Janet Ongera Biography, Family, Education, Career Profile, and Wealth

Hon Janet Ongera is an experienced Kisii politician who has travelled wide and worked in high-profile offices. She brags a good reputation in her legal profession and elective positions, including Women Representative Member of Parliament. The depths of Janet Ongera biography will interest you with rare facts about her age, husband, family, and political aspirations.

Janet Ongera remains a figurehead in Gusii politics. The self-proclaimed Mama Yao, who previously worked as a nominated senator, is now an advocate and Kisii Women Representative. Ongera’s curriculum vitae reveals even more in line with her background, education, career experience, and marriage.

Janet Ongera profile summary

• Real name: Janet Ongera
• Nickname: MamaYao, Ngina Banto
• Date of birth: July 5, 1970s
• Birth sign: Cancerian
• Place of birth: Nyamache
• Ethnicity: African
• Constituency: Bobasi
• County: Kisii County
• Nationality: Kenyan (East Africa)
• Occupation: Politician
• Political Party: ODM
• Years active: 1992 to date
• Sexual orientation: Straight

Janet Ongera is famous for her position as a Kisi County Women Representative in Kenya’s National Assembly.  

Janet Ongera biography

Ongera Janet is always on the spot for all the good and wrong reasons.

While some cherish her good-hearted nature, others are busy throwing shades around her political bedroom.

How old is Janet Ongera? The Kisii politician Janet Ongera is about 50 years old as of 2025. She celebrates her birthdays on July 5th but is yet to confirm her age and born year.

The MP shared lovely pictures of her most recent birthday surprise from grandchildren in her stately home.

Childhood and ancestry

The gorgeous Kisii leader grew up in Kisi County, where she was born about five decades ago.

The bliss in her professional and political journey started with clicks of hard work and dedication in her middle life.

Education profile

Ongera started schooling at Bernard Estate Primary in Nairobi. She completed her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1978.

In 1979, Janet Ongera joined Precious Blood Secondary School for her O-level studies until 1982.

Later on, Ongera enrolled at Moi Girls for A-level studies between 1983 and 1984.

Career history

The Kenya School of Law accepted Janet Ongera for a diploma in law studies between 1990 and 1991.

Ongera later joined the University of Nairobi in 1996 and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor in Law.

Family background

Ongera has successfully managed to contain information of interest about her family from spilling to the public.

Lucky we are to have received a glimpse of her family story.

Sen Janet Ongera’s brother died of throat cancer in 2018.

The late Samuel passed on at the Nairobi Hospital, where he was receiving specialized treatment.

Janet Ongera husband and children

Some sources indicate that Janet Ongera is the wife of an unnamed man from Homabay County. There are, however, no details about his husband and children.

Speculations allege that she is currently operating from her parent’s home in Kisii.

Even so, there are no wedding pictures, divorce records, or break-up news to conclude on her marital status.  

The Kisiifinest.co.ke editors will update details about her family and husband once confirmed.

In addition, the former senator displayed two of her beautiful granddaughters during the corona outbreak spike.

The three were doing aerobic exercises outside their home during the quarantine season.

Professional experiences

The former Senator Janet Ongera is among the most influential Kisii women in notable leadership positions.

Her success story stems from professional and political careers.

 In 1992, Janet worked as the Registrar of Titles in the Registrar of Lands department.

A year later, she landed a lucrative job as a State Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Working in the Kenya Airports Authority

Janet Ongera joined the Kenya Airports Authority in 1993. She took the role of a Company Corporate Secretary.

In 1998, she welcomed a promotion to the office of Managing Director. Ongera stayed in KAA until 2003, when she launched her bid for elective offices.

Ongera Janet worked as an elected President of Africa Region in charge of Airports Council International between 2001 and 2003.

MP Ongera Janet has grown to stand for girl child education, young affairs, women empowerment, and environmental conservation.

Political career journey

Ongera first joined politics in 2004 and has remained actively involved to date.

More so, she has remained a staunch supporter and loyal official within the notorious Orange Democratic Movement Party.

For instance, Janet Ongera served as an Executive Director for ODM between 2004 and 2013.

The Orange Democratic Movement rewarded Janet Ongera with a senate position in the 11th Parliament.

She proceeded to become an official deputy whip of the minority within the Senate Rules and Business Committee.

Elsewhere, she was a member of the Devolved Government Committee between 2014 and 2017.

Kisii Women Rep Janet Ong’era

The former ODM executive became a women representative for Kisii County in 2017.

Hon Janet Ongera is still serving as a Women Rep and has already thrown a wishful eye in James Omariba Ongwae’s succession race come 2022.

Therefore, she is a likely top contestant in the Kisii County governor position.

Feud with Cyprian Nyakundi

The Boy Child Le Presidente Cyprian Nyakundi recently pulled a trigger on Janet Ongera’s leadership style.

Nyakundi accused the Women Rep of nepotism and laxity at her work.

An article seen by Kisii Finest Media accuses Ongera of giving unequalled opportunities to her relatives.

Leadership and board memberships

The Women Rep of Kisii County enjoys life membership within the Law Society of Kenya, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake, and the League of women voters.

Janet Ongera is also an oversight official within the Centre for Multi-Party Democracy

Apart from politics, Janet Ongera is a vocal leader on matters relating to the rights of women. She is equally outspoken on the benches of justice.

Foundations and projects

• Founder of Green Fingers International
• Kisii County Women Agribusiness Empowerment
• Forward Advantage International Foundation (co-founder)

Here is what we know about Ongera’s empowerment projects.  

Awards

The Gusii Creative Awards recognized Ongera as a political figure for her contributions to local politics.

Janet Ongera contacts

Telephone	+254722512009
Email	janongero@hotmail.com

Various profile facts included in Janet Ongera biography speak of an accomplished Kisii leader now at the heights of her political career. Meanwhile, will she make it to become the second governor of Kisii County? The long wait goes on.