Charity Ngilu: Trailblazer, Politician, and Champion for Kenyan Women
Full Name: Charity Kaluki Ngilu
Age: 73 years
Gender: Female
Profession: Politician, Entrepreneur
Biography of Charity Ngilu
Charity Ngilu is a Kenyan politician who is one of Kenya’s most prominent female leaders.
Besides being a politician, Charity Ngilu is a businesswoman, serving as a secretary at the Central Bank of Kenya and then becoming an entrepreneur. She developed a bakery and café while also acting as the managing director of Ani-plastics Ltd.
Charity Ngilu’s Educational Background
Ngilu’s educational journey began at Mbooni Intermediate School, where she laid the foundation for her academic path. She later joined the prestigious Alliance Girls High School, completing her secondary education in 1972.
Eager to expand her skills, she attended Kianda College and the Government Secretarial College, where she studied management and secretarial courses. By 1975, Ngilu had earned certification as a secretary from the Kenya Institute of Administration.
Years later, her commitment to learning would see her graduate from St. Paul’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Management a testament to her lifelong passion for education and leadership.
Family and Personal Life
Born into a large family, Charity Ngilu was the ninth of thirteen children. Her father was a gospel preacher, while her mother was a homemaker who raised the children with deep-rooted Christian values.
Ngilu married Michael Mwendwa Ngilu, a respected engineer, in the early 1980s. The couple shared a close bond until Michael’s passing on July 1, 2006, in South Africa while undergoing treatment. Ngilu would later describe him as “a pillar of my life, a caring and loving man.”
Political Career: Over 30 Years of Service
Ngilu’s political journey began in 1992 when she was elected Member of Parliament for Kitui Central on a Democratic Party ticket. She would go on to hold that seat for two decades, establishing herself as a fearless voice in Kenya’s male-dominated political space.
In 1997, she made history by becoming the first woman in sub-Saharan Africa to run for president. Representing the Social Democratic Party, her campaign was anything but easy marked by teargas, threats, and even physical attacks. Still, her bravery and vision resonated with many, and she earned the nickname “Mama Rainbow” after joining the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC).
Serving in Cabinet Roles
Following NARC’s victory in the 2002 general election, President Mwai Kibaki appointed Ngilu as the Minister for Health. During her tenure, she pushed for accessible healthcare, especially for marginalized communities, and advocated for women’s health rights. Her dedication was evident when she chose to seek treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, aligning herself with the same public healthcare system she was working to improve.
In 2008, she was appointed Minister for Water and Irrigation, aligning with Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). She focused on improving clean water access for rural communities, a key issue in many parts of the country.
Though she lost the 2013 Kitui County Senate race, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed her Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development—a role fraught with political tension but also critical for Kenya’s housing sector.
In 2017, Charity Ngilu was elected the Governor of Kitui County. She became one of the first three female governors in Kenya.
She suffered tense relations with the Kitui County Assembly after imposing controversial environmental measures, which included bans on sand harvesting and charcoal transportation to safeguard the environment.
This provoked charges of ethnic provocation and legal concerns. She was also accused of accepting an inflated proposal for a public tender, including claims involving her son-in-law.
In 2022, she dropped her 2022 gubernatorial run to endorse Julius Malombe of the Wiper Party, uniting with Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
She has maintained a quiet profile after Raila Odinga’s loss to William Ruto.
Charity Ngilu’s Wealth and Net Worth
Her fortune mostly originates from her political career, encompassing duties as a Member of Parliament, Minister, Cabinet Secretary, and Governor of Kitui County, as well as her earlier commercial enterprises, including managing a bakery, restaurant, and Ani-Plastics Ltd.
Charity Ngilu also has multimillion-shillings businesses, properties, and exquisite mansions.
Her wealth is reported to be more than Ksh 500 million.
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In Conclusion
Charity Ngilu remains a powerful symbol of strength, courage, and ambition for women across Kenya and beyond. From being a young secretary to challenging a sitting president, and later rising to governorship, her journey reflects the spirit of a woman who never backed down from a fight worth having.
