Located in Kenya’s Dagoretti Constituency, Kawangware is one of the various low-income suburbs in Nairobi. Despite being known for its challenges such as poverty and rampant crime typical of ghetto life, Kawangware has nurtured various notable leaders in Kenya.
This article spotlights five famous politicians who once lived in this ghetto but eventually found a path to becoming renowned leaders in the country.
William Ruto
During previous interviews and rallies, President William Ruto has revealed that he stayed in Kawangware soon after completing his university education.
According to the current President of Kenya, it was in this ghetto that he began his life. While giving his 2022 campaign speech, Ruto revealed that his first child was born there.
Simba Arati
As a former Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North, Simba Arati never hides his roots in Kawangware, where he says he lived while building his political base as a nominated councillor in 2003.
According to Arati, who is the current governor of Kisii County, he even sold sukuma wiki at the Kawangware market.
Beatrice Elachi
Elachi is the current Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North. During her university days, Elachi stayed in Kawangware, not knowing she would later become its MP.
Prior to becoming an MP, Elachi served as the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
John Kiarie
Kiarie’s past is strongly linked to Kawangware. Before becoming the Member of Parliament for Dagoretti South in 2022, Kiarie attended Dagoretti High School, which is located near Kawangware.
The former comedian says he went door to door in Kawangware, seeking votes to become the MP for Dagoretti South.
Dennis Waweru
A former Member of Parliament for Dagoretti South was born and raised in the constituency, with strong connections to the nearby Kawangware slums. Currently, Waweru is the chairman of the Kenya Investment Authority.
