Wavinya Ndeti is a Kenyan politician who is the Chief Administrative Secretary for the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.
She also serves as the chairlady of the governing council of the Kenya Water Institute and has held the role since February 7, 2019.
The politician is also a founding members of opposition coalition CORD is 2013, when she contested the Machakos County gubernatorial seat with her party Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU).
Background
Ndeti was born on November 3, 1967. She hails from a long line of freedom fighters from the Mua Hills in Machakos County.
Her father, Mzee Peter Nzuki Ndeti fought in the World War II. He also pioneered the establishment of Mavoko Municipality.
She is also a niece to renowned Kamba freedom fighter, the late Muindi Mbingu.
Education
Ndeti spent her youth years in the United Kingdom, and it is where she schooled.
She attended South Bank Polytechnic between 1986 and 1990. She later proceeded to London South Bank University where studied Computer Science and Business Administration.
Ndeti holds a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from South Bank University, UK and another MSc in Business Administration and Marketing from Heirowatt University, UK.
Marriage & Family
Ndeti met and married a Nigerian accountant, Prince Henry Oduwale, while still a student in the UK in the 90s.
Oduwale died on September 25, 2016 at the Nairobi Hospital where he had been admitted. He was buried at their family home in Kenya.
Ndeti has three children, two boys and a girl. The eldest is a son named Charles.
Career
Ndeti worked as a Systems Developer at the University of North London between 1993 and 1994. She later returned to Kenya where she established and headed her own companies.
Politics
She debuted into Kenya’s political arena during the 2007 general elections where she contested the Kathiani parliamentary seat on a CCK party ticket.
Ndeti became the first woman Member of Parliament for the constituency since independence. She had dethroned then incumbent MP, Peter Kaindi.
She was later was appointed an assistant minister for Youth and Sports by former President Mwai Kibaki in the grand coalition government.
In 2013, she contested the Machakos County gubernatorial seat but lost to incumbent Governor, Alfred Mutua who ran on a Wiper Party ticket.
She moved to court to contest the result, but was unsuccessful.
The former Kathiani MP was entangled in court battles of the leadership of CCU with then party Chairman Maur Bwanamaka.
She later decamped to Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya.
State Appointment
On January 14, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the former Machakos County gubernatorial aspirant as the CAS for Transport.
Landmarks
During her reign as Kathiani MP, the constituency was ranked the best in prudent management and utilisation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
She is credited with building health facilities and more classrooms in schools through the CDF.
Ndeti is famed for her role in lobbying for the division of Kibwezi and Kathiani Constituencies.
