Esther Wanjiru Maina

Esther Wanjiru Maina (born March 27, 1977) is a retired female long-distance runner from Kenya. She is from Kahuhia, Murang'a District.

On January 15, 1999 she finished second at a half marathon race in Tokyo. The race was won by Elana Meyer, who set a world record, while Wanjiru scored did also beat the previous world record by timing 1:06:49 She won the Sendai Half Marathon in 1998 and 1999, and finished second in 2000.

She finished third at the 2000 Osaka Ladies Marathon, setting her personal best of 2:23:31 hours. Wanjiru became the first Kenyan woman to win Commonwealth Games gold medal, although Jackline Maranga won 1500 metres later at the same games.