Nana Gecaga

Last updated

Nana Gecaga
BornMarch 1978 (age 45)
Kenya
Alma mater American InterContinental University
Occupation Corporate Executive
Years active2004–present
Known forManagement. A niece of President Kenyatta

Nana Gecaga (born 1978), is a Kenyan businesswoman and corporate executive, who served as the CEO of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), from April 1st 2016 to December 29th 2022. KICC is a building owned by the government of Kenya, which hosts conferences, concerts and exhibitions. [1]

Contents

Background and education

She was born in Kenya in March 1978 to Jeni Wambui, a daughter to Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya (1964–1978), [2] and Udi Gecaga, son of Jemimah Gecaga. [3] Nana is a niece to Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya (2013–2022). [2] She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing obtained from the American InterContinental University in London, United Kingdom. [4] The London campus of American InterContinental University was founded in 1978 and re-branded to Regent's University London in 2013. [5] [6]

Career

Gecaga works primarily in international marketing and tourism. She is credited with being partly responsible for Kenya's successful bid to host the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards. [4]

She has previously worked as the Head of Marketing at KICC. Following that, she was employed as Marketing and Special Programmes Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Tourism. [4]

Effective 1 April 2016, Najib Balala, the Tourism Cabinet Secretary appointed Nana Gecaga as the acting Managing Director of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, pending the selection of a substantive CEO. [4]

Other considerations

Nana Gecaga is a single mother of three children. [7] In July 2018, she was elected deputy chairperson of the African chapter of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). [8] She is a recovering alcoholic, who has been sober since 1999. [9]

See also

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References

  1. Biko, Jackson (17 August 2018). "Nana Gecaga on coming into her own as KICC boss". Business Daily Africa . Nairobi. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Muchene, Esther (April 2018). "I used to take 24 beers a day: President Uhuru's niece Nana Gecaga". Nairobi: SDE.Co.Ke. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  3. Maina, Anthony (2 November 2018). "The Gecagas wash their dirty linen in public over multi-million house in Muthaiga". Pulse Live Kenya. Jeni is married to Bethwel's son Udi Gecaga - she is also the mother to President Kenyatta's niece Jomo Gecaga as well as KICC CEO Nana Gecaga
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kangethe, Kennedy (4 April 2016). "Nana Gecaga named acting KICC Managing Director". Nairobi: 98.4 Capital FM . Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  5. American InterContinental University (10 June 2001). "About American InterContinental University London Campus". London: American InterContinental University. Archived from the original (Archived from the Original) on 12 December 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  6. Thomas, Dan (27 February 2013). "UK: Regent's acquires US for-profit uni, London". London: ThePieNews.Com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  7. Wanjohi, John (17 August 2018). "I Can't Find a Lover, 40-Year-Old President Uhuru's Niece Nana Gecaga Says". Nairobi: Mwakilishi.com. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. Mbuthia, Wanja (10 July 2018). "Uhuru's niece, Nana Gecaga lands lucrative International job". The Standard (Kenya) . Nairobi. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  9. Muli, Davis (July 2018). "This is my biggest regret in life: President Uhuru's niece Nana Gecaga". Kenya: SDE.Co.Ke. Retrieved 20 August 2018.