Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has turned 53 and had the privilege of celebrating her birthday in the presence of several members of the Council of Governors.
Shortly after delivering her speech on the ongoing doctors’ industrial action on Tuesday, April 16, the Governor was surprised by her colleagues who had surrounded her.
The Governor was presented with flowers and cut a cake as the cameras rolled.
In her speech, the Governor thanked her colleagues for the gifts and said it was a privilege for her to turn 53.
“Thank you very much. I don’t take it for granted. I’m 53 years young and I’m very proud of it because I know it’s a privilege,” Waiguru said.
She is serving her second term as Kirinyaga governor under President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance, but contested her first term on the Jubilee ticket.
Waiguru rose from her position as Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning to become Kirinyaga governor.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Waiguru to his first cabinet in 2013, after winning the presidential seat.
During her tenure as cabinet secretary, Waiguru was behind the establishment of Huduma Centres, which made it easier for Kenyans to access government services.
As governor, Waiguru now heads the Governor’s Council and is serving her second term after a successful election in October last year.
She is also one of the seven female governors out of the 47 governors elected in the last elections.
Other female governors include Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos, Susan Kihika of Nakuru, Kawira Mwangaza of Meru, Fatuma Achani of Kwale County, and Cecily Mbarire of Embu.
