Who is Uhuru Kenyatta? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta

Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Margaret Wanjiru Gakuo

father: Jomo Kenyatta

mother: Ngina Kenyatta

children: Jaba Kenyatta, Jomo Kenyatta, Ngina Kenyatta

Presidents Political Leaders

Height: 6'1" (185 cm), 6'1" Males

political ideology: Political party TNA (2012–present), KANU (before 2012)

City: Nairobi, Kenya

Founder/Co-Founder: Jubilee Alliance

More Facts

education: 1979 - St. Mary's School, Nairobi, 1989 - Amherst College

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1

What is Uhuru Kenyatta's political party?

Uhuru Kenyatta is a member of the Jubilee Party in Kenya.
2

How many terms has Uhuru Kenyatta served as the President of Kenya?

Uhuru Kenyatta has served two terms as the President of Kenya, from 2013 to present.
3

What are some key policies implemented by Uhuru Kenyatta during his presidency?

Uhuru Kenyatta has focused on initiatives such as the Big Four Agenda, which includes affordable housing, manufacturing, universal healthcare, and food security.
4

How has Uhuru Kenyatta addressed corruption in Kenya during his tenure?

Uhuru Kenyatta has made efforts to combat corruption in Kenya through initiatives like the establishment of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the implementation of the Huduma Namba system.
5

What role has Uhuru Kenyatta played in regional politics in Africa?

Uhuru Kenyatta has been involved in regional politics in Africa, serving as the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) and playing a role in peace and security initiatives in the region.

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Childhood & Early Life

Uhuru Kenyatta was born on October 26, 1961, in Nairobi, Kenya, to Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father and first President of Kenya. He was raised in a wealthy and politically powerful Kikuyu family.

He received his early education from the St. Mary’s School, Nairobi. After completing high school, he was enrolled at the Amherst College in the United States, where he studied political science and economics.

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Career

Upon completing his graduation, Uhuru Kenyatta returned to his homeland and started a company ‘Wilham Kenya Limited’, through which he sourced and exported agricultural produce and became quite successful.

In 1997, he was elected as the chairman of his hometown branch of Kenya African National Union (KANU), the longtime ruling party that his father had once led. Later that year, he contested for a parliamentary seat but lost the election.

Despite his defeat, KANU leader and then Kenyan President, Daniel Arap Moi, seemed intent on preparing him for a greater role in public service. In 1999, Moi appointed him as the chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board.

In 2001, he was nominated by President Moi for a parliament seat. Later, Moi appointed him to the cabinet as Minister for Local Government. The following year, he was elected as one of the four vice-chairs of KANU.

In 2002, he was also nominated as the KANU candidate for the presidency by outgoing President Moi, who was ineligible to stand for another term and wanted someone of his own choosing to succeed him.

However, Moi’s plans backfired as some KANU members left the party to support opposition leader Mwai Kibaki, who conveniently defeated Kenyatta in the elections. Then Kenyatta assumed the position of opposition leader in the parliament from January 2003 to December 2007.

In 2005, he was elected the chairman of KANU. Though he decided to contest Kenya’s next presidential election in December 2007, he withdrew his candidacy a few months before the election and instead opted to back Kibaki, who was running for re-election against Raila Odinga.

When the 2007 election results showed that Kibaki had narrowly defeated Odinga, the outcome was rejected by many of the latter’s supporters, followed by widespread violence along ethnic lines for several weeks.

Kibaki initially made Kenyatta the Minister of Local Government in January 2008, but later when a coalition government formed, Uhuru was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade. The next year, in January 2009, he was moved from the post of Minister of Trade to the Minister of Finance, a post he served in until January 2012.

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In 2010, he was accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as one of the suspects for instigating the post election violence that followed the 2007 election polls. Shortly after his charges were announced, he resigned as Minister of Finance but remained on his post as Deputy Prime Minister, which he retained until becoming the president of Kenya.

The ICC charges did not discourage him from once again aiming for the presidency. In April 2012, he left KANU and the following month, he launched a new party, The National Alliance (TNA). Later that year, he and TNA became part of a multiparty alliance known as the ‘Jubilee Coalition’.

In the 2013 elections, he was nominated as the presidential candidate by the party. He went on to win the presidential election in the first round of voting, held on March 4, 2013. He was sworn in as president on April 9, 2013, and has been serving in this post since then.

Major Works

He supervised the implementation of a new government administrative unit of counties, which replaced the previous unit of provinces. He also tactfully dealt with the complaints of poor governance, corruption, and insecurity.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1991, he married Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta. The couple is blessed with three children, Jomo, Jaba and Ngina.

Facts About Uhuru Kenyatta

Uhuru Kenyatta is an avid collector of vintage cars and has a passion for restoring classic vehicles.

He is known for his love of wildlife conservation and has been actively involved in efforts to protect endangered species in Kenya.

He has a keen interest in African art and culture, often showcasing local artists and artisans at official events and functions.

Uhuru Kenyatta is a skilled linguist, fluent in multiple languages including Swahili, English, and Kikuyu.

Uhuru Kenyatta Biography

You wanted to know

What is Uhuru Kenyatta's political party?

How many terms has Uhuru Kenyatta served as the President of Kenya?

What are some key policies implemented by Uhuru Kenyatta during his presidency?

How has Uhuru Kenyatta addressed corruption in Kenya during his tenure?

What role has Uhuru Kenyatta played in regional politics in Africa?