Peninah Malonza
Peninah Malonza, OGW (born 7 March 1974), is a Kenyan politician who serves as the current Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, in the Cabinet of Kenya, effective 5 October 2023. Before that from 27 September 2022 until 4 October 2023, she served as Cabinet Secretary for Tourism in the Kenyan Cabinet. Early life and education 
Malonza was born in Kitui County on 7 March 1974. After attending local primary and secondary schools, she was admitted to the University of Nairobi where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology. She followed that with Master's degree in Project Planning and Management, from the same university. As of November 2022, she was pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Nairobi. She undertook a course in Economic Recovery Models at Kyungwon University, in South Korea. Later, she undertook a course in Community Leadership, at the Global University, in the United States. Malonza has a Diploma in Psychological counseling and is a Member of the Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors. Career 
From 2002 to 2006, she was Project Director at Changamwe Baptist Church. She later served in various roles at Compassion International Kenya, rising to the level of Partner Training and Support as Senior Director from 2006 to 2013. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Deputy governor of Kitui County under Governor Julius Malombe. Prior to joining politics she previously served as a Project Coordinator at AMREF Kenya. In 2022, she unsuccessfully contested for the women’s representative seat in Kitui County. She was nominated as the Cabinet Secretary Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage by President Ruto. The national assembly committee on appointments initially rejected her nomination as Tourism Cabinet Secretary, citing that she did demonstrate knowledge of topical, administrative, and technical issues touching on the ministry but was later on approved as the Cabinet secretary for Tourism, by the parliamentary plenary. In addition to being one of the 10 women chosen by President William Ruto, Ms. Malonza is one of only two ministers from the Ukambani region and the first Cabinet secretary recruited from the Kitui South seat since independence. Awards 
In 2015, she was awarded the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) award by President Uhuru Kenyatta. References

External links
 Peninah Malonza Biography, Education, Career, Wealth, Age, Husband As of 3 April 2023. 1974 births
Living people
Kamba people
People from Kitui County
University of Nairobi alumni
Kyungwon University alumni