About Anne Waiguru
Anne Waiguru Biography
Anne Waiguru was born as Anne Mumbi Waiguru in Kirinyaga County, Gichugu sub-county in the early 70s’. She is the current Governor of Kirinyaga County and a former Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Devolution and Planning.
Anne Waiguru was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 2013 as the Cabinet Secretary for devolution. She is the brains behind the establishment of Huduma Centres, places where Kenyan citizens can access government services more efficiently, as well as the 30% procurement rule, which accords at least 30 percent of all supply contracts to the government to the youth, persons with disability and women. She resigned from her post in November 2015 following an allegation of corruption in her docket.
In 2011 she was nominated as one of the Top 40 under 40 women in the country, the only nominee at the time from the Public Service.
Anne Waiguru Age
Anne Waiguru was born in 1971 in Kirinyaga County. She is 48 years as of 2019
Anne Waiguru Education Background
- Graduate student at the University of Nairobi, Masters degree in Economic Policy
- Undergraduate student at the University of Nairobi, Degree in Economic Policy
- Secondary school student at Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi- A Level
- Secondary school student at Precious Blood Riruta High School, O Level
Anne Waiguru Job History
- Jan 2008 – Now : Governor Kirinyaga county
- April 2013 – November 2015: Cabinet Secretary, Devolution and Planning
- Director, Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS),
- Technical Advisor in the Cabinet Office, Office of the President on secondment from the World Bank
- Intern and Research Assistant at Transparency International
- Senior Public Sector Manager/Assistant Vice President, at Citi-group.
- Head of Governance and the Economic Stimulus Programme at the National Treasury.
- She provided Technical Assistance to the Public Service Reform Secretariat in what was then the Cabinet Office.
Anne Waiguru Career
Ms. Anne Waiguru began her career in the public service by providing Technical Assistance to the Public Service Reform Secretariat in what was then the Cabinet Office. Since then she has variously served as the Head of Governance and the Economic Stimulus Programme at the National Treasury, Alternate to the Permanent Secretary/National Treasury in the Public Procurement Oversight Authority and Advisory Board and the Women Enterprise Fund Board.
Further, in view of her distinguished public career, she was successfully nominated two years ago as one of the Top 40 under 40 women in the country, the only nominee at the time from the Public Service.
Ms. Anne Waiguru has her academic background and experience in Economics and Public Policy. She holds a Masters degree in Economic Policy from the University of Nairobi and has specialized experience in public finance, financial management systems, public service reform, capacity building, and governance.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Waiguru was the Director, Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS), and, Head of Governance at the National Treasury. She served briefly as a Senior Public Sector Manager/Assistant Vice President, at Citi-group. Previously, Ms. Waiguru served as a Technical Advisor in the Cabinet Office, Office of the President on secondment from the World Bank.
Ms. Waiguru has been published and has served as the Alternate to the Permanent Secretary National Treasury in the Public Procurement Oversight Authority Advisory Board, and, the Women Enterprise Fund Board.
She won the 2017 general election beating the incumbent Governor of Kirinyaga to become the new/current Governor of Kirinyaga county.
Ann Waiguru Profile (Private Life)
When she is not busy at work, Anne Waiguru likes reading, traveling dancing and spending time with her three sons Ian, Don, and Wabu.
Quite the role model she inspires a sense of success in many young ladies in leadership who would love to be in her position one day.
Anne Waiguru Family and Children
Anne Waiguru is a proud mother of three sons, Ian who is 19, Don who is 16 and Wabu who is 11
Anne Waiguru ChildrenAnne Waiguru Husband
Anne Waiguru is married to the love of her life city lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo. The two lovebirds were married in a Kikuyu traditional wedding (ngurario). The ceremony took place on July 13, 2019 in Kirinyanga county at Kiamugumo primary school.
Anne Waiguru HusbandAnn Waiguru Wealth and Net worth
Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has for the first time moved to declare her wealth, insisting that she did not benefit in any way from fraudulent transactions at the National Youth Service (NYS).
In an exclusive interview with Citizen TV’s Hussein Mohamed, Waiguru said she is worth Sh160 million with liabilities that total to Sh80 million.
“In terms of assets, including this house which is on loan, I’m worth Sh160 million and the liabilities total to Sh80 million. The net value is, therefore, nothing to write home about,” she said.
Waiguru dispelled claims that she had enriched herself from proceeds of corruption at the NYS saying she owned most of the things she has way before joining the government.
“I lived in Runda before I joined the government and I own a house there. I also drove a Mercedes Benz before joining government so there is no way I could have benefited from fraudulent transactions at the NYS,” she stated.
“I worked at the World Bank and as the assistant vice president at Citi Group before joining government so the things I own were acquired legally.”
Asked whether she was ready for a lifestyle audit, Waiguru said: “EACC is already carrying out a lifestyle audit on me and they have picked documents from our home that pertain to our lives.”
The former CS noted that her house located in Kitusuru was bought under a mortgage plan for cabinet secretaries on a 3 percent interest rate for 20 years.
She refuted claims that she bought three houses and paid in cash saying: “My house is not paid for and it did not cost Sh150 million, only the deposit has been paid.”
Waiguru stated that she was saddened by personal attacks on her children; refuting claims on social media that one of her sons owned an Austin Martin that he was pictured next to.
“My son is an ordinary teenager and would get a ride from people. We don’t own the car, we can’t even dream of owning it because it is very expensive. People go to motor shows and take pictures next to cars; it does not mean they own them,” she quipped.
She said reports on social media that she owns malls in different parts of the country are false, revealing that she too bargains during shopping.
“I do not pay more than Sh2,500 for my shoes and I bargain for every delivery. We declare our wealth after every two years in government and we did it when we were appointed into the cabinet so my records are available.”
“I wear the same jewelry that I have been wearing for the past six or seven years and people can see the same since my photos have been posted severally on social media.”
She clarified that she helped stop a planned theft of Sh800 million from the ministry, saying the investigations led to the revelation of Sh791 million lost through fraudulent dealings with certain companies.
Waiguru said the challenges she faced during her time at the ministry and the battles she fought have made her a stronger person.
“It was a tough moment for me, but you cannot come out of such fire the same. I am stronger now than I was before and I am not naive anymore. I used to trust many people, but now I am very keen on who I trust,” stated Waiguru.
10 things you did not know about Anne Waiguru
- Ann Waiguru was born in Kirinyaga County, Gichugu sub-county in the early 70s’. She attended Precious Blood Riruta High School and later sat for her A-Level exams in 1989 at the Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi where she studied Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Ann Waiguru took her undergraduate studies at the University of Nairobi and later graduated with a Masters’ Degree in Economic Policy from the same University.
- She was nominated among 40 under 40 women in 2011 and was the only nominee at that time from the Public Service.
- Her hobbies include reading, traveling and dancing
- Before her nomination as a Cabinet Secretary, she had previously worked as the Director, Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS), and, Head of Governance at the National Treasury.
- Ann Waiguru was honored with an Order Grand Warrior title by President Mwai Kibaki due to her exemplary performance at the Integrated Financial Management and Information System where she led her team to win three Awards for good Performance in the Public Service.
- She describes herself as a person who never stands mediocrity especially at a place of work. For this reason, she says, people think she is tough and arrogant.
- Waiguru is a mother of three teenage sons who she talks highly about. It is not clear whether she is married or not.
- Ann Waiguru has previously worked with President Uhuru Kenyatta under different Ministries.
- Waiguru interned at Transparency International. She also worked as a research assistant.
Five interesting things you did not know about Anne Waiguru
Anne Waiguru is the current governor of Kirinyaga County after being elected on the August 8th elections. She also served as the first Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution and planning which was involved the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal.
- I love music and I dance… but in the house. We dance in rallies but for me, it is something I like to do generally. My most favorite track Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. I also listen to every Kikuyu song as I a typical villager.
- I am not extravagant. What I used to like is handbags but I don’t get the opportunity to buy them anymore. If I see a very nice bag or unique color I will buy it. The problem is you won’t get to carry it. Women do such kinds of things. At that point, it looks like the best thing ever then when you get home it is no longer exciting as you thought.
- Generally, I don’t trust people so I don’t acquire new friends and I don’t call acquaintances friends. My friends are from school-days mostly.
- My doctor thinks I eat a lot of fried meat. Do you know of any other place with meat as good as Kamaki’s along the Southern bypass?
- I live a very simple life. If I am not in the office I am at home so my kids see me more than most parents see their children.
Anne Waiguru House
Anne Waiguru_houseAnne Waiguru Contacts
Anne Waiguru Twitter
Anne Waiguru Instagram
Anne Waiguru Interview
exclusive interview with Citizen TV’s Hussein Mohamed
Ann Waiguru News
Before Waiganjo, Tony Waiguru was Anne Waiguru Husband
Love is in the air, its sweet aroma wafting across the Mwea rice fields like the pishori that lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo will be devouring when he weds Governor Anne Waiguru and becomes the First Gentleman of Kirinyaga County.
Few however know that Waiguru is not her father’s name – it is the name Anne Mumbi assumed when she wed the first love of her life: Tony. Interviews with people close to the couple paint a picture of a social, easy-going man who deeply loved his wife.
“Tony used to think the world started and ended with Anne. He loved her to bits, and wanted everyone to know she is his wife. He usually was and is still very proud of the achievements of the mother of his children,” says a friend.
A source intimates that even though Tony’s law firm is thriving and doing brisk business, Anne still bought him a BMW X5 as a gift a few years back, a sign that the two have long buried the torment and bitterness that accompanies most bitter divorces.
“She even bought him a townhouse in Kiambu and at one point, refurbished his entire office. It’s not that Tony can’t afford it, but they are friends and she likes gifting him things,” added the source.
Tony and Anne met in the mid-90s at the Nairobi Lighthouse Church, where both worshipped.
Anne grew up in Kariobangi North in Nairobi’s Eastlands with her family, before joining Precious Blood High School, and finally Egerton University. Tony, on the other hand, had led a privileged life from birth. His father was a loaded MP from Murang’a. Tony studied law in India.
“Tony’s family is pretty well-off, but they don’t show off. All of them are staunch Christians who serve in the church,” says our source, who has known the family for decades.
Both Anne and Tony were pious and humble; the perfect saved couple who strongly believed in their faith. They didn’t party at nightclubs and were teetotallers.
“Anne met Tony and it was love at first sight. Everybody was really jealous of him. He had the most beautiful girlfriend in town. She was humble, very intelligent and extremely beautiful. She even had a gap between her front teeth,” revealed our source.
“Everybody thought Tony was a lucky man to have married such a beauty.”
Back then, just like today, Anne was assertive.
“At one point, Anne wasn’t happy with some issues at Nairobi Lighthouse Church, where her husband’s brother was a pastor. She raised it and when they couldn’t agree, she quit the church and started going to Karura Community Church, which was then a project of Nairobi Chapel,” reveals a close friend.
It was at Karura Community Church that Anne first met city lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo, who was a member of the church’s Elders Court.
As Anne rose through the ranks, cracks in their marriage began. Close friends say between 2003 and 2004 when Anne worked for economist Dr David Ndii’s Kenya Leadership Institute in Nairobi, the strain in their marriage was palpable.
Our source recalls: “Waiguru was an ambitious and hard worker. Tony was laid back and wasn’t the type of man to engage in the cutthroat world of clambering up career ladders. He had money, he was comfortable and didn’t see the need to strain. On the other hand, his wife Anne was extremely ambitious and nothing could stand in her way.
“She got her work done so well, never let any hurdles stop her, straining to deliver at work, and still be in the lives of her three children. She would go home early, do all the wifely duties, put the children to bed, then get back to work until midnight.
“At five in the morning, she would be up again. Anne was unstoppable,” our source added.
By the time she was seconded to the World Bank, the marriage had broken down and Tony, whose office was at Queensway building in Nairobi, had stopped going to work.
He moved out of their Runda home and went to live in the servants’ quarters of his twin brother’s house in Ngumo estate.
“Anne was battling her divorce, the weight of parenting without her husband and the extreme pressures of her job. It was a miracle she didn’t break down. She started focusing all her energy on three things: Her children, her work and the church.
“Meanwhile, it took Tony about six months to shake off the divorce and re-establish his law firm. The divorce was very acrimonious and the two weren’t on talking terms,” the source revealed.
But when Anne was elevated to Cabinet secretary for Devolution, the two met and ironed out their differences. They are now in talking terms and are actually good friends, each having moved on with their lives.
Source: sde.co.ke
Anne Waiguru Wealth: Anne Waiguru reveals the properties she actually owns
Updated: 30.08.2018
Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has denied owning any building in Nairobi’s CBD.
Speaking to Jeff Koinange on Monday’s JKL Show, Waiguru laughed off the allegations while welcoming President Uhuru’s calls for lifestyle audit on public servants in a bid to curb rampant corruption.
“There have been lots of stories on social media about what I own. I don’t own anything on Luthuli Avenue,” said Waiguru.
The first-time governor also denied owning several other properties among them a lakeside hotel in Taita, an estate in Karen, a building on Ngong Road, a mall, as well as matatus and buildings in Murang’a County.
She also refuted claims that she owns 200 acres of land in Nanyuki while claiming “I don’t even own a quarter acre anywhere.”
Properties owned by Anne Waiguru
During the interview, Governor Waiguru, however, admitted to owning several properties among them a house in Kihingo Village, Kitusuru where she currently resides.
“I also own a house in Runda, which I had before joining the government,” she revealed.
Anne Waiguru at her residence in Kihingo Village, Kitusuru. The entrance gate to the gated community (right)
Waiguru further stated that she owns property at Mlolongo along Mombasa Road which she developed using a bank loan.
“I took a loan of Sh50 million in 2013,” said the governor, while revealing that she’s paying the loan.
Ann Waiguru also said that she owns two half-acre pieces of land, one in Lukenya and another with a rentable space in Sagana.
Anne Waiguru and lifestyle audit
Regarding President Uhuru’s calls for a lifestyle audit on all government officials and their families earlier this year, Waiguru stated that EACC officials had already conducted the audit on her.
“EACC has done my lifestyle audit and I don’t mind if they make it public…The people who are corrupt imagine everybody is doing exactly what they are doing,” she said, distancing herself from corruption allegations.
Ann Waiguru son started an IT business without her Help
In 2016 the then Cabinet Secretary of Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru shocked students of Nairobi University after she revealed she was paid Sh6, 000 on her first job.
Waiguru who was delivering a speech to the students, encouraged them to enter the job market without money in mind.
“Everyone has to start from somewhere. Youths should pursue opportunities and even do volunteer work in society,” she said, adding that she started as a volunteer in church before getting her first job.
“I was being paid Sh6, 000 which doubled to Sh12, 000 gradually. It was little money then because I had friends who were being paid a lot more,” she said, citing hard work and determination as the secrets of her success.
“I have never had anyone make a call for me to get a job. Not even for CS,” she said.
Waiguru revealed that her 19- year-old-son started an IT business without her help.
“I encouraged him to start doing something instead of sitting in the house and watching TV. Before I knew it, he had organised an IT forum and he did not let me talk at the event,” she said.
Ann Waiguru: The ‘Minji Minji’ Euphoria
Updated: 15.07.2017
According to the Urban Dictionary, Minji stands for “a very, very cool girl” while in Asia, the word means “a new breed of cute penguins.”
But I bet the people of Kirinyaga have none of the above definitions in mind whenever they chant the “Minji Minji” slogan. To them, it’s all local.
Minji is a Kikuyu word which means peas and in Kirinyaga politics it is a moniker for Jubilee governorship candidate Anne Waiguru.
Without sounding prejudicial, Waiguru’s light complexion, good looks, newness in the political scene and fresh ideas are the core basis for the byname; but don’t take my word for it.
In a feature dubbed Kirinyaga Battle Royales, aired on Citizen TV on Sunday, one of the residents, Peter Wambugu, claimed that Waiguru perfectly fits the tag.
“Minji minji is something soft and sweet but ndengu ndengu (which is used to refer to Martha Karua) is tough and does not cook well. That is why we refer to Waiguru as Minji,” he said.
The appellation has turned into a movement, especially among the youth in Mwea, Ndia, Kirinyaga Central, and Gichugu constituencies, with “Minji Minji” songs released by musicians in Kirinyaga magnifying the wave.
What began as a simple nickname has now turned into a county anthem with Waiguru’s new campaign model that embraces personal interaction with her supporters working to her advantage.
Unlike her competitors who have chosen to stick to the traditional arm’s length campaign model, Waiguru has been seen freely mingling with her supporters, purchasing goods in the markets, picking tea with farmers and even taking long walks to her rally venues in what has evidently endeared her more to the people.
And so, if the current euphoria is anything to go by, then Kirinyaga is going the “Minji Minji” way!
Source: Citizen Digital
Anne Waiguru Appointment to Cabinet
Ms. Anne Waiguru is the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and Planning and is responsible for Women and Youth Affairs, Public Service Management, Northern Kenya and other Arid & Semi-Arid Lands, Special Programmes, Planning and Devolution.
Before her appointment to this position, she was the Director, Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS) at the former Ministry of Finance, where she led her team to win three Awards for Exemplary Performance in the Public Service.
In the brief period since her appointment, Ms. Ann Waiguru has overseen the successful launch of the KES six billion Uwezo Fund, the Medium Term Plan II for the period 2013-2017, Performance Contracting for Public Service Officers and the cash payment programme, that will resettle 8242 Post Election Violence IDPs and Forest Evictees.
She has also initiated a campaign dubbed ‘Beyond Bush Clearing’ to facilitate access to high-end contracts by women, youth and persons with disabilities as part of the 30% government procurement preference provision for this category.