Nzioka Waita is an advocate and former Chief of Staff at the State House, serving under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sheffield and a Master’s in IT and Communications Law from Queen Mary University of London.
Recently, Waita was appointed Managing Director for Africa Advisory at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
This new move marks a new phase in his career after a notable tenure in public service and a brief political campaign for Machakos County governor in 2022.
Education
Waita holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Sheffield, where he studied from 1996 to 1999.
He later earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in IT and Communications Law from Queen Mary University of London in 2015.
Waita’s educational journey included attending prestigious institutions such as Saint Mary’s School for primary education and Nairobi School for secondary education, where he completed his O-levels and International Baccalaureate.
Early career
Waita began his career at Safaricom, one of Kenya’s leading telecommunications companies, in 2003.
He started as a legal intern and progressively took on more responsibilities, ultimately becoming the Director of Corporate Affairs.
In this role, Waita was instrumental in managing the company’s public relations, regulatory affairs, and corporate governance, significantly contributing to Safaricom’s reputation and growth within the competitive telecommunications market.
In 2015, he transitioned from the private sector to public service, entering the government as an advisor to Uhuru, with emphasis on policy implementation and strategic communication.
In January 2018, Waita was appointed Chief of Staff at the State House, where he played a crucial role in coordinating government operations and ensuring that the President’s agenda was effectively communicated and executed across various ministries.
Additionally, he headed the Delivery Unit, which monitored and facilitated the implementation of key government projects and initiatives.
Later career
In 2022, Waita ran for the position of Governor of Machakos County. Although he did not win, his candidacy showcased his commitment to public service and local governance.
Following his departure from government service, Waita was appointed in December 2024 as the Managing Director for Africa Advisory at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
In this new role, he is expected to leverage his extensive experience in governance, policy implementation, and corporate affairs to advise African governments on various issues, including economic development, governance reforms, and strategic planning.
Awards and recognitions
Waita was honored with the Order of the Golden Heart, a prestigious national decoration, during the 59th Madaraka Day Celebrations in 2022.
This award, conferred by Uhuru, recognized his significant contributions to managing national development programs as Chief of Staff and Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit.
Additionally, in 2018, he was named among the Most Influential 100 in the Politics and Governance category by MIPAD, highlighting his impactful role in public service and governance.
