Gitau Thabanja is the City Manager of Nakuru City under the Nakuru County Government in Kenya, a position he has held since 2019. In this capacity, he leads the city’s administrative functions, bringing a dynamic and transformative approach to urban governance and planning.

At the continental level, Thabanja serves as the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Coordinator for Africa in the Craft and Folk Arts category. Nationally, he represents Kenyan cities in the Council of Governors under the City and Municipal Managers caucus.

He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Administration and Planning from the University of Seoul, South Korea (2019), which provided him with critical insights into effective city management. He also holds a Master’s degree in Governance and Ethics from Mount Kenya University, and a Bachelor of Education (Arts), with a specialization in Economics and Business Studies, from Kenyatta University.

Previously, Thabanja served as the County Executive Committee Member for Land, Housing, and Physical Planning in Nyandarua County, a role that enhanced his practical expertise in local governance, urban development, and policy implementation.