Kipruto Arap Kirwa is the former Deputy Leader of the Amani National Congress (ANC) and Former Agriculture Minister, born on September 18, 1959, in Nandi County.
He was born into a polygamous family of four wives and 27 children, and he is the last-born child of his mother.
In 1962, when he was three years old, his family moved to Tanzania after being displaced by white settlers. They returned to Kenya in 1972, ten years later.
Educational Background of Kipruto Arap Kirwa
Kipruto attended Kaplamai Primary School in Kitale, where he sat for his primary examinations in 1976.
He then attended Mang’u High School for his O-Levels (Ordinary Level) from 1977 to 1980, followed by A-Levels (Advanced Level) from 1981 to 1982.
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He earned a Diploma in Agricultural Engineering between 1983 and 1986 from the Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology (now JKUAT).
He holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Science in Applied Management and Leadership from The Management University of Africa.
In 1988, after his initial attempt to join politics was delayed, he returned to the Kenya Technical Teachers College to complete further studies.
Family Background
Kirwa married Jennifer Jepkogei Kirwa in 1994.
However, she passed away in 2004 following a tragic road accident.
Her burial in Kitale was attended by several Kenyan dignitaries, including then-Vice President Moody Awori, ministers like Linah Kilimo, and MPs such as William Ruto.
He has three children.
Career background of Kipruto Arap Kirwa
From 1986 to 1988, he worked as a secondary school teacher and headmaster at Tilol Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County.
Later, Kipruto resigned to enter politics, marking a shift from teaching to public service.
In 1990, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cherangany Constituency in Trans Nzoia County in a by-election, defeating veteran politician Masinde Muliro at the age of 33.
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Kipruto was later re-elected in subsequent general elections, serving multiple terms as MP for Cherangany.
From 1993 to 1997, he served as an MP affiliated with the Kenya African National Union (KANU), and in his second term, he was an MP affiliated with the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC).
From 1998 to 2002, also served as Assistant Minister in the Cabinet.
His most prominent role came under President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, where he served as the 15th Minister of Agriculture. He is credited with significant policy shifts and reviving the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) during this period.
From 2008 to September 2012, Kirwa served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Somalia and as the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Special Envoy to Somalia for Peace and National Reconciliation.
In 2017, ahead of elections, Kipruto was selected by Musalia Mudavadi to serve as Deputy Party Leader of the Amani National Congress (ANC). He served in this capacity while actively involved in NASA (National Super Alliance) power deal matters around April 2017.
In 2022, he resigned as the Vice Chairman of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)/ANC and joined the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
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