Njenga Karume
| Dr. Hon. James Njenga Karume | |
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In office 1974–2007 |
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| President | Mwai Kibaki |
| Minister for Special Programs in the Office of the President | |
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In office June 2004 – December 2006 |
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| Minister for State Defence | |
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In office 14 December 2005 – December 2007 |
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| President | Mwai Kibaki |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Yusuf Haji |
| Member of Parliament for Kiambaa |
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In office 1979–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Mbiyu Koinange |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Munga Githunguri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1929 Lake Elementaita, Nakuru District, Kenya |
| Died | 24 February 2012 Karen Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Citizenship | Kenyan |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Political party |
Kenya African National Union (1976–1991) Democratic Party (1991–2002) Kenya African National Union (2002–2007) Party of National Unity |
| Spouse(s) | Maryanne Wariara Njenga (m.1950– 14 March 2003 ) Margret Njeri Njenga (m.1960 – February 4, 1990) Grace Njoki Njenga (m.21 February 2006– February 24, 2012) |
| Children | Dr. Wanjiku Kahiu The Late Joseph Karume Njenga Teresia Njeri Karume Lucy Wanjiru Karume Jane Mukuhi Matu Nee Karume Henry Waireri Karume The Late Kennedy Njoroge Karume Albert Kigera Karume Samuel Wanjema Karume Emmanuel Karume Karume |
| Parents |
Teresia Njeri Karogo Joseph Karogo |
| Residence | Kiambu, Kenya |
| Education | Business Management Diploma, Kenya Institute of Management formerly Jeans School, Kenya |
| Occupation | Founder, Chairman & CEO, Karume Trust Fund and Politician (MP for Kiambaa constituency) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Teresia Njeri Karogo
James Njenga Karume (1929 – 24 February 2012) was a Kenyan businessman and politician. He was born in Elementaita, Nakuru District. He was considered a major political player in Kenya.
Njenga Karume was born in 1929 on Lord Delamare's Soysambu ranch in Elementaita. He was the eldest of 8 children to Joseph Karume later changed to Karogo and Teresia Njeri Karogo who were indentured servants working for colonial white settlers for a pittance. Njenga's amiable personality was always curious and deep. He had a very strong relationship with his grandfather whom he spent most of his childhood days with. This relationship earned him a memorable gift with his grandfather, a goat called "mbarathi" horse because of its extraordinary size. The gift came with a special blessing (gutwiro mata). Njenga's grandfather conferred upon him a blessing, that his goats would multiply endlessly in the fullness of time . He prayed that Njenga's would be so many that they would have to be called with a (coro) horn. The late Njenga's uncle witnessed the blessing first hand and saw it manifest.
Unfortunately, there were no schools for Africans in Elementaita. Because of that Njenga had to seek in Ndeiya, Limuru at a school called as Kahuho-Karing'a Primary school, at the beginning of 1942. Keen on pursuing further education, Njenga proceeded to Riara in Kiambu after 3 years at Kahuho, but not before being baptised in the Christian tradition. Even as Njenga pursed education back in Central Kenya, his parents moved to Elburgon and settled in Marioson Forest in 1944. He later joined them there.
As expected in the Kikuyu culture Njenga had reached the age at which he was expected to undergo traditional initiation or circumcision .He was then admitted to the (njata) STAR age group in 1947. Now considered a full grown man, equipped with some formal education and eager to fend for himself,Njenga decided to start his life moved back to Rift Valley closer to his parents.
Karume's first exposure to business was while he was in school. He began buying and selling books, pencils and other school stationary from a wholesale shop outside the school and would then resell the stationary to his fellow students in school. In his book he says that he put the school tac shop out of business.
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Wikipedia