Ndiritu Muriithi

Muriithi Ndiritu is a Kenyan politician and current Governor of Laikipia County. He was elected to represent the Laikipia County in Just concluded general elections as an Independent Candidate after he failed to clinch the Jubilee Alliance Party nominations ticket.

He went to Shamanei Primary School, then went to Kagumo High School and then the prestigious Alliance High School. In 1990 he graduated with a degree of Economics and Finance from St. Francis Xavier University in Canada. He attended the University of Technology, Sydney in 1994 and 1995 pursuing for a master's degree.

Ndiritu Muriithi is a seasoned economist and financial markets expert with over 24 years’ experience in leadership and management within diverse settings in Kenya, South Africa, Canada and Australia. An accomplished practitioner in the African financial markets, Mr. Muriithi has spearheaded numerous financial market strengthening initiatives across African countries covering establishment of credit sharing and scoring institutions, improved bond market function, expansion of mortgage markets, and even growth of women-owned enterprises. He was primarily involved in the design and implementation of these programs and contributed substantively to the development of financial markets that provide required services to many nations.

Beyond his work in financial markets, Mr. Muriithi previously served as Assistant Minister for Industrialization for five (5) years and drove reforms to improve the environment for doing business, and improving incentives to promote investments. He was also involved in the development of policy and law related to finance and economics such as legislation governing establishment of credit bureau, interest rates, taxation and other fiscal measures.

Specifically, Mr. Muriithi contributed to legislative frameworks for banking and small businesses including successfully advocating for amendments to the Banking Act in 2006, to allow for credit reporting, a key pillar in improving access to finance; resolving an impasse in the passing of the Finance Bill 2011/2012, dropping of the legislation for fixing interest rates, and introducing the Kenya Bankers’ Reference Rate for use in loan pricing; as well as promoting and championing the passing of the SME Act which resulted in a comprehensive and coherent framework to promote small enterprise development in Kenya. This demonstrated mastery of the economic and financial matters, especially within the Kenyan context, has earned Mr. Muriithi recognition as a well-respected and regular contributor to magazines, journals, and TV programs on various topical economic issues.

During his tenure as Member of Parliament for Laikipia West, Mr. Muriithi exemplified servant leadership and was at the forefront of implementing several projects in education, small business development, and peace building that improved livelihoods in his constituency. Specifically, he championed the development of 23 new secondary schools, three (3) new Youth Polytechnics and one (1) chartered university [Laikipia University] and ultimately contributed to improved educational reach in Laikipia West.

He also led peace caravans across 32 districts that substantially reduced conflicts between communities in Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Tana River and Migori among other counties for the period between 2009 and 2012. For these efforts and other accomplishments during his term, Mr. Muriithi was profiled at the Open Innovation Africa Summit 2012 as a leader inspiring a new mindset among constituents through vision casting, community service, and team building.

Mr. Muriithi’s commitment to community service and volunteer work, however, goes beyond his public service and he continues today to mentor young business owners through the Ujuzi na Biashara Trust as well as inspire numerous others through his patronage of educational institutions.

Mr. Muriithi holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance as well as a Master of Project Management.