November 26, 2024

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Meet Ex-Mungiki Leader Maina Njenga’s Mother-In-Law Who is a Gospel Singer

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Former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga married a daughter of gospel musician Elizabeth Nyambere but his wife was killed six years ago.

Grace Wairimu was shot dead alongside four other men by unknown people along Gilgil-Nyahururu road on May 24, 2014.

They were traveling to Nyahururu using a Subaru Forester and Toyota Premio. They were sprayed with bullets but Njenga escaped with gunshot wounds. He claimed the killers were police officers.

Scene of Wairimu’s murder by gunmen. [Photo: Courtesy]

Njenga married Wairimu after his first wife Virginia Nyakio died in 2011.

He renounced the killer sect, became a pastor and settled with Nyambere’s daughter. In last elections he vied but lost the Laikipia Senator seat.

Nyambere, his mother-in-law is popular for her hit songs Ni Muoyo Maita Igana (It’s Life How Many times) Mutumia Musamaria (Good Samaritan) and others.

Maina Njenga and Nyambere during burial of Wairimu. [Photo: Courtesy]

She eulogised her daughter with an emotional song; Wairimu Thii Uhoro (Go Well Wairimu).

The seasoned musician hails from Kangema in Murang’a county and her journey in music started in early 1980s.

Maina Njenga.

The second born in a family of nine started music while in class seven. Late legendary musician Joseph Kamaru put her in his band and allowed Nyambere to perform her gospel songs during his secular shows.

“I wanted a platform to mold me. Kamaru allowed me to perform gospel songs in his events and I sang as back up in some of his secular songs” Nyambere says.

Nyambere with her daughter Wairimu.

The 2018 recipient of Head of States Commendation (HSC) has about 50 albums but for 30 years she has battled stomach complications, being in and out of hospitals.

Late last year Nyambere held a fundraiser for treatment in India. Top Kikuyu singers drawn from gospel and secular realms joined hands to help her.

Screenshot of Nyambere’s song bidding goodbye her slain daughter.

In a past interview she said she almost gave up on life because of the sickness and subsequent killing of her first-born daughter.

An emotional Nyambere.