Senior Chief Njiiri wa Karanja was the wealthiest man in Central Kenya during his time. Long before most locals owned anything of value, he possessed a transistor radio—the only one within a 1,000-kilometer radius. His immense wealth, accumulated well before Kenya gained independence, was largely derived from land. He was so forward-thinking that he secured almost an entire location in Kinyona, Murang’a County for himself. This was in addition to his livestock empire, which included 5,000 goats, 4,000 sheep, and 2,000 cattle.
Chief Njiiri was also the region’s top money changer, renowned for his ability to provide “loose” change when needed. He even owned a horse, a rare luxury at a time when owning a bicycle signified high status, such as being a headmaster or agricultural officer. His wealth and status were further evidenced by the fact that in the 1950s, his grandchildren were chauffeured to school in a Land Rover—an unimaginable privilege for most people at the time. He also sent his son, Kariuki Njiiri (who later became the MP for Kigumo), to study in America when few Kenyans even had access to basic education.
Chief Njiiri’s opulence extended beyond material wealth. He had someone carry his folding chair wherever he went, and while most homesteads lacked walls, his compound was fortified with a gate and a guard standing at attention. During the height of the freedom struggle, he needed protection due to his staunch opposition to the Mau Mau, whom he passionately despised. To demonstrate his loyalty to the British, he defiantly flew a 60-foot British flag outside his home. His allegiance earned him favor with the colonial government, which stationed policemen at Kinyona police station to guard him during the day. A police reserve helicopter would even deliver a daily copy of the East African Standard to his home, though being illiterate, he relied on his guard to read it to him.
His 42 wives and numerous children often scrambled to retrieve the newspaper whenever it slid down the slope towards the nearby forest, where Mau Mau fighters lurked, according to The History of the Loyalists (published in 1958). Chief Njiiri’s loyalty to the British reached Buckingham Palace, and in 1957, Queen Elizabeth herself paid him a visit. His efforts against the Mau Mau were also recognized with the prestigious Member of the British Empire (MBE) award.
Chief Njiiri, who married his 30th wife in a church ceremony in 1964, passed away ten years later at the age of over 100, leaving behind a legacy marked by wealth, influence, and a controversial role in Kenya’s history.
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