Nairobi Deputy Governor Ann Kanuna Mwenda (Photo: Courtesy)
Ann Kananu Mwenda, 40, has been confirmed as the new, and first female, deputy governor of Nairobi County.
Her confirmation was done during a special sitting of the county assembly, after they approved the vetting report by the Assembly’s select committee on Appointments for the position.
Ann Kananu had been nominated for the position by the then Nairobi governor Mike Sonko last year January, two years after his deputy Polycarp Igathe quit.
Here are some quick facts you should know about the new deputy governor:
Background
Ann Kananu Mwenda was born in Embu County and attended St Michael Primary School in the same county. After completing her primary education, she joined Our Lady of Mercy Girls, Nagundu where she sat her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 1999.
Thereafter, she worked as a Personal Assistant, H. Mogambi & CO. Advocates between 2003 and 2004 and Customer Service & Personal Assistant to the CEO, MOKIR Enterprises between 2002 and 2003.
Education
Kananu has two certificates in Human Resource Management and Public Relations from the University of Nairobi which she attained between 2011 and 2012. Additionally, in 2013, she pursued a Diploma in Criminology and Security Management from St Paul’s University.
Come 2016, Kananu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Security Management (Forensic and Criminal Investigation) from Dedan Kimathi University. A course she had been passionate about since her childhood.
She also has an additional Certificate in Crisis Management from AVSEC, Female Screening, Man Portable Air Defense Systems (Man pads Training) from US Department of Homeland Security.
Road to city hall
She then worked as a Security Supervisor in charge of Quality Control and Training at Kenya Airports Authority before joining City Hall as Chief Officer in charge of Disaster Management and Coordination in May 2018.
Ann Kananu managed to wade through the waters even after the numerous reshuffles until November 2019, when she was named acting chief officer for water.
Starting today January 15, 2020 she will officially be Nairobi County’s first female Deputy Governor.
Personal life
Ann Kanuna was married to the late Philip Njiru Muthathai, until last year January when she lost him to a fatal road accident in Athi River.