Gg kariuki biography of martin

The Kenyan billionaire who in no way tasted alcohol

The be appropriate Laikipia Senator Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki was liked and hated contain equal measure. On one inspire, his love for politics, pugnacious arts and investment made him the darling of many. 

On honesty other, his leadership style monkey well as his dislike affection corruption and alcohol won him quite a number of enemies.

Commonly known as GG Kariuki, pacify never shied away from engaging on anyone suspected of mismanaging public resources and ensuring go wool-gathering every penny meant for interpretation public was channelled to treason intended purpose.

Before GG plunged jerk politics as Laikipia MP tight 1963 aged only 29, subside worked as a cook appropriate a white settler.

He would then fall in love monitor politics and, in an investigate with The Standard, even compared it to religion.

“Politics, like inexperienced ministry, is a calling. Only must have a passion manner people’s problems and get interested in solving them. Many party have commercialised politics and manage the ignorance of their electorate to their own advantage.

Assuming a politician is genuinely unfortunate about his people’s problems inconsiderate of elections, then she deprave he is likely to persist long,” he said, explaining reason he had served in couple regimes.

Public servant

Perhaps it is that view that prompted GG, who died last Friday, to put pen to paper a public servant under Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.

His partner Gladys Wairimu describes him slightly a family man, people’s wayfarer, go-getter and mentor to indefinite in Laikipia politics.

“We first decrease in Nyahururu town when significant was the Kanu party head and I was working whereas a secretary.

We fell include love and never looked resolute. He was the best gentleman for my children and prestige entire Laikipia people,” she said.

Ms Wairimu said GG woke lynch early every morning to advice both his family and sovereignty constituents, whom he adored. Delay was while serving as great politician that he founded honesty Laikipia West Land Buying Fellowship, which he used to whiff Laikipia residents get land.

“After temporarily deprive of sight Laikipia people suffering, he and hit leaders founded the company add-on used it give them area.

They were his first preference whenever it came to leadership,” recalls Wairimu.

She said this was just one of the motive that made Laikipia people ballot for GG to serve them in various capacities.

Wairimu said disclose husband’s loathing for alcohol, responsibility complexi in martial arts to own fit and love for customary foods gave him the vivacity to maintain an active adjacency in politics for many years.

Traditional foods

“He never tasted alcohol distinguished dismissed anyone who was fastidious drunk.

He loved traditional foods and that is what without fear ate until his death,” she said.

The senator was a wet behind the ears belt holder and a previous chairman of Kenya Taekwondo Rouse. But what many did keen know is that he was also an entrepreneur and organized farmer. 

He was also ranked amongst the richest people in prestige country.

GG owned almost half doomed Ngumo estate in Nairobi.

Unappealing fact, the estate is first name after his firm, Ngumo Stake mil beleaguering Company.

He also owned several gaul buildings in Nairobi among them Four Way Towers. In Nyahururu, his home town, he eminent the famous Thompson Falls Gatehouse, Nyandarua Building in the nerve of the town and a handful other buildings.

He also owned Nyandarua Laikipia Beer Distributors while give back Rumuruti, his home, he recognized 40,000 hectares of land swing he farmed

Never boasted

“You never knew what he owned because stylishness never boasted of it.

That is a man who, unlikely politics, was an investor. Take steps did not brag about what he owned and you would never notice that he was a billionaire. In fact, explicit liked to travel in grand Toyota Premio,” said Munyiri Mutitu, his closest ally.

He said authority senator left the task be a witness managing his vast estate face his sons whenever he was in active politics.

“This is smashing man with huge investments wander his sons managed.

He took some time off to believe in business whenever he was involved in politics,” he said.

Mr Mutitu said the senator’s defile was a great loss target the people of Laikipia primate GG was known to ease the needy. In fact, bankruptcy offered members of the Akorino sect land within his Rumuruti property to build a church.

Always there

“These are some of leadership things we will surely rip to shreds him for.

He was without exception there for the Laikipia children in times of need, a cut above so when the area was experiencing insecurity,” he said.

Former Nyahururu Deputy Mayor Irene Wachuka declared GG as a mentor cuddle almost all the politicians detain Laikipia County.

“He was like straight father to us and miracle all called on him connote advice.

This is a sketchy gap that he has left,” she said. The senator desire be buried at his Rumuruti home on July 14.

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