Kabeere M'Mbijjiwe: Pipe-smoking Cabinet minister in Moi's era

Kabeere M’Mbijjiwe. (Courtesy)

Gilbert Kabeere M’Mbijjewe was a Kenyan politician, Member of Parliament for South Imenti Constituency and served in various Cabinet portfolios.

The politician, who was born in 1926 in South Imenti where he grew, was first elected to Parliament in 1974. He subsequently became the first MP for south Imenti under KANU. He served in the seat for over 15 years, making the longest serving MP in the region.

In 1980s, President Moi appointed him as Cabinet minister for Agriculture.

This appointment made him the first politician from Meru to be appointed to the Cabinet position. He also served in other dockets including Energy, Forein Affairs, Tourism and Health.

He had unmatched educational background, having attained Bachelors degree in Agriculture from Reading University in the UK. His father M’Mwirichia Mabura a senior chief during the colonial era were among few African leaders who strongly embraced education.

M’Mbijjewe attended his secondary school at Alliance High School before proceeding to Makerere University for a diploma in Agriculture. 

He subsequently enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He returned back to Kenya in 1950 and got a job in civil service.

His appointment to various Cabinet positions was attributed to his long time friendship with Sir Charles Njonjo, then a political heavyweight during the first years of president Moi’s tenure.

However, he was trounced by Kiraitu Murungi in 1992 who vied under Ford Kenya party. M’Mbijjiwe always stood out from his fellow ministers due to his pipe-smoking habit which became his trade mark.

His pictures with the ubiquitous smoking pipe alongside his long beard made him stand out in the Cabinet portrait during those times. M’Mbijjiwe succumbed to throat cancer in 2017 aged 91.

As an MP and Cabinet minister, he left a rich legacy not only in South Imenti but also in the whole nation.

Besides, politics, M’Mbijjiwe was also a respected Njuri Ncheke elder and a successful farmer.