Aniceta Kiriga is the visionary Founder and Program Coordinator of the Tharaka Women Welfare Programme (TWWP), an organization dedicated to empowering women and girls in a predominantly patriarchal society. With over 30 years of experience working at the grassroots level, Aniceta has established herself as a pioneer in community development, advocating for the rights of women and girls and challenging harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

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Aniceta's journey in women's empowerment began in 1991 when she became the first woman from her community to serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the Meru District Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization, Kenya's largest women's organization. It was during this time that she identified FGM as a major obstacle to girls' education and well-being. Determined to find a solution, Aniceta mobilized like-minded women and in 1996, founded the Ntanira Na Mugambo group (Circumcision through Words). This group launched Kenya's first Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP), offering a culturally sensitive alternative to FGM. The success of this initiative saw the FGM prevalence rate in the Tharaka community drop from 99% to 54%, and the ARP model has since been replicated in other FGM-practicing communities across Kenya.

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In 1997, Aniceta was elected as the first Chairperson of the Tharaka District Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization. Her leadership and advocacy continued to grow, and in 2005, she transformed the Ntanira Na Mugambo group into the Tharaka Women Welfare Programme (TWWP). The expanded mandate of TWWP includes not only the eradication of FGM but also the promotion of education, income-generating activities, and safe male circumcision.

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Under Aniceta's leadership, TWWP has made a significant impact on the lives of women and girls in Tharaka. Over 8,000 girls have participated in the ARP program, many of whom now hold influential positions in government and the private sector. The organization has also supported the education of 162 needy girls through its Sisters to School sponsorship program, with an additional 205 girls currently under scholarship. Furthermore, over 1,000 women have benefited from the Adult Literacy Program, and the Income Generating Activities (IGA) program has helped women achieve financial independence by selling handcrafted baskets worth over KES 1,000,000.

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Aniceta's efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2006, she was honored with a Presidential award, the Head of State Commendation (HSC), for her contributions to society. She has also been recognized as the Inspirational Woman of the Year by the National Gender and Equality Commission and elected as the first County Chairperson of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization in Tharaka Nithi County in 2014.

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Aniceta's influence extends beyond Kenya. She has been invited as a keynote speaker at various international forums to discuss women's rights and empowerment. Notably, in 2014, she was a guest speaker at the Ndajee Donors Conference in Chicago, organized by the Women's Global Education Project, and participated in a roundtable forum with Michelle Obama at the Obama Foundation Summit in 2019.

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Through her relentless dedication and visionary leadership, Aniceta Kiriga has empowered thousands of women and girls, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods and become equal members of society. Her work with TWWP continues to inspire and create lasting change in her community and beyond.