Hon James Ongwae is a Kenyan politician now governor of the Kisii County Government. The county boss has been enjoying a good support since 2007 when he first joined active politics. James Ongwae biography speaks more about his wife and family -even more on his children, house, politics, profile, and success as a high profile personality and leader.
Ongwae came back to the limelight for hosting the 2020 Mashujaa Day celebrations to expectations. This recent success indicates that his career has been taking shape over the years. Overall, his excellence James Ongwae holds a clean record of governance owing to his longstanding political career. For this reason, many look up to him for an example and inspiration.
James Ongwae profile summary
Real name: James Elvis Omariba Ongwae
Date of birth: 1952
Place of birth: Mwamonari, Marani District
James Ongwaeage: 73 years
James Ongwaetribe: Kisii
Constituency: Kitutu Chache North
James Ongwae county: Kisii County
Wife: Elizabeth Gesare Ongwae
James Ongwae children: 4 children
Profession: Public Policy Administrator
James Ongwae biography
The renowned Ongwae comes from Kitutu Chache North Constituency where he was born in 1952.
Details about James Ongwae family, education, career, and politics have been long under the covers but not any more
Education history
Ongwae attended Itierio Primary School and later Kisii High School for his secondary education.
He completed his O-level and A-levels at Kisii High before joining the University of Nairobi.
Ongwae concentrated on a Bachelors of Arts | (Hons) degree in Economics and Government.
In addition, the Kisii Governor proceeded to the The Hague in Netherlands for his postgraduate studies at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS).
It is here that Ongwae completed his master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration.
The county boss proceeded to complete a management and government postgraduate diploma at the East & Southern Africa Management Institute in Tanzania.
Career in politics
The governor has worked in several ranks and places throughout his prolific career.
More so, he now takes pride in every one of his professional and political milestone; James Ongwae biography says more.
Ongwae started working as a District officer before gaining the status of an Immigration Officer.
He went on to become a Management Analyst and then a Director of Civil Service Reform Programme. Ongwae later served in the following capacities.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President
Director of Personnel Management (DPM)
Secretary for the Teachers Service Commission
Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture)
While serving as a public servant, Ongwae promoted government initiatives and presided over different projects and committees including the following;
Maseno University council
Egerton University council
University of Nairobi council
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology council
About the same time, the governor led in Adult Education, commissions of Higher Education, and the Kenya National Examination Council.
He was equally an associate member at the Kenya Institute of Management. Ongwae was an active professional until 2005 when he retired and switched to politics.
2. Ongwae becoming the Kisii County Governor
Ongwae gave politics his first short in 2007 when he vied for the Kitutu Chache Constituency Parliamentary Seat. He lost the race only to surface again in 2010 behind the new Kenyan Constitution.
Ongwae rose to his executive position in 2013 with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
He was later re-elected to the position in the 2017 general elections and has since been serving as the area governor. He defeated opponents such as;
Chris Obure – Jubilee Party of Kenya
Patrick Lumumba of Wiper Democratic Movement
Boniface Omboto of Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC)
Omingo Magara of People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Manson Nyamweya of Kenya National Congress (KNC)
Ongwae assumed office for his second term as governor in 2017 and is still the county governor alongside the following officials.
3. Kisii County executive committee members
Mr. Vincent Sagwe
Mr. Moses O. Onderi
Mr. John Billy Momanyi
Mr. Duke Mainga Ondiba
Dr Walter Bichang’a Okibo
Mrs. Sarah Angima Omache
Mr. Esman Nyandikah Onsarigo
Mrs. Edinah Nyaboke Kangwana
Mr. Amos Andama Nyamoko
Dr. Skitter Wangeci Ocharo
4. Government of Kisii County officials
Mr. Patrick Lumumba – County Secretary
Onchari Kenani – Economic Advisor
Ms. Mogaka Biliah – Office of the Governor (Chief Officer & Chief of Staff)
The famous Joash Maangi has been serving as the second in command in Ongwae’s government.
The deputy governor is likely to take part in the Kisii County gubernatorial race come 2022.
List of James Ongwae properties
Millionaires mainly fear a tendency of people to assume that their posh properties are proceeds of corruption.
That is the case for Governor Ongwae who until recently managed to live behind the curtains.
And now, leaked photos of his three costly homes are flying on social media.
1. A gated mansion at Ongwae’s ancestral home in Rioma Village
Ongwae’s highly guarded ancestral home mansion is both classy and outstanding within Rioma Village in Kisii County.
It sits within Kitutu Chache North Constituency; about 20 kilometres from Kisii town.
The newly built home is a replacement of a now demolished house that Ongwae lived in before joining politics in 2013.
Not even the journalists and reporters visiting the governor have been able to photograph its inside-the-compound appearance.
“Who told you to take pictures here? This is a private home.”
H.E. James Omariba Ongwae.
The house is accessible from the highway by a well-carpeted murram road.
2. Multi-gate home at Simbauti Farm in Kijauri
Enclosed by a live fence and disappearing between tall trees is an imposing house that Ongwae built several years ago at Simbauti Farm in Nyamira County.
On a 15-acre piece of land is also an admirable dairy farm with several cows and chickens.
Dr Fred Matiangi is allegedly another powerful investor in Simbauti Farm.
3. James Ongwae houses in Maili Mbili paradise homestead
Located at Maili Mbili along Kisii Keroka road is another impressive house that Ongwae calls home.
This illustrious house on a raised ground is perhaps the commonest considering its strategic location near Kisii University.
James Ongwae net worth
The politician has accumulated much wealth from his profession and political career.
Ongwae takes home about Ksh 924,000 for his monthly salary.
He also bags some more income from his investments. James Ongwae net worth is estimated at Ksh 500 million.
James Ongwae contacts
Facebook
@governorjamesongwae
James Ongwae biography provides us with the life story of the celebrated inaugural Kisii governor. Indeed, he is a true Kenyan hero judging from his progressive and inclusive leadership style.
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