Wambui Gichuri
New chairperson at IRC to push ambitious drive on Southern leadership, bringing deep experience from wide-ranging senior role at the African Development Bank
Published on: 20/10/2022
ACCRA | THE HAGUE, 20 OCTOBER 2022 - IRCWASH announced today Wambui Gichuri as the new chairperson of IRCWASH’s Supervisory Board, effective May 2023. Ms Gichuri had a stellar career with the World Bank and the African Development Bank; her last post being Acting Vice-President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. She joined the Supervisory Board in 2021 and will succeed Dr Robert Bos, who has served since 2016.
The announcement is made as IRCWASH continues to shift executive and management functions to its Focus Countries in preparation for the creation of a new Global South-oriented, networked organisation in 2025. The appointment will also bring Ms Gichuri’s experience to strategically support IRC’s continued investment in systems strengthening and to champion high-level political advocacy of water and sanitation.
Speaking on the opening day of the IRC’s All systems go Africa Symposium in Accra, bringing together Africa’s systems thinkers and WASH leaders, Ms Gichuri said:
“I am excited to be appointed and grateful for the trust shown by my fellow Supervisory Board members. I’m committed to supporting the team under the passionate and inspirational leadership of Dr Patrick Moriarty and his Country Directors. Today we must renew our call for water, sanitation and hygiene for all and I’m proud that IRCWASH continues to demonstrate to the world how this can be achieved – through a robust systems approach ensuring that those on the front line of change in the Global South are in the lead.”
The outgoing Chair of IRC Supervisory Board, Robert Bos, expressed his great satisfaction with the important progress Ms Gichuri’s appointment represents in the process of internationalising the Board that started when he joined in 2013. He said:
“Wambui’s leadership experience, wisdom and insight will bring new voice and direction to IRC’s evolution into a successful networked organisation. As Chair of the Supervisory Board, she will help IRC to ensure that sustainability and resilience are part and parcel of the expansion and improvement of water and sanitation services. IRC will remain a powerful player in the efforts to achieve SDG6 and the progressive realisation of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.”
Speaking on the occasion of this official announcement, Dr Patrick Moriarty, CEO of IRC, said:
“I am delighted to have Wambui Gichuri as our incoming Chair. She brings in a wealth of experience and a strong network from her years both in the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Her experience in finance is a particular asset at a critical moment for the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. We’re hugely grateful for the way Dr Bos has seen us through times of great change – and we look forward to continuing to enjoy his support as a champion of IRC and a founding member of our new Emeritus Board.”
For more information
Petra Brussee | Head of corporate communications | +31 70 304 4043 | brussee@ircwash.org
Biography Ms Wambui Gichuri
Wambui Gichuri was the Acting Vice President of the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex at the African Development Bank Group. She was responsible for the Bank's strategy, lending and other activities in agriculture, water and sanitation, education, and health, as well as the bank-wide work on employment and gender equity. Prior to joining the African Development Bank, Wambui worked at the World Bank in various capacities including as Water Practice Manager in Latin America and the Caribbean region as well as in the Africa region.
Wambui Gichuri joined IRC’s Supervisory Board in 2021.
About IRC
IRC is a catalyst of change, working in every corner of water, sanitation, and hygiene to build and strengthen systems that transform lives. With its partners, the organisation uses its expertise to deliver water and sanitation systems in 8 countries and 15 partner districts and 16 partner municipalities.
IRC works with local and national governments, businesses, and civil society, and with international partners around the world to promote systems thinking and delivery.
Its international team is made up of over 130 recognised water, sanitation, and hygiene service specialists and dedicated field staff, based in its focus countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Mali, Niger, and Uganda, as well as in the United States, and in the Netherlands.
For more information visit www.ircwash.org.