The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
Mr Charles Njonjo (left) with his father, Senior Chief Josiah Njonjo of Kiambu, on May 6, 1956. [Kenya Yeabook]
Born in 1920 to Josiah Njonjo, a colonial chief
Education:
Received his early education in Kenya (Alliance High School) and Uganda (King’s College Budo)
1946: Completed his law degree at Fort Hare University in South Africa and proceeded to attend Exeter University London School
1954: Called to the bar at Gray’s Inn
Employment
1955: Assistant Registrar in the Office of the Registrar-General
1961: Worked as Senior Crown Counsel in the Chambers of the Attorney-General
1962: Worked as Deputy Public Prosecutor
1963: Appointed Attorney General of Kenya
Njonjo weds Margaret Bryson in 1972. [File, Standard]
Marriage and Children
November 1972: Married Margaret Bryson from United Kingdom
Children: Wairimu Njonjo, Nimu Njonjo and Josiah Njonjo.
Public appointments
1963-1980: Served as Kenya’s first post-independence Attorney General
April 4, 1980: Njonjo announces that he has quit AG position to vie for Kikuyu MP seat
June, 1980: Njonjo appointed Minister for Constitutional and Home Affairs, designation changed to Ministry of Constitutional Affairs
The newly appointed Vice President, Mr Daniel arap Moi, is congratulated by the Attorney General, Mr Charles Njonjo, at State House, Mombasa, on January 14, 1967. (Right) Maurice Cardinal Otunga with the Attorney-General in 1975. [Kenya Yearbook]
Njonjo’s fall from grace and exit from public life
May 1983: President Moi declares at a rally that "a traitor" was being groomed by "foreign powers" to take over the presidency.
June 1983: Tourism Minister Elijah Mwangale names Njonjo as “the traitor” in Parliament
June 29, 1983: Moi relieves Njonjo of his post as Minister for Home and Constitutional Affairs
July 26, 1983: Moi appoints judicial commission of inquiry to probe the conduct of Njonjo
July 8, 1983: Charles Njonjo is suspended from Kanu
May 1983: Njonjo officially dismisses allegations of treachery
November 9, 1984: Judicial inquiry submits report on Njonjo to Moi
Commission report finds Njonjo guilty of abuse of office
December 12, 1984: Moi pardons Njonjo in speech to mark Kenya’s independence
July 1998: Njonjo is appointed chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Sources: Kenya Law, Reuters, BBC, Pathé, Who’s Who in Africa: Leaders for the 1990s.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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