Uhuru Kenyatta Muigai is the son of Kenya’s first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. He is also the fourth president of the country to win the general election held in March 2013.
Biography of Uhuru Kenyatta
Uhuru was born in October 1961 to Jomo’s wife, mom Ngina Kenyatta. He attended St. Mary’s School in Nairobi, where he received his high school diploma before going to Amherst College in the USA to study political science and economics. He graduated in 1985.
After graduating, Uhuru returned to Kenya and ventured into business. He founded a number of companies including Wilham Kenya Limited, a company that sources and exports agricultural products.
His first foray into politics was in 2001. He was appointed to Parliament and Minister of Local Government under President Daniel Arap Moi. Thereafter, Uhuru held various government positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Treasury Secretary.
family
Uhuru Kenyatta has always kept the internal affairs of his marriage and family secret as very little is known about them.
Mr. Kenyatta is married to Margaret Wanjiru Gakuo, whom he says is his best friend. She is the daughter of former General Manager of Kenya Railways, Dr. EN Gakuo.
The couple officially married in 1991 and have three children: Jomo, Ngina and Muhoho.
Children: sons and daughter
Jomo, named after his grandfather, is the couple’s eldest son. He was born on April 8, 1990. He attended the prestigious Hilton College and Michael House in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands in South Africa.
Jomo Kenyatta is currently married to his longtime girlfriend Fiona Achola Ngobi.
Muhoho is the couple’s second child with daughter Ngina, the last.
Wealth (income and earnings)
Uhuru Kenyatta inherited a lot from his father. His father had a lot of wealth since he was the first President of the Republic of Kenya.
According to statistics released in 2011, Uhuru is among the 40 richest individuals in Africa. His family owns at least 500,000 acres of prime land in Kenya, along with countless businesses such as Brookside Dairies, Kenya’s largest dairy company, K24 TV station and a commercial bank in Nairobi.
Uhuru Kenyatta Net Worth is $500 million or Ksh. 50 billion.
Lesser known facts about Uhuru
- His name means freedom
The name Uhuru in Kiswahili stands for freedom. This is a name given by his father at a time when the Kenyan people were under the rule of the British. This is the time when freedom was badly needed, hence the name Uhuru. To date, numerous institutions and infrastructures have been named Uhuru.
- He worked as a cashier
Like any other president, Uhuru Kenyatta held various positions throughout his childhood before officially entering politics. Uhuru worked as a teller for Kenya Commercial Bank from 1979 to 1980.
- He was President Moi’s preferred successor
Former President Daniel Arap Moi always had a soft spot for Uhuru. He made him MP in 2001 and later appointed him Minister for Local Government. This was seen as a favor by the President as Uhuru was politically inexperienced at the time. In the 2002 presidential election, Moi chose Uhuru as his successor, but lost to Mwai Kibaki in the presidential election.
- Uhuru was part of ODM
As the leader of KANU, Uhuru Kenyatta made a strong showing in opposition to the draft constitution that was set to be rejected in 2005. This was the first time he joined forces with Raila Odinga to protest against the constitution. Their unity led to the founding of the Orange Democratic Movement.
- Uhuru is an ICC suspect
Despite being the acting President of Kenya, Uhuru is a suspect at the International Criminal Court and is currently on trial. After the disputed 2007 elections, Uhuru is said to have organized retaliatory strikes against the Luo and Luhya communities living in Naivasha and Nakuru. Although there was no direct evidence linking him to the killings, the ICC firmly believes that he pulled off the killings with strong support from senior government officials from the Kikuyu community. On December 15, he was chosen by prosecutor Moreno Ocampo among the 6 main suspects.
- Remarkable school life
Kenyatta attended St. Mary’s School, located in Nairobi. It was one of the most prestigious schools of that time. Uhuru later attended Amherst College in the United States. He graduated and returned to Kenya to run the family business empire.
- He lost a nephew in the Westgate Mall attack
President Uhuru was one of the Kenyans who lost their loved ones at the Westgate Mall attack. His nephew Mwangi Mbugua was shot dead along with his fiancé Rosemary Wahito and both died. This was one of the darkest and at the same time most difficult times for the remaining Uhuru government.
- He is a family man
President Uhuru Kenyatta is a family man. He is happily married to his longtime lover Margaret Kenyatta. You have three children; Jaba, Jomo and Ngina Kenyatta. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s rise to the presidency could not have come at a better time as his political career was nearly swallowed up by the ICC. Despite all the controversy and accusations, he is still a great leader and one adored by many young Kenyans. He is now the youngest President the Republic of Kenya has ever had.