Nerima Wako Ojiwa is a Kenyan political analyst, governance expert, youth advocate, and civic educator.
Nerima is the founder and Executive Director of Siasa Place, a youth-led civic organization that promotes political participation, constitutional literacy, and governance awareness among young Kenyans.
In 2016, Nerima showed her act of selflessness by donating her kidney to her younger brother, who had a kidney failure.
Nerima’s Early Life and Educational Background
Nerima was born and raised in Nairobi in 1989, the third of four children. She attended St. Nicholas Primary School and later joined Aga Khan Academy for her secondary education.
Upon completing high school, she received a scholarship to study in the United States at Jacksonville State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Sociology in 2010.
Also Read: Meet Hellen Nyambura, Top Medic Who Made History as First Female Physiology Professor at UoN
She then earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University in 2012.
During her time at Jacksonville State University, Nerima demonstrated leadership skills by serving as president of the International Students Organization, a role that exposed her to issues of governance, representation, and civic participation.
Building Siasa Place and a Career in Governance
Following the completion of her studies, Nerima developed a strong interest in governance, democratic participation, and youth empowerment.
In 2015, she co-founded Siasa Place, a civic organization dedicated to increasing political awareness and participation among young people in Kenya.
As the founder and Executive Director of Siasa Place, Nerima has overseen initiatives to educate young Kenyans about constitutional rights, electoral processes, governance structures, and public accountability.
In 2018, she was selected as an Obama Foundation Leaders Africa fellow, joining a cohort of African leaders working to drive social and political transformation across the continent.
Nerima has also served in various public and civic leadership roles, including as vice chairperson of the Youth Coordinating Committee at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In July 2025, she was sworn in as a commissioner of the People’s Restorative Justice Commission, a body established by opposition leaders for political accountability and justice.
Nerima’s Family Life, Kidney Donation, and Personal Journey
Ojiwa has received widespread admiration for a deeply personal act of sacrifice. She publicly revealed that she donated one of her kidneys to save the life of her younger brother, Joab Wako, after he was diagnosed with kidney failure.
According to her, the decision was driven by family love and the desire to give her brother another chance at life.
The successful transplant has since become one of the defining moments of her personal journey and has inspired conversations about organ donation awareness in Kenya.
Following the kidney failure experience, Joab Wako and the life-saving transplant from his sister led him to become a kidney health advocate in Kenya.
He founded Transplant Education Kenya (TransplantEd), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation, transplantation, and kidney disease. the organization has reached more than 70,000 people through advocacy campaigns, community outreach, and partnerships with healthcare institutions.
Also Read: Isabella Njeri Becomes First Kenyan Female Professor in Quantity Survey
Joab, who studied industrial engineering at Jacksonville State University, has since become an international advocate for kidney patients and transplant recipients.
He has served on the International Society of Nephrology’s Patient Liaison Advisory Group, represented kidney patients at global health forums, and used his personal experience to advocate for equitable access to kidney care and organ transplantation in Kenya and beyond.
Nerima is married to Billian Ojiwa. She is also a niece of former Attorney General and former Busia Senator Amos Wako.
Nerima Wako Net Worth
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
