The Immortals: The Githaes: Pedigree of education, business acumen

With teachers for parents in colonial Kenya, one thing that was obvious for the family was that the children had to be educated, considering that teaching was then the most prestigious career. And the children of Solomon Githendui Githae became notable as distinguished civil servants, academicians, business ‘bigwigs’ and politicians. The memorial hall at Marurumo Anglican Church in Mwea was built in honour of Solomon Githendui Githae.

Muringo Githae-Kiereini: President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s first nurse and Kenya’s longest serving Chief Nursing Officer attended Loreto Convent High School, Limuru and after clearing in 1958, was enrolled by her father in a Southampton nursing college, England, for a diploma in nursing. She later became a Certified Midwife at the Memorial Maternity in Edinburg, Scotland.

The alumnus of New Zealand’s Victoria University School of Nursing was instrumental in the formation of the National Nurses Association of Kenya. She became the first black African woman President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) besides chairing Kenya’s Flying Doctors Service.

The first African woman on the Global Commission for Aids at the World Health Organisation received an honorary degree from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel - the first for a Kenyan. She married former head of the Civil Service, Jeremiah Kiereini in November 1971 at their Karen residence, off Archer Gardens.

Prof Micere Githae Mugo: The playwright, poet and critic attended University of East Africa, Makerere for her undergrad studies and the University of New Brunswick, Canada for her MA and PhD in literature.

The author of Visions of Africa (her best-known critical work), The Long Illness of Ex-Chief Kit, Disillusioned, Daughter of My People, Sing and The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (with Ngugi wa Thiong’o), was exiled for political reasons and became Professor of Literature at the University of Zimbabwe in 1982. She now lectures at Syracuse University, USA.

Hon Njeru Githae: The law alumnus from the University of Nairobi has held the Finance and Metropolitan Development dockets in the cabinet after venturing into politics when he won the Ndia parliamentary seat in 2003.The one-time general manager at Pan African Insurance was appointed US Ambassador by  President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2014.

Dr Peter: He is the founding partner of Peter Githae & Associates, a leading consultancy in the country specialising in the fields of accountancy, auditing, finance, economics and development.

Purity Gathoni Macharia: She is the director responsible for marketing at Royal Media Services owned by hubby, SK Macharia.