Gg kariuki biography sample

The late Laikipia Senator Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki was liked and hated in equal measure. On one hand, his love for politics, martial arts and investment made him the darling of many. 

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

Commonly known as GG Kariuki, he never shied away from taking on anyone suspected of mismanaging public resources and ensuring that every penny meant for the public was channelled to its intended purpose.

Before GG plunged into politics as Laikipia MP in 1963 aged only 29, he worked as a cook for a white settler. He would then fall in love with politics and, in an interview with The Standard, even compared it to religion.

“Politics, like religious ministry, is a calling. One must have a passion for people’s problems and get involved in solving them. Many people have commercialised politics and manipulate the ignorance of their electorate to their own advantage. If a politician is genuinely concerned about his people’s problems regardless of elections, then she or he is likely to last long,” he said, explaining why he had served in four regimes.

Public servant

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

His wife Gladys Wairimu describes him as a family man, people’s crusader, go-getter and mentor to many in Laikipia politics.

“We first met in Nyahururu town when he was the Kanu party chairman and I was working as a secretary. We fell in love and never looked back. He was the best man for my children and the entire Laikipia people,” she said.

Ms Wairimu said GG woke up early every morning to serve both his family and his constituents, whom he adored. It was while serving as a politician that he founded the Laikipia West Land Buying Company, which he used to help Laikipia residents get land.

“After seeing Laikipia people suffering, he and other leaders founded the company and used it give them land. They were his first choice whenever it came to leadership,” recalls Wairimu.

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

Wairimu said her husband’s loathing for alcohol, involvement in martial arts to keep fit and love for traditional foods gave him the energy to maintain an active presence in politics for many years.

Traditional foods

“He never tasted alcohol and dismissed anyone who was a drunk. He loved traditional foods and that is what he ate until his death,” she said.

The senator was a green belt holder and a former chairman of Kenya Taekwondo Association. But what many did not know is that he was also an entrepreneur and a farmer. 

He was also ranked among the richest people in the country.

GG owned almost half of Ngumo estate in Nairobi. In fact, the estate is named after his firm, Ngumo Investment Company.

He also owned several commercial buildings in Nairobi among them Four Way Towers. In Nyahururu, his home town, he owned the famous Thompson Falls Lodge, Nyandarua Building in the heart of the town and several other buildings.

He also owned Nyandarua Laikipia Beer Distributors while in Rumuruti, his home, he owned 40,000 hectares of land where he farmed

Never boasted

“You never knew what he owned because he never boasted of it. This is a man who, outside politics, was an investor. He did not brag about what he owned and you would never notice that he was a billionaire. In fact, he liked to travel in a Toyota Premio,” said Munyiri Mutitu, his closest ally.

He said the senator left the task of managing his vast estate to his sons whenever he was in active politics.

“This is a man with huge investments that his sons managed. He took some time off to engage in business whenever he was involved in politics,” he said.

Mr Mutitu said the senator’s death was a great loss for the people of Laikipia as GG was known to help the needy. In fact, he offered members of the Akorino sect land within his Rumuruti property to build a church.

Always there

“These are some of the things we will surely miss him for. He was always there for the Laikipia people in times of need, more so when the area was experiencing insecurity,” he said.

Former Nyahururu Deputy Mayor Irene Wachuka described GG as a mentor to almost all the politicians in Laikipia County.

“He was like a father to us and we all called on him for advice. This is a big gap that he has left,” she said. The senator will be buried at his Rumuruti home on July 14.