Anne Mumbi Waiguru (born April 16, 1971) is a prominent Kenyan politician, public administrator, and economist who has served as the Governor of Kirinyaga County since 2017. She made history in 2017 as one of the first three women to be elected as a governor in Kenya, a milestone that significantly shaped the discourse on gender representation in the country's devolved governance structure. Born in Pumwani, Nairobi, with ancestral roots in Kirinyaga County, Waiguru’s early life was marked by a commitment to education. She attended Nairobi River Primary School before proceeding to Precious Blood Girls' Secondary School, Riruta, where she completed her O-Level education in 1987. She subsequently attended Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi for her A-Level studies, focusing on mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and graduated in 1989. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Home Economics from Egerton University and a Master’s degree in Economic Policy from the University of Nairobi, academic credentials that formed the foundation of her expertise in public finance and governance. Waiguru’s professional career began in the civil society and private sectors. She worked as a research assistant at Transparency International Kenya and later at the Kenya Leadership Institute. She also served as an Assistant Vice President for the Public Sector at Citi Bank Kenya. Her transition into public service was notable, beginning with a role as a technical advisor on public sector reforms in the government of President Mwai Kibaki, where she worked on secondment by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Later, at the National Treasury, she played a key role as the director of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), a project designed to modernize government financial processes. In 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Waiguru as the first Cabinet Secretary for the newly created Ministry of Devolution and Planning. During her tenure, she spearheaded several high-profile initiatives, most notably the establishment of Huduma Centres—one-stop service points for government services, which earned her international recognition, including the 2015 United Nations Public Service Award. She was also a strong advocate for the "Access to Government Procurement Opportunities" (AGPO) policy, which mandated that 30% of government tenders be reserved for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Her tenure as Cabinet Secretary was marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal, which involved allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption within her ministry. Facing intense political and public pressure, Waiguru resigned from her cabinet position in November 2015, citing health concerns and the need to clear her name. In 2016, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigated the claims and eventually cleared her of complicity in the scandal. In 2017, Waiguru successfully pivoted to elective politics, winning the governorship of Kirinyaga County. She was re-elected in 2022, running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, marking her as the first woman in Kenya to secure consecutive gubernatorial terms. As governor, she launched the "Wezesha Kirinyaga" program, an economic empowerment initiative aimed at supporting local households through agricultural and small-scale business ventures. Her leadership has also included significant infrastructure projects, such as the modernization of the Kerugoya Level Five Hospital. Beyond her county duties, Waiguru has held high-ranking positions within the Council of Governors, serving as both its Vice-Chairperson and Chairperson. She is married to the Kenyan lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo.