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In a world that is slowly embracing women in power, Mwende Mwinzi is making her the most significant step. Setting an excellent example to other women in the society, she stands firm in her political debut. Her goal is to empower the neglected voices in society.
Besides being a great political supporter and philanthropist, Mwende Mwinzi speaks eloquently due to her stay in the US. Despite her stay in the US, she seems not to have neglected her Kenyan passion and undoubtedly aims to add impact in her country of origin. Besides, Mwinzi explains that she understands well the troubles and challenges that her country faces.
Mwende Mwinzi profile summary
Name: Mwende Mwinzi
Birthplace: Kitui County
Nationality: Kenyan, American
Location: Migwani
District: Mwingi
Father: Maluki Mwinzi
Mother: Mary Mwinzi
Marital status: Married
Husband: Emeka Edozie
Husband nationality: Nigerian
Children: Uzoemezie “Mezz” and Nnameka Jaden.
Mwende Mwinzi Education
Schooling years for her started at the Central Primary School in Kitui, after which she joined the Kenya High and Kyeni High. She then moved to the US for further studies, where she acquired dual citizenship after staying for 15 years. Her love for Kenya inspired a longing to serve her people.
Mwende Mwinzi Family Background
Kenya’s own pride Mwende Mwinzi was born in the US but is also a Kenyan. Maluki and Mary Mwinzi are the parents of this amazing soul. The two worked as public servants in Kitui, where Mwende was raised. Her family is from the Migwani location and Mwingi district in Kenya.
Mwende Mwinzi Age
She was born in the year 1973, 46 years old in 2019
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Mwende Mwinzi Marital Status
Marriage is an institution that offers support and committed love. The beautiful Mwende is married to Emeka Edozie. The two resided in Upstate New York, where they started their lives together.
They are blessed with two sons: Uzoemezie “Mezz” and Nnameka Jaden. Her husband played a significant role in her life. The diaspora based philanthropist describes her husband as a pillar in their marriage, back when she had to work and was expecting their second child. The two are a perfect match.
Mwende Mwinzi Career
Twana Twitu project and work departments
President Kibaki’s first National Economic and Social Council, which birthed Vision 2030, was one of the departments Mwinzi served.
During the 2017 Mwingi West parliamentary election, she also participated in a Jubilee ticket. Mwende was also named a Moran of the Burning Spear.
She also served as an Assistant Vice President at a Wall Street Investment Bank, where she was a writer for the marketing department. In particular, she focused on new business development matters, writing, and producing the company’s investment proposals.
She was also involved in creating and developing the firm’s sales and marketing brochures. Besides, the philanthropist is also a member of the Kenya National Economic and Social Council (NESC).
The council, which is a presidential advisory, focuses on socio-economic development. Even though far from home, she maintained contact with her Kenyan friends.
She, however, witnessed the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in Kenya and was inspired to start a project. In May 2005, the philanthropist resigned from her corporate job to serve the newly launched project ‘Twana Twitu.’
She is the acting founder and chairperson of Twana Twitu, providing leadership, strategy, and direction for the organization’s growth.
Mwende also has a law firm company. The company offers services to both corporate and individual clients. Her firm is highly rated in Kenya, considering its level of expertise and services it has rendered to the clients.
The president’s Nominee
The President, Uhuru Kenyatta, earlier nominated Mwende Mwinzi for Kenya’s Ambassador of South Korea. The nomination by the president was such a privilege for her.
Mwende’s straight forward character, eloquent speech and excellent interaction skills, showed her capability to handle international issues.
Kenyan or American Dilemma
The well-received news of her nomination for Kenya’s Ambassador in South Korea came with its bundle of joy. She attended the vetting process, where she faced the National Assembly.
However, Mwende’s dual citizenship status acted as a stumbling block. Issues arising from her dual citizenship caused a significant drawback to the vetting proceedings.
The members of the National Assembly referenced their argument from the Constitution. They stated that Article 52 of the Constitution on citizenship and leadership says a state officer shall not hold dual citizenship.
However, Mwende defended herself, stating that ambassadors are not state officers. For this reason, she has to renounce her citizenship in the US for her to qualify for the nomination.
The parliamentary committee is required to table a report which takes place after the vetting. The report will be presented before the House for adoption (approval), and according to tradition, new entrants will receive training.
Nevertheless, Mwende will have to choose whether or not to renounce her US citizenship. Mwende Mwinzi remains one of the celebrated Kenyans in the diaspora.
Many who have HIV/AIDS have greatly benefited from her Twana Twitu project. The work she is doing is an act of love and kindness. Her tremendous accomplishments and dedication to the Kenyan people are acknowledgeable.
Therefore, her blessing of being Kenya’s Ambassador in South Korea is worth her commitment. It remains to be seen as to whether she will get the position despite the citizenship challenges.
Win for Mwende Mwinzi in the battle to retain American citizenship
The High Court has ruled that Kenya’s ambassador nominee to South Korea Mwende Mwinzi should not be forced to renounce her American citizenship as demanded by Parliament.
Ms. Mwinzi, a dual citizenship holder, moved to court after the National Assembly approved her nomination as Kenya’s envoy to South Korea but on condition that she renounces her American citizenship.
In her petition, she argued that her American citizenship is by birth; therefore, she cannot renounce it since it is out of her control.
“My US citizenship was acquired by birth, and as such, my citizenship or the process of opting in was a consequence of circumstances out of my control. I did not participate in the decision to be born in the US, and I cannot “opt-out” of that decision,” she submitted in an affidavit.
In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Makau noted that an ambassador is not a State officer but a public officer; therefore, Ms. Mwinzi is not required to renounce her citizenship.
“There is no legislation establishing the office of ambassador as a State office, but Parliament has powers to enact legislation in that effect. It’s clear that a State officer who acquires dual citizenship shall lose his position,” ruled the Judge.
Article 78 of the Constitution stipulates that a person is not eligible for election or appointment to a State office unless the person is a citizen of Kenya.
However, according to Clause 2 (b)of the same Article, the above the law does not apply to “any person who has been made a citizen of another country by operation of that country’s law or without the ability to opt-out.”
At the same time, the court ruled that Ms. Mwinzi’s petition was premature since the vetting and approval process had not been completed.
The judge said that she should have waited for the process to complete before moving to the court.
“The president is waiting for approval of the parliament. The petitioner didn’t allow the president to make his decision. The petition is premature, noted the judge.
10 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Mwende Mwinzi
Before 2019 Mwende Mwinzi was only very popular in her homeland and tribe.
But her moment to become a household name in Kenyan news came through when she was appointed to become an envoy in South Korea by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
To her people from Ukambani land, she was widely known as a woman with great leadership qualities, YVK looks at critical facts you need to know about Mwende Mwinzi.
- She was born in 1973 as Mwende Mwinzi in Kitui county, Mwingi district, in Migwani location. She was born to a Kenyan father, Maluki Mwinzi, and an American mother, Mary Mwinzi. By 2019, she was aged 46 years old.
- His father, Maluki, met her mum while he was studying in the USA. Mwende Mwinzi spent her childhood days in Kenya
- Mwende is married to Emeka Edozie, a Nigerian man with whom they have fully grown up two sons – Uzoemezie “Mezz” and Nnameka Jaden.
- Mwende studied in Central Primary School in Kitui, after which she joined the Kenya High and Kyeni High.
- She moved to the USA, where she advanced in her studies. While in the USA she acquired her dual citizenship after spending there at least 15 years
- Mwende’s father worked as a public servant in Kitui county, while she was still young. Mwende came back to Kenya and founded Twana Twitu – a Kamba word, which means Our Children. A foundation through which disadvantaged kids are given a better life within the society. Twana Twitu was founded in 2005.
- In 2017, Mwende vied unsuccessfully to be MP for Mwingi West on a Jubilee ticket. Mwende served in Kibaki’s government under the department of National Economic and Social Council, which birthed Vision 2030
- She was also awarded by former President Mwai Kibaki, the Moran of the Burning Spear. While in the USA, she worked as the Assistant Vice President at a Wall Street Investment Bank before she resigned and focused on her other businesses in Kenya
- Mwende owns a law firm in Kenya, apart from her foundation project. Her law firm is highly rated on the grounds of expertise and professionalism
- President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Mwende to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to South Korea, but she faced a huge stumbling block of renouncing her US citizenship so as to serve in a public office.
Mwende Mwinzi Contacts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MwendeMwinzi
