Governor Ndiritu Muriithi is an influential Kenyan politician with a decorated career in matters of business and governance. He is lately a man of interest at the national level following a speedy uprising within positions of power. Behind the clamour of success is Ndiritu Muriithi biography with intimate details about his life story.
The former Laikipia Governor blasted into the limelight following a celebrated appointment as a chairperson in a campaign board headed by ODM Leader Raila Odinga. He would play a key player in the succession politics of Uhuru Kenyatta.
10 Profile facts in Ndiritu Muriithi biography
Kenyans are curious to know more about Ndiritu and why Raila trusted him with such a critical position.
Who is Ndiritu Muriithi?
1. Ndiritu Muriithi age is 57 years as of 2024
How old is Ndiritu Muriithi? Born on February 10, 1967, Governor Ndiritu Muriithi is 57 years old.
Therefore, he is of the Aquarius star sign with exceeding creativity and strong individuality traits.
2. He is an alumna of the University of Technology Sydney
Ndiritu Muriithi education history shows that he attended Shamanei Primary School within Laikipia West.
He later enrolled at Kagumo Secondary School in Nyeri County before joining Alliance High School in 1984 for A-levels.
In 1990, Ndiritu Muriithi graduated from the Canadian St. Francis Xavier University with an undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance.
In 1995, he graduated yet again from the University of Technology Sydney with a master’s degree in project management.
3. Governor Ndiritu Muriithi is a nephew to President Mwai Kibaki
Governor Ndiritu family hails from Laikipia west where he spent much of his childhood.
For that reason, Ndiritu is of the Kikuyu tribe. He is also a close relative to Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki.
Insider sources indicate that Ndiritu Muriithi relationship with Kibaki is one of a role model uncle.
“My late brother Alex and President Kibaki arranged for me to go to Canada for my undergraduate at St Francis Xavier University. Naturally, I studied economics and finance, finished in 1990 and worked in Halifax for about a year-and-half.”
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
The former president allegedly financed Muriithi’s undergraduate studies in Canada without a scholarship.
4. Ndiritu Muriithi wife and family background
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi spouse is, Maria Mbeneka, a seasoned lawyer within the Law Society of Kenya.
She recently made news after resigning from the Co-operative Tribunal at the Ministry of Agriculture to concentrate on her quest of becoming LSK President.
Lawyer Mbeneka and her husband Ndiritu are proud parents and a lovely couple on our screens.
Details about his father, mother and siblings are scarce. For all we know, Ndiritu is a brother to the late Alex Kibaki.
5. He is a professional economist with 30 years of experience
Ndiritu Muriithi biography confirms that he is a well-travelled executive who has worked for about 30 years in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, and Canada.
Enlisted are some of the achievements that Muriithi has accumulated so far;
- Improving the bond market function
- Expanding and promoting mortgage markets
- Steering growth of women-owned enterprises
- Establishing and strengthening credit sharing and scoring institutions
Most importantly, he is an active stakeholder in the design and implementation of international financial markets.
6. Ndiritu Muriithi professional career started in 1996
Raila’s right-hand man Muriithi worked in a private consulting between 1996 and 1999.
His roles included helping small and medium-sized businesses with financial solutions.
Among those who benefitted most during his tenure are Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian flower farms.
In addition, he worked alongside Nairobi Mamba Village, Nile Crocodiles, Githunguri Dairy, and Karen Hospital.
7. The political journey of Muriithi since 1991
Ndiritu joined Kibaki’s Democratic Party in 1991 and worked as an administrator ahead of the 1992 general election of Kenya.
After losing the elections, Mwai Kibaki persuaded Ndiritu to focus on his education and profession.
“In 1992 when I went to work for the Democratic Party as an administrator, at one point Kibaki was anxious and said a political party was no place for a young professional. ‘You really need to agree to go back to industry.”
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
Soon after, he left the country for further studies. His ambition in politics would resurface in 1998.
Muriithi recalls holding regular meetings with close friends David Ndii and the late Ken Mbaya at Panafric Hotel.
The meetings held between 1998 and 1999 were mostly about the future of Kenya from an economic perspective.
8. Involvement in NARC politics of 2002 and 2007
Ndiritu was in charge of coming up with an economic agenda for the National Rainbow Coalition.
A victorious win of 2002 inspired Ndiritu to position himself for the parliamentary seat.
In 2007, he was elected Member of Parliament for Laikipia West Constituency.
Besides, Mwai Kibaki appointed him Assistant Minister for Industrialization.
9. Ndiritu Muriithi becoming governor in 2017
An unsuccessful run in the 2013 gubernatorial race did not stop Muriithi from trying again in 2017.
He fought for the creation of the Africa Audio Visual and Cinema Commission which promotes African content.
Before long, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him the Policy Compensations Fund director.
In 2017, he missed the Jubilee Party ticket but managed to become governor as an independent candidate.
Ndiritu brags improved health care, increased road network, and progressive landmark towns such as Kinamba, Sipili, Rumuruti, Wiyumiririe, and Nanyuki.
In 2022 polls, Muriithi lost the Laikipia gubernatorial seat to the UDA Party candidate Joshua Irungu.
10. Ndiritu Muriithi was a likely deputy for Raila Odinga
Muriithi was among the most suitable candidates in thr race for Raila Odinga’s deputy in 2022.
Speculations on the candidature of Ndiritu Muriithi were later dimmed by the entry of Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua.
Ndiritu Muriithi wealth and net worth
Laikipia governor is a staunch investor with a keen eye on growing his wealth and popularity.
Firstly, he owns Ngare Narok Meat Industries for which he recently raised a staggering Ksh. 250 million for expansion purposes.
A monthly salary of at least Ksh. 1 million adds to the tokens of his net worth exceeding Ksh. 350 million.
Every bit of Ndiritu Muriithi biography sparks with prosperity. He now serves as a policy research fellow at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri County.
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