She hails from a lineage of freedom fighters from Mua Hills in Machakos County. 

Is there a story unfolding in your community? Let Hivisasa know

She wants to be the second Machakos governor.

Her name is Wavinya Ndeti. Mzee Peter Nzuki Ndeti who fought in the World War II, who later pioneered the establishment of Mavoko Municipality, is her father.

Ms Ndeti is also a niece to renowned Kamba freedom fighter, the late Muindi Mbingu who is captured in Kenya’s historical books.

The former Kathiani MP was born in November 1967 and spent her youth in the United Kingdom where she studied Computer Science and Business Administration.

Ms Ndeti met and married a Nigerian accountant, Prince Henry Oduwale, while still studying in the UK in the 1990s. He died in September 2016 and buried at their family home in Kenya.

She holds a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from South Bank University (UK) and another MSc in Business Administration and Marketing from Heirowatt University (UK).

Ms Ndeti worked as a Systems Developer at the University of North London between 1993 and 1994 before coming back home to Kenya where she established and headed her own companies.

Ms Petti Wavinya Ndeti cut her own political path when she joined Chama Cha Uzalendo in 2007 and contested and won the Kathiani Parliamentary seat. She won against the then incumbent MP Peter Kaindi.

She was later was appointed an assistant minister for Youth and Sports by former President Mwai Kibaki in the grand coalition government.

In 2013, she vied for the Machakos gubernatorial seat on her then CCU Party ticket but lost to incumbent Alfred Mutua who ran on Wiper Party ticket.

She came second, garnering 93,932 votes against Dr Mutua’s 262,264 votes. She however unsuccessfully contested the results in court.

Ms Ndeti's gubernatorial candidature had been opposed by the then Machakos Senator MP Johnston Muthama.

The Former Kathiani MP has also been entangled in long-running court battles with CCU Party Chairman Maur Bwanamaka over its leadership.

However, the fights seem to be a thing of the past now that Ms Ndeti has joined the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Democratic Movement.

During her tenure as MP for Kathiani, the constituency was ranked the best in prudent management and utilisation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

She is credited with building health facilities and more classrooms in schools through the CDF and lobbying for the division of Kathiani and Mavoko constituencies.

Ndeti is now determined to take the Machakos gubernatorial position from Mutua if a by-election is held today.

#MyJob