About Wainaina
Rooted in Thika, Rising for Thika
Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Makongeni and Biafra, Ephraim Wainaina grew up as every Thika child did – free, hopeful, and full of dreams.
From helping his parents earn a living to playing in the dusty neighbourhood lanes, he saw the beauty, the struggle, and the potential of Thika Town long before politics came calling. Those early days shaped his conviction that a better Thika is possible – one where opportunity meets hard work and every family can thrive.
A Leader from Day One
Leadership has always been in Ephraim’s DNA. In primary and secondary school, he was known for rallying classmates toward common goals – in academics, sports, and community service. On the playground, he was a unifier. In church, a dependable youth leader who inspired others to serve.
His journey in public life officially began in 2013 when he was overwhelmingly voted as the Secretary General of the Kenyatta University Students Association, representing thousands of students from across Kenya. Even then, he carried the flag of Thika high, championing student welfare and ensuring the voices of his community were heard.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Community Development from Kenyatta University, he joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Graduate Trainee in 2015, where he learned the principles of governance, partnership, and sustainable development.
He later brought these lessons home, serving as a Life Member of Kenya Red Cross Society – Thika Branch, working directly with communities on humanitarian aid and local resilience initiatives.
That same year, Ephraim was selected for the African Leadership Empowerment Program in Washington D.C., USA – a prestigious program designed to equip young African leaders to serve their communities with excellence, vision, and accountability.
He went on to serve in the Multi-Sectoral Initiative Against Corruption Think Tank for Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), advocating for integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership in the private sector – one of Kenya’s largest sources of employment.
Entrepreneur. CEO. Job Creator.
Today, Ephraim is the Director of Craftory LLC, an online marketplace for handcrafted products made by local artisans. Through the platform, artisans gain both local and international exposure and receive maximum value for their work. This speaks to his strong track record of empowering youth and small business owners.
Wainaina is also the CEO of Nainara Events, an events company that brings people together while creating jobs and supporting local suppliers – a model he intends to scale for Thika Town.
In addition, he is a Director of I-Clean East Africa, a professional cleaning company. He will be sure to use his experience to clean Thika Town’s political scene – to be free from corruption, inefficiency, and neglect!
Recognized for Impact
Ephraim’s leadership and innovation have earned him national and continental recognition:
- Top 35 Under 35 Award by Kenya’s Ministry of ICT & Youth Affairs and the United Nations Population Fund.
- Top 100 Startups in Africa (2018) at the World Youth Forum in Egypt.
Through the Africa Youth Leadership Forum, Ephraim has mentored young Africans locally and abroad – guiding them in leadership, personal growth, and entrepreneurship. His passion for mentorship remains central to his mission for Thika: empowering youth with skills, capital, and connections to shape their own destinies.
Building Thika Like a Startup
Having successfully run four startups, Ephraim knows what it takes to build opportunity from the ground up – vision, resilience, and teamwork. He sees Thika as Kenya’s most promising startup: full of potential but waiting for someone who understands how to make it rise.
His focus is to create jobs in Thika, attract investors, support small businesses, and empower farmers to access sustainable markets and resources.
Global Experience, Local Heart
Ephraim’s education and professional journey have taken him from Nairobi to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Dubai, Qatar, United States of America and China – yet his heart has never left Thika Town. “Thika ni Home,” he often says, “and every experience I’ve gained abroad is a tool I bring back to build home.”
Wainaina’s Values
Here’s the values that define Wainaina’s way of life, how he leads, how he serves, and how he envisions a brighter, fairer future for Thika.
Integrity
Doing what is right, even when no one is watching. Clean, honest leadership that earns trust through action.
Accountability
Being answerable to the people. Transparent leadership that delivers results, not excuses.
Honesty
Speaking the truth, keeping promises, leading with sincerity and making decisions rooted in truth, not politics.
Empathy
Listening, understanding, and responding to the real struggles of the people of Thika.
Inclusivity
Creating space for every voice - youth, women, and all communities to rise, contribute and succeed. No one should be left out.
Why He Chose to Run
For Ephraim Wainaina, leadership has never been about titles or positions – it has always been about people. He chose to run for Member of Parliament for Thika Town Constituency because he could no longer stand by and watch the potential of the great constituency go untapped.
Over the years, he has seen hardworking men and women struggle to make ends meet, young people full of talent but starved of opportunity, and communities left waiting for the kind of leadership that truly listens and delivers. His desire to address these challenges is what fuels his journey.
He is driven by a lifelong passion for leadership and community development, and by his love for service to humanity – values that have guided every role he has held, from student leadership to community volunteerism and entrepreneurship.
Thika deserves an MP who is present, accountable, and people-focused. Unfortunately, the constituency has lacked that in the current term – as the incumbent prioritized national politics over local service. Ephraim will always show up, follow through, and fight for the interests of the people of Thika every single day.
He is running to return leadership to where it belongs – to the people.