The family behind the Kathiani politician

Wavinya Ndeti is married to Joseph Henry Dolamu Oduwale, a chartered accountant in the UK, and they have three children — two boys and one girl.

The eldest child, Charles is in Form Two at Strathmore School. Daniel is five and Alicia three.

Wavinya says her children have an immense interest in politics especially because she is always in the public eye.

Charles says he is getting used to the publicity he gets, but prefers to be out of the limelight.

"I am very proud of my mum but would like to remain in the background despite her achievements," says Charles.

Wavinya met Oduwale in the early 1990s in the UK where they were both pursuing higher education.

"We had a church wedding in the UK but last year we decided to solemnise our union through a Kamba traditional ceremony in Kathiani," says Wavinya.

She says the traditional ceremony was important, as it was a cultural bond that linked her with her people and community.

The ceremony at her parents’ home in Mua Hills drew a crowd that included politicians and people of all walks of life.

Husband a pillar

"It was one of the happiest days of my life, despite the fact that my mother had passed away a few months earlier. My dream had been to have her witness the ceremony," says Wavinya.

She says those who used her marriage to a foreigner as a tool to fight her politically were misguided.

Indeed, she says, her husband encouraged her to plunge into active politics and has been a pillar since.

"Even when we were in the UK he used to tease me that I derived a lot of pleasure working and serving the people. He fully supported my desire to join politics and continues to do so."

She describes an attempt to deport her husband four years ago as a scheme to taint her image and blackmail her to drop her political ambitions.

"Some people were not happy that I was rocking their political train in Kathiani and attempted to frustrate me by targeting my family. We overcame all that intimidation," says Wavinya.

She says her husband had come to visit when immigration officials told him he had to leave the country claiming he was under investigation.

Once back in the UK, Oduwale sought the help of Scotland Yard who cleared him of any wrongdoing.

"My enemies were out to ruin my family and marriage, but I have put the past behind me. The incident taught me many things and I am now a stronger woman," says Wavinya.