Karibu Magazine (Kings Edition) 2023

In November 2018, Kenya’s
High Commissioner His
Excellency Mr Manoah Esipisu
arrived in London with his
wife Ms Waithiegeni Kanguru-
Esipisu. He was already wellacquainted
with the capital.
Previous to his appointment,
Mr Esipisu had travelled to
the UK with his family on
various occasions over the
years. Mr Esipisu was born in
rural Kenya. He loved telling
stories growing up as a child,
and this passion inevitably led
him to a career in journalism.
Mr Esipisu studied Literature
and Political Science at the
University of Nairobi, followed
by a graduate journalism programme.
He started his professional
journey at Thomson
Reuters after university. When
he left Reuters, Mr Esipisu
became the Spokesperson
for the Commonwealth
Secretariat, interacting with
leaders and global issues of
the day. Mr Esisipisu’s position
as public affairs adviser
to the President of the African
Development Bank acted as
a stepping stone towards a
full diplomatic career. As a
former spokesperson at the
Commonwealth Secretariat,
Mr Esipisu’s experience in
securing and enhancing
Kenya’s interests abroad has
helped him in his current role
as Kenyan High Commissioner
to the UK.
HE Mr Esipisu’s wife, Lynne
Janis Waithiegeni Kanguru-
Esipisu, is an avid entrepreneur
among many other
talents. A Bachelor of Arts (BA)
graduate from the University
of Nairobi, she also holds a
SASETTA-recognised national
paralegal certification from
the Republic of South Africa.
This was awarded by the
South African Law School in
July 2017. Mrs Esipisu is the
founder and director of The
Grateful Women’s Company
Ltd, a social enterprise based
in London. She is also an
LLM Graduate (Master of
Laws - International Dispute
Resolution) at the University
of London. This adds to
Waithengeni’s repertoire of
skills including being a seasoned
communicator with
vast experience liaising with
government departments,
coordinating public affairs,
advising and mediating. She
is also a specialist in dispute
resolution, paralegal and
public-private partnerships,
public affairs and executive
assistance.
A key function of Mr Esipisu
as the President of Kenya’s
Spokesperson is to ensure
effective communication
and clarity of the President’s
message and to promote
service and delivery to the
Kenyan diaspora communities
across the UK and their
interests through Kenyan
diplomacy. Mr Esipisu believes
in the importance of Kenyan-
British relations, which rests
not only on trade but also on
the engagement between its
people. Many Kenyans visit
the UK for business, pleasure
and education, probably more
than any other country in
Europe. British troops train
in Kenya, and the UK works
together with the Kenyan government
to keep Kenya and
the region safe. Free and fair
international trade is an issue
that the High Commissioner
believes also to be important,
and one that embodies a
shared commitment of both
nations. Kenya and the UK
have engaged for over six
decades and essentially, are
‘tied by the hip’ with shared
values and principles. Mr
Esipisu has a strong reputation
as a formidable mentor
for journalists. He is in fact
personally accredited with the
training of some of today’s
best-known business journalists
in Kenya. Aside from
his work responsibilities, Mr
Esipisu is a keen writer and
he also loves to travel. As a
trailblazer in reporting governance
and economic injustice,
is also a co-author of the
book, Eyes Of Democracy:
The Media in Elections. He
has also spoken at dozens of
Kenyan events around the
world on African development
issues. Clearly, Mr Esipisu is
a truly global diplomat – in
every sense of the word.
HE Manoah Esipisu presents credentials
to Queen Elizabeth II
Image: Courtesy
Mr Esipisu’s wife, Waithiegeni
Kanguru-Esipisu received by
Queen Elizabeth II
Image: Courtesy
HE Manoah Esipisu Image:
Courtesy
Champion of the Diaspora Youth:
HE Manoah Esipisu with Nancy
Masila, founder of the Jasiri
Network UK.
Image: Courtesy
6TH KINGS EDITION | JUNE 2023 9