The Kenyatta family has been one of Kenya’s most influential political families since independence, with its reach extending across politics, government, business, and social circles.
Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya’s first Prime Minister in 1963 and later served as the first President from 1964 until his death in 1978 and his son, Uhuru Kenyatta, became Kenya’s fourth President, serving from 2013 to 2022.
Over the years, prominent figures have been connected to the family through blood relations, political alliances, senior government positions, and working relationships.
Mama Ngina-Matriarch of the Kenyatta Family
Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the widow of Jomo Kenyatta and mother of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, is one of the prominent members of the family.
She became Kenya’s First Lady when Jomo Kenyatta served as President.
Her children with Jomo Kenyatta include Uhuru Kenyatta, Muhoho Kenyatta, Anna Nyokabi Muthama Kenyatta and Christine Wambui Pratt.
Muhoho Kenyatta
Muhoho, who is Uhuru Kenyatta’s younger brother, runs the family’s business interests.
Unlike most of his brother’s political associates, Muhoho has maintained a low public profile.
In May, he appeared alongside former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at a Jubilee Party event in Narok.
David Murathe
David Murathe became one of Uhuru Kenyatta’s prominent political associates during the Jubilee era.
He served as Jubilee Party vice-chairman and was a vocal figure in the party’s political affairs.
Murathe was also part of the political network around Uhuru before and during his presidency.
Raphael Tuju
Raphael Tuju served as Jubilee Party Secretary-General and later held a Cabinet-level position without a specific ministry.
Tuju worked with the administration’s political machinery during the period of Jubilee’s restructuring of its political operations.
Fred Matiang’i
Matiang’i served as Education Cabinet Secretary before being appointed Interior Cabinet Secretary under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He served as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government and later assumed coordination responsibilities within government.
Uhuru, speaking at a political gathering in Narok County, openly endorsed Matiang’i as a preferred leader ahead of the 2027 General Election in a phone call facilitated by his brother, Muhoho Kenyatta.
“I see Matiang’i as a strong and resilient leader. He may be new to politics, but he is a highly effective worker,” Uhuru said.
Karanja Kibicho
Karanja Kibicho, who served as Principal Secretary in the Interior Ministry, worked with Matiang’i during Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term.
As Interior Principal Secretary, Kibicho handled national administration and security matters, and a close working relationship with Matiang’i made him one of the most influential figures in the government during the years of Uhuru’s presidency.
Raila Odinga
The political relationship between Uhuru Kenyatta and the late Raila Odinga became one of the most significant developments of Uhuru’s second term.
The two had been political opponents during the 2013 and 2017 elections before publicly reconciling in the March 2018 Handshake.
Uhuru later backed Odinga’s presidential campaign in the 2022 General Election, which made the former rivals partners in the final years of Uhuru’s presidency.
Martha Karua
Martha Karua also joined Uhuru Kenyatta’s political alliance during the final phase of his presidency.
Karua had previously been a political rival of Uhuru, but their political paths converged during the 2022 election period.
She became Raila Odinga’s running mate under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, which received the backing of Uhuru Kenyatta.
Beth Mugo
Beth Mugo is the daughter of James Muigai, Jomo Kenyatta’s brother, and Uhuru Kenyatta’s first cousin.
Mugo has had a long political career, serving as Dagoretti MP, Cabinet minister, and nominated senator.
She has also been associated with Mama Ngina Kenyatta through their family relationship.
Mbiyu Koinange
Mbiyu Koinange was one of the most powerful figures in the administration of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta.
He served as Minister of State in the Office of the President and also held Cabinet portfolios such as Minister for African Affairs and Minister for Local Government during the early years of independence.
Charles Njonjo
Charles Njonjo, Kenya’s first Attorney-General after independence, was another powerful figure during the Jomo Kenyatta administration.
He served as Attorney-General from 1963 until 1979 and became one of the most influential government officials of the period.
Mwai Kibaki
Jomo Kenyatta appointed Mwai Kibaki Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury shortly after independence. He subsequently served as Minister for Commerce and Industry and later became Minister for Finance, a position he held from 1969 to 1981.
Kibaki spent the formative years of his political career within the Kenyatta administration before becoming Vice-President under Daniel arap Moi and eventually President in 2002.
Daniel arap Moi
Daniel arap Moi had one of the longest political associations with the Kenyatta administration.
Jomo Kenyatta appointed Moi to government after independence, and Moi later became Vice-President in 1967.
When Jomo Kenyatta died in August 1978, Moi succeeded him as President and led Kenya for 24 years.
Jimi Wanjigi
Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has been linked to some of Kenya’s most influential political figures over the years.
He was associated with the former opposition coalition led by Raila Odinga and has also been mentioned in political discussions involving former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other senior leaders.
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