MIGECAH LEADERSHIP

Ms. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services  

Ms. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo is the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services in the Government of Kenya. She is a distinguished public servant and legal professional, bringing over three decades of experience in law, cooperative development and public administration.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Cooperative Management from the Cooperative College of Kenya. She was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 2006.

Ms. Hanna Cheptumo began her career in the public service in 1991 as a Cooperative Officer in the Ministry of Cooperatives and Marketing, where she served with dedication and excellence for 17 years. In 2008, she co-founded Cheptumo and Company Advocates LLP, where she served as Managing Partner until 2024. Under her leadership, the firm earned a reputation for excellence in governance, public interest law and institutional strengthening.

As Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Hanna Cheptumo provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of national policies aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, child protection and development and the preservation of Kenya’s cultural heritage. She also oversees the coordination of affirmative action programs designed to uplift vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Beyond her official duties she is a family person and a devoted mother. She draws strength from her faith and remains actively involved in church ministry, particularly in teaching Sunday school children. Her personal interests include reading, mentorship of the youth and community engagement which perfectly reflects her deep-rooted values, compassion and unwavering commitment to holistic national development. With her own earnings, she has built houses for widows, paid school fees for children from vulnerable families and sponsored football tournaments in the village to foster community cohesion and steer youth away from harmful activities.

Ms. Anne Wang’ombe
Principal Secretary - Gender and Affirmative Action

Ms. Anne Wang’ombe is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in public service and a deep commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities. She has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs that address critical issues related to gender equity.
She holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration and Planning from University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kenyatta University. She has also completed advanced certifications in HR Management from Highpro Skills Training College, South Africa.

Ms. Wang’ombe is a professional human resource manager and educationist experienced in enhancing organizational growth through strategic human resource administration, policy formulation and implementation, and people management. She has rich experience in performance and change management and had demonstrated successes in human resource management and scheme fund management in large national organizations as well as coordinating multi-skilled teams.

Ms. Wang’ombe has held various influential positions within the public sector, including:

• Manager at Kenya Revenue Authority Staff Pension Scheme (KRASPA);
• Assistant Director-Human Resources and Administration at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI);
•  Lecturer at Kenya Methodist University (Nyeri and Nairobi Campus), Mt.Kenya University and Kagumo Teachers College

As the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Ms. Wang’ombe oversees the formulation and implementation of policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equity, empowerment of women, and affirmative action for disadvantaged groups.

She plays a pivotal role in driving the Department’s agenda to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Ms. Wang’ombe is dedicated to advancing a vision of society where gender disparities are eliminated. She is committed to fostering a culture of equality, respect, and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of gender or background.

Ms. Wang’ombe is an active member of the Kenya Association for Pubic Administration and Management (KEPAM).
Away from office Ms Wang’ombe is a passionate football fan and supports community-based teams. She also enjoys hiking, volunteering and reading in her free time.

Ms. Ummi Bashir, CBS
Principal Secretary - State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage

Ms. Ummi Bashir, CBS is the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage in the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services in the Republic of Kenya.

Ms. Ummi Bashir was born in Wajir County, in the Republic of Kenya. She is a strategic leader and cultural ambassador passionate about preserving, promoting, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage, #MakingKultureKoolAgain.
She believes our cultural heritage is a source of pride and unity for our country. It is what sets us apart and makes us who we are. As such, State Department of Culture works together to preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage for future generations.

Ms. Ummi is an advocate of the high court of Kenya with 11 years of post-admission experience in the field of Law. She holds a Master’s Degree in armed conflict & peace from the University of Nairobi, a post-graduate diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Zanzibar University. She is pursuing her PhD in International Relations, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy at the United States International University. 

She has worked with UNDP-Kenya, UNHCR, in the office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, served as the County Chief Officer in the Department of Public Service and Labour in Wajir County Government and also served as the Head of Legal and advisor to the Governor in Mombasa County Government.

The State Department for Culture and Heritage is poised to significantly contribute to developing Kenya's culture and heritage, honoring our heroes who contribute considerably to the development and growth of Kenya's past, present, and future, embarking on various initiatives to promote Kenya's cultural identity and ensure that Kenya's cultural heritage remains relevant in digital age through innovation and technology.