the three Women governors in Kenya Waiguru has gained political millage in such a short period of time. The young-looking governor once served as Minister for devolution before joining politics.
Waiguru has only served for one term and she is ready and steady to defend her seat in the upcoming election. Waiguru will be running on a UDA ticket, a party she initially criticized but later decamped to it after what she termed as “the ground has decided.”
Anne Waiguru Age and Place of Birth
The Kirinyaga governor was born on April 16th, 1971 and she will be turning 51 in April.
Anne Waiguru Family
Waiguru was born in Nairobi as the last born in a family of four. Her father worked in the public service while her mother was a businessperson.
Her family was juggling from the City to the village where she got the experience of both sides of the country.
Husband and Kids
Waiguru got married in the mid-1990s to lawyer Tony Waiguru, and the two were blessed with three kids Don Waiguru, Dan Waiguru and Ron Waiguru. The two later went their separate ways in 2005 due to marital issues but Anne still maintained Tony’s name as her last name.
Despite her first marriage hitting the rocks, Waiguru never lost hope in building a home. In 2019, she officiated her union with a Veteran lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo. The two officiated their union in a cultural wedding aligning with Kikuyu culture.
Anne Waiguru Education
Anne began her schooling at Nairobi River Primary School situated in Buruburu. After that, she joined Precious Blood Girls, Riruta where she emerged as one of the top students nationally.
For her higher education, she joined Egerton University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and home economics. After that, she joined the University of Nairobi where she pursued her master’s in the same course.
Anne Waiguru Salary and Net Worth
Her actual net salary and Net worth are still unclear at the moment.
Career
The iron lady began her career as an intern working at Transparency International. After that, she began she started contributing to the public service reform secretariat.
Waiguru then landed a job in the National Treasury working as head of governance and the economic stimulus programme. Through persistence and hard work, she kept climbing the career ladder step by step.
From National Treasury, she went straight ahead to working as a director of International Financial Management & Information System (IFMIS). Moreover, before her appointment as Cabinet Minister, she was working at the Public Procurement Oversight Authority Advisory Board.
In 2011, she was named among the top 40 under 40 as a result of her successful career.
Political Career
In 2013 Waiguru landed one country’s top job after she was appointed to serve as a Cabinet Secretary of devolution by President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta who had just won his first term in office.
Being appointed in such a position she earned public attention and people were keen on her projects. As a minister, she supervised the establishment of the Huduma Center she also played a huge role in reviving the National Youth Service.
However, her good work later turned against her, and all over she was hitting the headlines topping in all leading newspapers due to the Ksh 791million NYS corruption scandal. According to reports, the money was transacted through forgery which included an additional Ksh 695 million.
The case corned her and she was left with no other option other than stepping down from her position. Due to the high pressure from the public and personal attacks, her doctor advised her not to strain instead handle lighter duties.
Governorship
After two years she returned to the political scene but this time around she was vying for an elective position. The mother of three joined hands with Jubilee Party in 2017 and vied for a gubernatorial seat in Kirinyaga County.
Considering her natural beauty she earned the name “Minji Minji” gaining national wide attention as well as popularity. Waiguru clinched the seat becoming the first woman to serve as a governor in Kirinyaga and of the three women governors in the country.
Three years down the line scandals accompanied her as she was accused of misappropriation of public funds. As a result, MCA assembled to throw her out of the government through an impeachment motion.
23 MCA’s out of 33 voted for her impeachment and forwarded her to the Senate for finalization of the impeachment. At the senate, she left all the defending work to her Husband Kamotho who did the assignment as required.
After a long process, the Senate Committee containing 11 Senators found out the allegation didn’t have enough evidence to impeach her.
2022 Election Bid
Waiguru is among the leaders who listen keenly to her people in terms of political direction and wave. Waiguru was one of the most die-hard supporters of Raila Odinga and she was appointed to be his chief campaigner in the Mt. Kenya region.
Waiguru was a number criticize of William Ruto with her famous quote “You Can Rent a Kikuyu but You Cannot Buy a Kikuyu.” On 26th October 2021, she noticed the mass was going against her and the ground was Yellow and she had to reconsider her decision.
Waiguru decamped to Dp’s camp pushing her opponent Wangui Ngirici aside. Before joining the party Ngirici was the one representing Kirinyaga In UDA. After Waiguru’s arrival, she ditched the party and decided to be an independent candidate.