The late Nderitu Gachagua was a prominent politician and businessman, best known for being the first governor of Nyeri County.[…]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE▶
Nderitu Gachagua was born in Hiriga village, Mathira West, Nyeri County, to Nahashon Gachagua and Martha Kirigu, both of whom were influential Kanu politicians.
Nderitu, was born in a family of nine siblings; four brothers, and five sisters.
He started his education atIngorano Primary School and would late go on to pursue higher education at the University of Nairobi, where he earned two degrees; a degree in law and building economics.
Nderitu Gachagua began his career as a quantity surveyor in 1977 at the Ministry of Public Works, following his graduation from the University of Nairobi in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Building Economics.
He later served as the Provincial Quantity Surveyor for the same ministry from 1982 to 1983 before transitioning to the National Housing Corporation, where he held the position of Chief Quantity Surveyor.
He then formed his own construction company Triple Eight Construction Limited in 1987.
Before entering politics, Gachagua established himself as a successful contractor and businessman. His ventures contributed significantly to his wealth, making him a billionaire.
This financial success provided him with a platform to influence politics in Nyeri County and beyond.
Gachagua’s political journey began in 2002 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mathira Constituency on a NARC party ticket.
He held the seat for one term before he was ousted by rival contractor Ephraim Maina in 2007.
Nderitu Gachagua made a comeback into elective politics in 2013 after winning the gubernatorial race.
Running on a Grand National Union (GNU) ticket, a party he formed, he emerged victorious against the then-favored TNA candidate Wahome Gakuru, garnering over 140,000 votes compared to Gakuru’s 130,000.
His command over the populous Mathira constituency was pivotal to his success.
As governor, Gachagua’s tenure was characterised by a mix of assertive leadership and controversy.
He faced an abortive impeachment attempt and was known for his abrasive style that often led to conflicts with both supporters and opponents. Notably, he implemented policies aimed at breaking coffee cartels by marketing coffee directly abroad, although results varied.
Gachagua’s leadership style earned him a reputation as a “political cat” with “nine lives,” reflecting his ability to navigate through political storms and controversies.
His supporters admired his firm approach, while detractors criticized him for running the county with an iron fist.
Gachagua’s health began declining in 2014 when he started experiencing serious medical issues that required frequent hospitalisations.
He battled pancreatic cancer for several years before succumbing to the disease on February 24, 2017, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. His death marked him as the first sitting governor in Kenya to die in office.
Following his death, Gachagua left behind a substantial estate valued at approximately Sh2 billion at the time.
His will outlined that this wealth would be distributed among 24 beneficiaries, including his two wives and four children.
Notably, he acknowledged two sons he had out of wedlock in his will, ensuring they received shares of his properties which included several hotels and recreational facilities.
His estate management was entrusted to close relatives and associates, reflecting both his business acumen and familial ties.
- Olive Garden Hotel – Located in Hurlingham, Nairobi. This was later sold to repay his debts.
- Vipingo Beach Resort – Situated in Kilifi County, this was a significant family holiday home.
- Queens Gate Serviced Apartments and Spa – Located in Lavington, Nairobi.
- Lang’ata High Rise Flats – A residential property in Nairobi.
Residential Properties:
- Gachagua had interests in several companies, including:
- Hardrock Quarries Ltd – He owned a substantial number of shares here.
- Tripple Eight Ltd – Another company where he held shares.
- Mweiga Homes – Shares held by Gachagua were bequeathed to his brother.
Gachagua owned a fleet of luxury vehicles, including
At the time of his death, Gachagua had approximately Sh200 million in cash in his bank account and was expecting an additional Sh13 million from a business transaction…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
