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Nutritionist & Founder, Food for Education
Wawira Njiru (born 27 January 1991) is a Kenyan nutritionist, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. She grew up in Ruiru, Kiambu County and studied Nutrition Science at the University of South Australia. In 2012, while still an undergraduate, she hosted a Kenyan-themed fundraising dinner that raised KSh 126,000, which she used to launch Food for Education. The organisation started with a makeshift kitchen serving 25 children and has since grown to provide hot, nutritious meals to more than 500,000 public primary school pupils in urban and peri-urban areas of Kenya. Food for Education uses a hub‑and‑spoke system: meals are prepared in central kitchens and distributed to schools; parents pay via mobile money while children use NFC smartwatches to tap and eat. Njiru has been recognised internationally, including being named one of Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Kenyan Women and winning the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership in 2018. She was the UN Person of the Year in 2021 and in 2024 received the Skoll Award for Social Innovation, the Icon Award at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Elevate Prize; in 2025 she was listed among CNBC’s Changemakers.
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Wawira Njiru (born 27 January 1991) is a Kenyan nutritionist, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. She grew up in Ruiru, Kiambu County and studied Nutrition Science at the University of South Australia. In 2012, while still an undergraduate, she hosted a Kenyan-themed fundraising dinner that raised KSh 126,000, which she used to launch Food for Education. The organisation started with a makeshift kitchen serving 25 children and has since grown to provide hot, nutritious meals to more than 500,000 public primary school pupils in urban and peri-urban areas of Kenya. Food for Education uses a hub‑and‑spoke system: meals are prepared in central kitchens and distributed to schools; parents pay via mobile money while children use NFC smartwatches to tap and eat. Njiru has been recognised internationally, including being named one of Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Kenyan Women and winning the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership in 2018. She was the UN Person of the Year in 2021 and in 2024 received the Skoll Award for Social Innovation, the Icon Award at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Elevate Prize; in 2025 she was listed among CNBC’s Changemakers.
Highlights that showcase impact and influence.
Founded Food for Education and scaled it to feed over 500,000 school children
Pioneered a hub‑and‑spoke school meals system using mobile money and NFC technology
Named Top 40 Under 40 Kenyan Woman and won the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership (2018)
Recognised as UN Person of the Year (2021) and recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Innovation, Icon Award and Elevate Prize (2024–2025)
A timeline of pivotal roles and responsibilities.
Founder & CEO, Food for Education (2012–present)
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Wawira Njiru (born 27 January 1991) is a Kenyan nutritionist, social entrepreneur and philanthropist. She grew up in Ruiru, Kiambu County and studied Nutrition Science at the University of South Australia. In 2012, while still an undergraduate, she hosted a Kenyan-themed fundraising dinner that raised KSh 126,000, which she used to launch Food for Education. The organisation started with a makeshift kitchen serving 25 children and has since grown to provide hot, nutritious meals to more than 500,000 public primary school pupils in urban and peri-urban areas of Kenya. Food for Education uses a hub‑and‑spoke system: meals are prepared in central kitchens and distributed to schools; parents pay via mobile money while children use NFC smartwatches to tap and eat. Njiru has been recognised internationally, including being named one of Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Kenyan Women and winning the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership in 2018. She was the UN Person of the Year in 2021 and in 2024 received the Skoll Award for Social Innovation, the Icon Award at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Elevate Prize; in 2025 she was listed among CNBC’s Changemakers.
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