In a society deeply rooted in patriarchy, it is without doubt that Kenyans largely hold a slanted view that demonizes single mothers. In fact, with this prejudice, it is not uncommon for people to negatively judge people brought up by single mothers.
But there is always one thing about single mothers: they can’t afford to be absentee parents and they always prioritize their children. These women bravely take on life despite soaking in the negativity storm.
In this article, WOK lists renowned personalities who were brought up by single mothers.
James Mwangi
The Equity Bank CEO was brought up in Kangema, Murang’a county. Dr. James Mwangi lost his father at a tender age and this necessitated the mother to take over all parental roles. Grace Wairimu Mwangi (now deceased) was a woman who placed high value in education and ensured all her children attained literacy.
In a period of roughly three decades, James Mwangi has transformed Equity Bank from what was a building society on the verge of insolvency in the ’90s. He is credited with democratising banking through empowering the vast population that could not access such services. For instance, banks had a lot of bureaucracies and declared that people maintained a certain minimum balance, a matter which proved a hindrance for poor people to access banking.
Equity Bank has now grown to unprecedented levels, taking on the East African market and is currently establishing itself in the populous Democratic Republic of Congo.
Read Also: Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi Biography, Age, Education, Career, Family, Philanthropy and Net Worth
According to Mwangi, the bank’s philanthropy through the wings to fly scholarship was inspired by his mother’s emphasis on education as an equalizing factor.
Peter Nduati
He is the founder of Resolution Insurance, a firm reported to be facing difficult financial times. The self-proclaimed ‘eclectic entrepreneur with diverse interests’ was also raised by a single mother in a family of six.
Read Also: Resolution Insurance: The Once Buoyant Firm Now On Verge Of Collapse
However, Nduati is a man who has over the years accumulated his wealth after making his first million at the age of 24. Financially, Nduati has also faced rough times and has had his property auctioned twice. The renowned economist also has interests in entertainment and sports investments.
Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Wanjiku
When he vied for the Kiambaa Constituency by-elections, Njuguna Wanjiku was a political greenhorn. However, his narrow victory was an alarming juggernaut that DP Ruto’s UDA party was after dethroning Jubilee in the Mount Kenya region.
Read Also: John Njuguna Wanjiku Biography, Age, Background, Career and Alleged Kidnapping
The father of two was raised by a single mother who fended for the family by taking up menial jobs. Unfortunately, the mother passed on in 2010 and Njuguna had to depend on himself in paying school fees and meeting various daily needs. The youthful MP told TV 47 in a past interview that he once sold chicken intestines before venturing into importing spare parts.
George Kinoti
Kinoti is Kenya’s Director of Criminal Investigations. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a National Police Spokesperson and was also a renowned crime buster in Kisumu, Busia, Isebania and Migori. Kinoti who headed the dreaded Kanga squad was raised in a single parent family in Meru.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru
Her life best exemplifies the proverbial rags to riches story. Wanjiru was brought up by a single mother and she had to learn how to hustle at a tender age. Initially, she hawked earrings and also worked as a toilet cleaner.
Wanjiru is the founder of Jesus is Alive Ministries and was propelled to the limelight when she beat Maina Kamanda for the Starehe Constituency seat in 2007 general elections.
