Jimi Wanjigi’s father Maina Wanjigi has died.
Wanjigi died at the Nairobi Hospital on Friday, June 28, 2024, aged 92.
Before retiring from active politics, Wanjigi served in various capacities after becoming the Member of Parliament for Kamukunji constituency in 1969 following the assassination of Tom Mboya.
During the late President Jomo Kenyatta’s era, Wanjigi held the position of Director of Settlement of the Million Acre Settlement Scheme, where he is credited for settling thousands of landless Kenyans.
He would later be defeated in the 1979 elections by George Gor who was the Luo Union chairman.
However, he would be appointed as Chairman of Kenya Airways by then-President Daniel Moi.
Wanjigi took Parliament by surprise in 1973 when he advocated for free primary education, a dream which would be achieved 30 years later by the third President Mwai Kibaki.
The late President Daniel Moi would later appoint Wanjigi to be the Minister of Tourism, Agriculture and Public Works.
The politician worked with the government for over 25 years in various capacities before branching out to focus on his businesses.
Wanjigi-Moi fall out
Wanjigi fell out of favour with Moi in 1990 after he openly advocated for multi-party democracy, leading to his arrest.
He was detained at the Lang’ata Police Station for three days before being taken to court. However, no charges were preferred against him.
Angered by this, Wanjigi joined Opposition leader Kenneth Matiba’s Ford-Asili where they unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone Moi.
Wanjigi managed Carbacid Investments for 48 years before retiring in 2018 as his age advanced.
In the run-up to the 2022 General elections, Maina Wanjigi gave Jimi Wanjigi his blessings to run for the presidency.
The ODM party would, however, settle on Raila Odinga to contest for the presidency against United Democratic Alliance leader William Ruto.
