FRED MATIANGI PROFILE
DATE OF BIRTH | 22 April 1968 |
GENDER | Male |
OCCUPATION | Politician, governance expert |
FAMILY | Married, 2 children |
Dr. Fred Okango Matiangi is a governance and program implementation expert, a former Cabinet Minister, and an aspiring politician with aspirations to run for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Career
Matiangi gained prominence due to a series of reforms he implemented across various governmental departments, particularly in the education sector, where he restored order and integrity.
He was born in Borabu, Nyamira District, Kenya. Matiangi earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kenyatta University and later pursued a Master’s degree in English from the University of Nairobi. He also holds a PhD in Communication and Comparative Literature from the University of Nairobi.
Before his appointment as a Cabinet Minister in 2013 by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiangi worked as the Eastern Africa Regional Representative for the Centre for International Development, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, at the State University of New York.
He has also held various research and program implementation roles with both local and international organisations.
Additionally, he has consulted for notable entities including the World Bank, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the United Nations Development Programme. Furthermore, he served as a lecturer at both the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University.
On April 23, 2013, Matiangi was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Technology.
During his tenure as ICT Minister, he oversaw Kenya’s transition from analog to digital broadcasting, significantly enhancing the quality and accessibility of television services. He also led initiatives to improve ICT infrastructure, including the expansion of fibre optic networks, which bolstered internet connectivity throughout the country.
Later, President Kenyatta appointed him to the Ministry of Education. As Education Cabinet Secretary, he implemented measures to combat cheating and other malpractices in national examinations, including enhanced security protocols and the timely release of exam results.
He was also responsible for the development and implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasises equipping students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the job market.
In January 2018, he was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government, a position he held until 2022 after the August general elections.
Family
The former Cabinet Secretary is married and has two children.
Net Worth
Throughout his career, the former Cabinet Secretary has held high-ranking positions in government, which provided him with substantial earnings.
He has also worked for several organisations outside the Kenyan government, earning competitive salaries.
Matiangi owns a palatial mansion in Nyamira County, as well as a multi-million mansion in Karen, and he drives high-end vehicles, such as a V8.
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