Ruth Wangari Mwaniki
Ruth Wangari Mwaniki | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Assembly for Kigumo | |
| In office 31 August 2017 – 9 August 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1963 or 1964 (age 61–62) Nyeri District, Kenya |
| Political party | Jubilee Party |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (LLB) |
Ruth Wangari Mwaniki (born 1963 or 1964) is a Kenyan politician who served in the National Assembly of Kenya from 2017 until 2022. A member of the Jubilee Party, she represented the Kigumo Constituency. During her tenure, Mwaniki was a prominent supporter of President Uhuru Kenyatta and was an advocate for the Building Bridges Initiative.
Biography
[edit]Ruth Wangari Mwaniki was born in 1963 or 1964 in the Nyeri District of central Kenya. She attended the University of Nairobi, receiving a Bachelor of Laws degree. Prior to her political career, she was the chief executive officer of the Export Promotion Council and the managing director of the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union.[1][2]
Mwaniki ran for the National Assembly in the 2017 election, standing in the Kigumo Constituency as a member of the Jubilee Party. She defeated Joseph Munyoro, receiving 41,041 votes to Munyoro's 24,208.[3] During her tenure, Mwaniki was a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library select committee.[4] She was one of President Uhuru Kenyatta's most prominent allies in parliament,[5] and lobbied the government for local improvements.[3] She also advocated in favor of the Building Bridges Initiative, though most of her constituents opposed the proposal.[6]
In the 2022 election, Mwaniki faced six opponents for re-election, including Munyoro, who ran as a member of the United Democratic Alliance.[3] Mwaniki campaigned on further local improvements in infrastructure and agriculture, as well as "youth empowerment".[5] However, she was defeated by Munyoro, placing third and receiving 27,213 votes to Munyoro's 8,810.[6] The Daily Nation attributed her loss to a number of campaign errors, including her support for the locally unpopular BBI, her decision to frequently campaign with Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga, and a gaffe in which she stated she identified more with the Orange Democratic Movement than her own Jubilee Party.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kenya: Ruth Wangari Mwaniki". The Indian Ocean Newsletter. 2001-03-30. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ University of Nairobi Distinguished Alumni Database (PDF). University of Nairobi. May 7, 2021. p. 43. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c Gikandi, Boniface (March 16, 2022). "Kigumo MP Ruth Wangari Faces Six in Bid to Retain Seat". The Standard. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ Sialai, Michael R. (2017). First Session Report of the National Assembly in the 12th Parliament (PDF). Nairobi: National Assembly of Kenya. pp. 50, 54. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ a b Kung'u, Gitau wa (2022-06-16). "Hon Ruth Wangari Mwaniki Launches Her Kigumo MP Reelection Campaign with Jubilee Ticket". Mount Kenya Times. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ a b c Muiruri, Mwangi (2022-08-12). "Murang'a Women Lose a Seat in the National Assembly". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ^ Muiruri, Mwangi (2023-01-20). "How Murang'a Lost Its Glory as Kenya's Gender Champion". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
Further reading
[edit]- Kung'u, Gitau wa (11 June 2022). "The Epic of Kigumo MP Jubilee Candidate's Hon Ruth Wangari Mwaniki's Strategy". Mount Kenya Times. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.