This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
Leaked e-mails have shed light on the inner workings of President Kenyatta's 2017 re-election campaign, revealing a high level of organization and coordination led by a Kenyan woman.
Nancy Gitau, who currently serves as a State House political advisor, was the overall coordinator of the campaign, according to the leaked e-mails published by the Daily Nation on July 21, 2019.
As the campaign's top coordinator, Ms. Gitau was responsible for organizing meetings, commissioning research studies, and overseeing other behind-the-scenes tasks to ensure President Kenyatta's re-election.
Every member of the campaign team reported directly to Ms. Gitau, the e-mails show, with she and President Uhuru's Personal Assistant Jomo Gecaga copied on all e-mail communications.
Ms. Gitau's role in the campaign is not surprising, given her extensive experience in politics and governance. She was first appointed as Senior Presidential Advisor by retired President Mwai Kibaki in 2007 and retained the position after Kenyatta took office in 2013.
Before joining the Kenyan government, Ms. Gitau worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 17 years, serving in various capacities, including as the leader for the governance and democracy sector.
Ms. Gitau holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master's from the University of Nairobi (UON).
