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| Photo/Grace |
Grace City, popularly known as Grace Nduta Wairimu, is a name that has become increasingly familiar in Murang'a County politics. She is the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) representing Kanyenya-ini Ward in Kangema Constituency, Murang'a County.
But behind the political title is a personal story that stretches from a humble childhood in Kanyenya-ini to public leadership, music and community service.
In a recent interview, Grace opened up about her childhood, her parents, her education, her early love for radio and music, and the experiences that shaped the woman she is today.
Her story is not simply about politics. It is also a story about determination, community support, difficult beginnings and the ambition of a young girl who grew up dreaming of becoming a media personality.
Name: Grace Nduta Wairimu
Popular name: Grace City
Position: Member of County Assembly
Ward: Kanyenya-ini Ward
County: Murang'a County
Political party: UDA
Who is Grace City?
Grace City is the popular name associated with Grace Nduta Wairimu, the elected MCA for Kanyenya-ini Ward in Murang'a County.
The Murang'a County Assembly identifies her as Hon. Grace Nduta Wairimu and lists her as the MCA for Kanyenya-ini Ward under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Her journey into leadership has attracted attention because of the contrast between her humble beginnings and the public position she holds today.
During her interview, Grace presented herself as someone whose connection with the people of Kanyenya-ini goes far beyond politics. She spoke warmly about the residents who supported her during the election and said she continues to remember them in her prayers.
Grace City grew up in Kanyenya-ini
Grace says she was born in Doine village, within Ishiishi sub-location and Ishiishi location in Kanyenya-ini Ward, Kangema, Murang'a County.
Her story begins in a family that, according to her account, did not have many financial resources. She described her parents as hardworking people who depended on manual jobs and tea picking to support the family.
Grace recalls that growing up was not always easy. There were periods when school fees became a major challenge and she would sometimes be sent home from school.
She also remembers moments when the family struggled with basic needs, including proper school uniforms and shoes. In her telling, some of the things that many children take for granted were difficult to obtain in her early years.
Despite these challenges, she says the support of the community played an important role in her childhood. Neighbours and members of the community sometimes stepped in to help the family during difficult moments.
Her parents and family background
Grace identifies her mother as Rhoda Wairimu, also known as Wairimu Kiragu, and her father as John Kiiro Kimani, whom she referred to as “Senior.”
She says she was the third-born in a family of four children. Her siblings include Joseph Kiragu, Bill Howard Jiro and Mary.
Grace's childhood memories also include a period when her parents separated while she was still in school. She explained that the family situation changed significantly during that period, with her mother eventually finding greater stability at her family home.
According to Grace's account, the wider community also supported her mother. She recalled how people helped build a house for her mother and assisted with establishing tea farming, giving the family a more stable source of livelihood.
Those experiences appear to have influenced Grace's strong emphasis on community and collective support in her public life.
The girl who loved radio
Long before she entered politics, Grace says she had a strong interest in the media.
As a child, she developed a particular fascination with radio. Her grandfather had a small radio, which gave her an opportunity to listen to programmes from the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and other stations.
She particularly remembers listening to children's programmes broadcast in Kikuyu. Later, her interest grew stronger when she became a listener of Kameme FM.
Grace says she dreamed of becoming an announcer. Radio personalities fascinated her, and she enjoyed listening to presenters and following their programmes.
Her connection with radio eventually became more than just entertainment. It became part of the inspiration behind her own public personality and communication style.
Her love for Kameme was particularly strong, and she has since appeared in interviews and programmes associated with the station.
A child who discovered music early
Grace also recalls showing an interest in music from a very young age.
According to her account, she began speaking and singing clearly while still very young. She says she could sing complete songs without necessarily undergoing formal musical training.
Music later became an important part of her identity. Her musical background is one of the reasons some people know her beyond her political career.
During the interview, her music journey was discussed alongside her childhood experiences and her connection with the media. A song associated with her earlier music career was also mentioned during the conversation.
For Grace, music and communication appear to have been important parts of her life even before politics became her main public platform.
Education and determination
Grace attended Doine Primary School for her early education. She recalls herself as an ambitious and sharp child who was eager to learn and express herself.
She says she completed primary school and scored 312 marks in her first sitting. She later repeated the class and was selected to join Rwathia Girls.
Her education journey was not completely smooth, particularly because of the financial difficulties her family experienced.
Being sent home over school fees was part of the reality she describes from her childhood. However, she continued moving forward despite the circumstances around her.
Her story is therefore also a reminder of how education can be shaped by factors beyond academic ability. For children from struggling families, determination and community support can sometimes make a major difference.
From village life to political leadership
Grace's transition from her rural upbringing to county politics represents one of the most significant chapters of her life.
She eventually became the elected Member of the County Assembly for Kanyenya-ini Ward. The official Murang'a County Assembly profile lists her as the MCA for the ward and identifies her political party as UDA.
Her election gave her the opportunity to represent residents in the county's legislative and oversight functions.
But Grace says she remains conscious of the people who supported her rise to leadership.
During the interview, she directly addressed residents of Kanyenya-ini and thanked them for giving her their support. She said she had presented a manifesto to the electorate and that the people responded by voting for her.
She also acknowledged that not every promise or result can immediately be seen by residents.
Among the issues she mentioned was the condition of roads in the area. She said she remains committed to accounting for the promises she made to voters.
A leader closely connected to tea farming
Tea is another important part of Grace's story because of her roots in Kanyenya-ini, an area where tea farming plays a major role in the lives of many families.
Her connection with tea is not simply political. She describes herself as someone who understands the experiences of tea-growing families because of her own background.
Her public statements in the County Assembly have also touched on issues affecting tea farmers.
In one 2024 County Assembly debate, Grace raised concerns about tea bonus payments and spoke about the challenges facing farmers in her area. The official Assembly record shows her addressing concerns around tea farmers and payments.
This has become part of her wider public identity as a leader representing a tea-growing community.
Grace City and the women leadership message
Another theme that stands out in Grace's story is her emphasis on women and the girl child.
Her own journey from a financially struggling childhood to public office gives her a personal perspective on the importance of giving girls opportunities to grow, learn and participate in leadership.
She has spoken about the strength of women and the ability of women to make meaningful contributions to their families and communities.
Her story can therefore be viewed from two perspectives: that of a politician who currently represents a ward and that of a woman whose childhood experiences shaped her understanding of hardship, community and opportunity.
A public figure who has attracted national attention
Grace Nduta's political profile has also attracted national attention beyond the boundaries of Kanyenya-ini.
In May 2025, she was arrested as part of an investigation into the alleged staged abduction of Juja MP George Koimburi. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said investigators had information concerning her whereabouts during the period under investigation.
Grace was subsequently released by a court on cash bail of Sh300,000 or a Sh1 million bond, according to contemporary court reporting. The court found that investigators had not demonstrated compelling reasons to keep the suspects in custody at that stage.
It is important to distinguish an investigation or allegation from a finding of guilt. The 2025 matter became a significant part of her public profile, but it should be described as a legal investigation rather than presented as proof of wrongdoing.
Why Grace City's story stands out
What makes Grace City's story particularly interesting is the journey behind the political title.
She grew up in a family where money was limited, experienced difficulties accessing basic school needs, watched her parents struggle to provide for their children and benefited from the support of people around her.
At the same time, she developed a passion for communication and music. The little radio in her grandfather's home became a window into the world of media, while her early interest in singing helped shape another side of her personality.
Years later, she found herself occupying a public leadership position in the same community where she was raised.
That journey is significant because it shows how a person's beginnings do not necessarily determine their destination.
For Grace, the story is also about remembering where she came from.
Her repeated references to Kanyenya-ini residents, tea farmers, women and the wider community show how strongly she connects her identity to the people and environment that raised her.
Grace City today
Today, Grace Nduta Wairimu serves as the MCA for Kanyenya-ini Ward in Murang'a County.
Her political journey is still developing, and her public profile continues to attract interest because of her combination of political leadership, media appearances, music background and personal story.
For residents of Kanyenya-ini, however, the most important part of her story remains her performance as their elected representative.
Grace has repeatedly emphasized that she wants to remain accountable to the people who elected her. Her promise to work on issues such as roads and her advocacy around tea farming are among the areas that have featured in her public discussions.
Her journey from Doine village to the County Assembly is therefore more than a biography. It is a story about ambition, resilience, community support and the search for opportunities despite a difficult beginning.
Grace City, or Grace Nduta Wairimu, is a public figure whose journey combines politics, music, media and a deeply personal connection to her community.
From a childhood marked by financial challenges and community support to becoming the MCA for Kanyenya-ini Ward, her story demonstrates the distance that can be travelled through determination and opportunity.
Her own account of her childhood provides a glimpse into the experiences that shaped her character, while her political career places her in a position where residents now expect her to turn those experiences into meaningful representation.
As she continues her leadership journey, Grace City's story remains one to watch—not only because of the political office she holds, but also because of the remarkable journey that brought her there.
