Early Life
Born in 1929 on Lord Delamare’s Soysambu ranch in Elementaita, Njenga Karume was the eldest of eight children. His parents served colonial settlers, and he spent much of his childhood under his grandfather’s care. This early environment instilled in him discipline, determination, and a drive to succeed.
Education and Early Entrepreneurship
Karume began school in Limuru before joining his family in Elburgon. After undergoing Kikuyu initiation rites in 1947, he set out to make his own way. Even as a student, he showed entrepreneurial talent, running a stationery business that outperformed the school tuck shop.
Business Ventures
After losing a clerical job for speaking out against injustice, Karume vowed never to rely on employment again. He started trading in charcoal, then timber, and eventually founded one of Nairobi’s first African owned wholesale shops. His ventures grew into a business empire spanning hospitality, real estate, and agriculture, anchored by the Jacaranda Group of Hotels. By the time of his death, his businesses were valued at nearly US$200 million.
Political Career
Karume entered politics in 1974, winning the Kiambaa parliamentary seat multiple times. He served as assistant minister and later as Minister of State for Defence. He played a controversial role in the 1976 “Change the Constitution” movement but later championed political reform. In 1991, he famously moved the motion that restored multiparty democracy. Over the years, he advised Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Family and Legacy
Karume married three times and had eleven children. Before his passing in 2012, he established the Njenga Karume Trust to preserve his legacy and manage his estate.
A Life of Resilience and Vision
From a humble charcoal trader to a billionaire businessman and influential national leader, Njenga Karume’s life is a story of resilience, ambition, and vision. His journey remains one of Kenya’s most inspiring success stories.
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