Teresia Wairimu Kirima, the wife of the late tycoon Gerishon Kamau Kirima penned a moving message in his memory.
Reminiscing his death on December 21,2010, through a paid space in local dailies, Wairimu stated as a family they think about him every day.
“My dear husband, exactly thirteen years today you left us, and our lives will never be the same again.
Not a day goes by without thinking of you. In death as in life you still make a difference. You are still the center of all our lives,” she noted.
Subsequently, Wairimu described Kirima as the most dynamic, disciplined, intelligent and loving husband and father they had.
“You were unique in your thoughts and how you did things, in all my life one thing I’m sure of is that there will never be another like you,” she added.
The late Gerishon Kamau Kirima was born in 1932 in Kiruri village, Murang’a County, Kenya. He died in 2010.
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Despite limited formal education, young Gerishon displayed a natural knack for carpentry, a skill that would become the foundation of his remarkable journey.
Ambitious Kirima
In the early 1960s, as Kenya embraced independence, Kirima’s ambition led him to the bustling capital, Nairobi. There, he honed his carpentry skills, eventually working on projects at the prestigious Royal College (now the University of Nairobi).
His keen eye for opportunity soon saw him venturing into new territory, establishing bars and butcheries that catered for the city’s growing population.
Kirima’s true genius, however, lay in his vision for real estate. Recognizing the surging demand for housing, he made a bold move in 1967, purchasing a vast 500-acre plot of land from Italian settler. This land, located in what would become Nairobi’s vibrant Eastlands, became the cornerstone of Kirima’s property empire.
Over the years, Kirima transformed the Eastlands landscape with thoughtfully designed and affordable rental units, providing homes for Nairobi residents.
Beyond housing, Kirima’s entrepreneurial spirit extended to diverse ventures. He established a successful private slaughterhouse, contributing to the development of Kenya’s meat industry. He even ventured into the transport sector with his own bus company, the “Kirima Bus Service.”
Gerishon Kamau Kirima’s legacy is not without its complexities. His life story is intertwined with the social and economic transformations of a nation finding its footing in independence. While his business acumen and contributions to Kenya’s development are undeniable, his methods sometimes attracted controversy.
Today, Gerishon Kamau Kirima’s property empire continues to stand as a testament to his vision and dedication.
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His life story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder of the transformative power of hard work and ambition.
Njiru Land Dispute
In November 2023, a court made a ruling to evict thousands from 1,000 acres claimed by the Gerishon Kirima family.
Kirima’s family won a court case against three groups who claimed ownership through adverse possession or allocation by the Commissioner of Lands.
Those affected include 300 alleged squatters, a self-help group claiming mining rights, and a group claiming resettlement by the state.
The court ruled against their claims, citing lack of evidence or proper authorization. The Kirima family argued they were invaders and encroached after the owner’s death in 2010.
Similarly, the court ordered the evictions to be completed by December 31, 2023, raising concerns for the displaced families.
