28 Facts About Njenga Karume

James Njenga Karume was a Kenyan businessman and politician.

Njenga Karume was born in 1929 on Lord Delamare's Soysambu ranch in Elementaita, the eldest among 8 siblings born to Joseph Karume and Teresia Njeri Karogo.

Njenga Karume's parents were both indentured servants under colonial white settlers.

Keen on pursuing further education, Njenga Karume proceeded to Riara in Kiambu after 3 years at Kahuho, but not before being baptized.

Njenga Karume was then admitted to the STAR age group in 1947.

Now considered a full grown man, equipped with some formal education and eager to fend for himself, Njenga Karume decided to start his life and moved back to Rift Valley closer to his parents.

Njenga Karume commenced his entrepreneurial journey by engaging in the purchase and sale of books, pencils, and various school supplies sourced from a nearby wholesale establishment, catering specifically to his fellow students within the school premises.

Njenga Karume had asked his friend the late John Njenga to join him, but he flatly refused claiming that it is dirty work and he is too educated to do such business.

Njenga Karume then began saving what he earned in the charcoal business to finance his timber business.

Njenga Karume held a diploma in business management from Jeans School.

Later Castle Brewing Kenya Limited, a Kenyan subsidiary of South African Breweries was formed, with Njenga Karume appointed its director.

Njenga Karume himself sought to distribute the products of both companies, but KBL was afraid of the competition and cancelled the distribution contract with Njenga Karume.

Njenga Karume took the case to the court stating the cancellation of the contract was unfounded.

The High Court first ordered KBL to pay KSh 231 million in damages, but upon appeal the decision was overturned and Njenga Karume was told to pay KBL for the suit.

Njenga Karume continued to distribute Castle Beer for a while until SAB left Kenya, finally ending his transport business.

Njenga Karume joined politics in 1974 as a nominated Member of Parliament and in the three subsequent elections held in 1979,1983 and 1988 Njenga Karume vied for and won the Kiambaa constituency seat.

Njenga Karume was reluctant to join the leading opposition force Forum for the Restoration of Democracy, foreseeing its split.

Njenga Karume regained the parliamentary seat at the 1997 elections running again on DP ticket.

Njenga Karume met his first wife Maryanne Wariara Njenga nee Waireri in 1951.

Njenga Karume married a second wife Margret Njeri Njenga in 1960 upon advice from his father in law that having two wives would help look after his empire.

Njenga Karume was a personal friend and key political advisor to Kenyan presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.

Njenga Karume had been having medical problems from late November 2011.

Njenga Karume had been taken for chemotherapy treatment in India and returned on 1 January 2012 and was undergoing chemotherapy at the Aga Khan Hospital.

Njenga Karume was preparing to go to Israel for further treatment but a few days before leaving he developed an infection.

Njenga Karume was admitted to the Karen Hospital on 17 February 2012 in poor health and as the week went on his condition deteriorated.

Njenga Karume died days after his close friend and political ally John Michuki.

Margaret Ndete his sister and who owns a successful chain of supermarkets, named Kamindi Selfridges, James Raymond Njenga who is his cousin and a retired businessman, his oldest living son Henry Waireri Karume who is a successful entrepreneur in the construction and supplies business, Kungu Gatabaki a long time friend and is currently a chairman for Letshego he appointed his Wife Grace Njoki Njenga as an overseer over his trust.

Investment News Kenya, 14 December 2009: For Kenyan Business Tycoon, Njenga Karume, Honesty Starts Right on the Cover of his Biography.