Ukur Yatani Kanacho was raised in Forole, North Horr sub-county, within a Gabra pastoralist family. Benefitting from a Jomo Kenyatta Foundation scholarship, he pursued higher studies at Egerton University before completing his Master's degree in Public Administration and Public Policy at the University of York, UK.
Beginning in 1992, he served in the Kenyan administration as District Officer and District Commissioner. He was subsequently appointed Kenya's Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna (2009–2012), representing Kenya in international security and energy forums.
In local governance, Yatani was elected MP for North Horr in 2006 and later served as the first Governor of Marsabit County (2013–2017), initiating healthcare improvements and peace building efforts. At the national level, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Labour before leading the National Treasury (2020–2022) to navigate Kenya's economic policies through the challenges of the pandemic.
