#24
MUMBI WARUI, OGW
DEPUTY DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS, MINISTRY OF INTERIOR & NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
“You don’t have to wait until life isn’t hard anymore for you to be happy.” This mantra drives Mumbi Warui, guiding her to focus on the positive aspects of life and adopt a solution-oriented mindset. These qualities have propelled her career trajectory from the newsroom to public service and entrepreneurship.
Mumbi is a consummate professional with over a decade of diverse experience in public service and the media industry. Currently serving as Deputy Director of Communications in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, her expertise is evident in her strategic approach to communication. Her objective is to narrate authentic stories that resonate deeply with various stakeholders, leaving a lasting impact.
In addition to her role in public service, Mumbi also serves as Director at Starlet House. Founded in 2017, Starlet House specialises in public relations (PR), marketing, events, and media relations, showcasing Mumbi’s multifaceted talents and leadership in the field.
A significant milestone in her career was her dedicated service to the public during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, she was honoured with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) by the President of Kenya, marking her as one of the youngest recipients to ever receive this prestigious recognition.
In 2024, Mumbi garnered acclaim for her noteworthy leadership and contributions to the PR realm. She received the prestigious Top Women in PR, 2024 Edition, by the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), an award that she attributes to her go-getter attitude.
Mumbi embarked on her career journey as a journalist in 2013 at K24TV while pursuing a Mass Communication degree at Daystar University. Her entrance into the field was marked by sending a 5-minute video to the editor, showcasing why she was the ideal fit for the Business News Anchor role she discovered during her classes. Impressed by her confidence and production quality, Mumbi was appointed as a Junior Business Reporter and Anchor. Within a year, she secured the 2014 Annual Journalism Excellence Award in the ICT and Telecommunications Reporting category.
During her three-year tenure at MediaMax Network, Mumbi rose to the position of Senior Business and Current Affairs Reporter/Anchor. In addition, she served as a Presidential Correspondent, contributing to the advancement of trade and diplomatic relations with various countries.
Transitioning to Royal Media Services, Mumbi specialised in business and current affairs while continuing her role as a member of the Presidential Correspondents Team. Throughout this period, she achieved numerous professional milestones, including conducting exclusive interviews with dignitaries such as the President, Deputy President, and several Cabinet Ministers and government officials.
Throughout her career, Mumbi’s storytelling prowess has taken her to cover significant global business events, including the United Nations General Assembly, state visits, and prestigious conferences such as the International Tourism Bourse in Germany and the 10th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference. This journey is rooted in her innate desire to share narratives, a passion that emerged from a young age. Nicknamed ‘Kagechi’ by her mother for her talkative nature, Mumbi’s storytelling journey began early in life and continues to flourish across diverse platforms today.
With six years of experience in mainstream media, Mumbi sought to deepen her impact and understanding of government and public service. In 2016, she took on the role of Deputy Director of Communications at the President’s Delivery Unit. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in successful campaigns highlighting national government development projects and providing timely information on public concerns. Her efforts contributed to the successful implementation of key government initiatives such as ‘KenyaMbele’ and ‘GoKDelivers’. Notable projects close to her heart include the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital, Bamba Road, and the Mau-Narok-Kisisiri Road, among others.
Mumbi proactively addressed issues affecting stalled projects and fostered collaboration with other government communication officers to enhance overall communication on development initiatives.
Recognising her exceptional communication skills, Mumbi was appointed to join the COVID-19 Fund Secretariat in April 2020. Tasked with coordinating the distribution of food and material aid to needy Kenyans nationwide, the Secretariat facilitated collaborative efforts between the government and private sector. Additionally, she collaborated with the ICT Authority to document success stories under the Digital Literacy Program.
Mumbi enhanced her skills through advanced training with the United Kingdom Government Communications Academy (GCA) in Digital Communications and its role within government. Additionally, she completed a certificate course on Women in Leadership at the European University of Luxembourg.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in Communications from Daystar University, with a focus on Electronic Media and PR. Prior to Daystar University, she attended Butere Girls High School, where she completed her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
In her leisure time, Mumbi enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, immersing herself in books, travelling, listening to music, and taking long scenic walks.
As an entrepreneur and communications professional, she urges young women in the industry to keep trying, keep asking, keep believing and keep reinventing. She believes that by doing so, doors will inevitably open because ‘no’ should never be the final answer.
