Gathoni Wa Muchomba Biography: Political Journey, Family & Net Worth

Early Life and Education

Her real name is Peninnah Gathoni Muchomba, famously known as Gathoni Wa Muchomba from the Kikuyu community; she was born on 1st January 1975. Her ancestral home is Kmothai Village in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County, Kenya. She is a vocal and fearless woman.

Education

Gathoni Wa Muchomba was a bright student at school who gained her success from her low education up to achieving master’s and PhD; starting from her Primary school, she emerged top in her class, got sponsorship to secondary studies at Precious Blood Secondary School in Riruta, Kiambu County, later joined the giant University of Nairobi from 2000 and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Education Arts, she went back in the same institution and achieved Master of Arts in Communication in 2005. She proceeded with her studies at the University of Nairobi and completed a certificate in Disaster Management in 2007 and, later, in 2018, a PhD in Women’s Studies. She has a well-decorated history in her studies.

Career in Journalism and Entrepreneurship

Through her passion for journalism, Gathoni started her job career at Kameme FM in 1999 while still at university, where she hosted a farming program; later, she joined Inooro FM in 2004 on a morning breakfast show . Through her experience in media, in 2005, she started Smart Media College in Nairobi; the institution grew and later opened several other branches, and after years of gaining much experience in the field and potential in terms of finance, she established Utugi Television, a Kikuyu station mostly running farming programs, in August 2016.

Political Journey

Gathoni later, through her influence in media and farming, decided to enter politics in 2017. She vied for Kiambu County Women’s Representative under the Jubilee Party. In 2022, she joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and was elected a Member of Parliament for the Githunguri Constituency.

Gathoni Wa Muchomba during a political function

The challenges she encountered in her political career

Gathoni has been a vocal critic of some government policies; she opposed the Finance Bill and Housing Levy.

Despite political isolation and threats, she consistently upholds her principles and speaks the truth with unwavering dedication. In March 2025, she criticized President Ruto for not always fulfilling his promises, citing failing farmers and over-taxation.

Here is her statement accounting for Ruto.

”The next thing that made me feel that President Ruto’s regime, led by him, was not honest is when he supplied us with subsidized, under-targeted fertilizers. How can my mother and farmers complain about fertilizer, yet the President calls it propaganda?” Wamuchomba questioned.

Family Life

Gathoni has a husband, Robert Mbugua; they have three children.

Net Worth

As of April 2025, Gathoni Wa Muchomba’s net worth is estimated to be 920 million. She is a businesswoman who owns media colleges, a passionate farmer, and a political activist; her wealth keeps growing.