Cathy Irungu

Vendor Biography

Cathy Irungu is a distinguished Kenyan public affairs strategist, entrepreneur, and community mobilizer whose work spans civic engagement, development consultancy, and women’s leadership across Africa and beyond. She brings a rare combination of strategic foresight and frontline experience to the spaces she serves, standing today as a leading voice for ethical leadership and shifting civic consciousness.

• Political Strategy & Governance

Cathy’s career reflects a deep-seated commitment to public service. She has navigated the complexities of Kenya’s political landscape firsthand, having campaigned for the roles of Nyeri County Woman Representative, Member of Parliament for Mathĩra Constituency, and Nairobi Senator. These high-stakes contests placed her at the center of the nation’s political discourse, offering her invaluable insights into the “unwritten rules” of governance, public accountability, and the intricate dynamics of power – insights she now shares in her writing.

• Global Development & Strategic Partnerships

Beyond politics, Cathy has led high-impact initiatives in collaboration with major global bodies including the European Union (EU), UNESCO, AMREF, USAID, UN Women, and UNDP. Her consultancy work focuses on critical areas such as health systems strengthening, climate resilience, economic recovery, and youth leadership. As the founder of the African Food Security and Environmental Programme (AFSEP), she has actively advocated for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental justice across Kenya’s 47 counties. 

• Current Leadership & Influence

Currently serving as the COMESA Countries Representative for the ACE Health Foundation and its Global Leaders of Excellence Network (AGLEN), Cathy engages directly with leaders across government, civil society, and the private sector. In this capacity, she fosters cross-border collaboration and builds capacity to amplify the voices of African women in leadership.

Through her organization, Triple Re Centre (“Restore, Rebuild, Restart”), she continues to mentor emerging leaders and champion a redefined model of leadership that values service above status. Her memoir, Unwritten Political Rules, draws from this rich tapestry of interactions with heads of state, diplomats, and community elders to challenge the status quo.