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| Former President Uhuru Kenyatta |
Kenyans woke up to the news that one of the country’s oldest businessmen, Gerald Gikonyo, had died. According to family spokesperson Kanyuira Gikonyo, the patriarch died of old age complications at his home on Nairobi’s Luthuli Avenue. TUKO.co.ke shares 10 facts about the entrepreneur who lived for over 110 years. 1. Astute businessman Gikonyo was an established entrepreneur with lucrative investments in different industries. He, for instance, was among the brains behind Rwathia Distributors, and owned several high-rise buildings. Gikonyo also founded Magomano, New Kinangop, Timboroa and Alfa hotels. 2. Founded Sabina Joy Arguably, his most popular investment was Sabina Joy, a renowned entertainment joint in the Nairobi CBD. The joint is known for its vibrant nightlife and has remained a landmark for decades. The building houses several entertainment venues with a wide clientele, making it a major contributor to Nairobi’s nightlife economy 3. Gikonyo rose from humble beginnings It can be argued that his entrepreneurial spirit was etched in his mind from a tender age. Mr Gikonyo lost his mother in 1918 when he was only four years old, followed by his father four years later. He got his first-ever job as a farm help at Mathari Catholic Mission when he was only six years old. His work was to tend coffee bushes, a job he was paid was KSh 4. 4. Started business alongside Gerishon Kirima In the 1930s, Gikonyo and some of his village mates left Rwathia in Kangema, Murang’a County, to seek greener pastures in Nairobi. He and the late billionaire businessman Gerishon Kirima arrived in the city with tattered clothes and started hawking vegetables to make ends meet. Gikonyo also worked at the Kenya Coffee Planters Union (KCPU), earning KSh 20 monthly. They started saving and, as a group, acquired buildings in the Nairobi central business district, some of which they still own. 5. Lived his life to the fullest Gikonyo was not the type to be controlled by what society believes in. According to him, people tend to control how others lead their lives, a custom he didn’t ascribe to. He argued that doctors often tell patients to avoid “unhealthy food” like meat and alcohol if they want to live long. “When other people are avoiding meat, I eat plenty of it, take traditional brew, sometimes even bottled beer and above all, I love my snuff. No doctor will tell you to live like that but see me, I am over 100 years old,” he told Daily Nation. 6. Gikonyo was recognised by Kideoro, Uhuru Kenyatta On April 15 2017, then-president Uhuru Kenyatta and former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero honoured Gikonyo as a pioneer city businessman. He was given the ‘Key to the City’ for his multi-billion investment group that has employed over 100,000 Kenyans across the country. The recognition came with impressive perks, one being an exemption from paying parking fees. He was also given free access to all City Hall offices, facilities and functions. 7. Gikonyo was polygamous The late Gikonyo was a polygamous man who had four wives and 23 children. He once disclosed that his grandchildren were estimated to be more than 300 while his great-grandchildren were over 100. Gikonyo’s firstborn was born in 1936 with his lastborn being born in 1972. At the time of his death, Gikonyo was the remaining founder of the multi-billion Rwathia Investment group. His family described him as a strong pillar of their existence, the central cog of their wealth and a raw inspiration on how an African man should aspire to come, live and depart the world.
by Hillary Lisimba