One of Kenya’s most renowned, internationally recognised and successful entrepreneurs, Njeri Rionge, has passed away.
Rionge was renowned for co-founding numerous multimillion dollar businesses in fast succession, notably Wananchi Group, the owner of Zuku and the first mass-market internet service provider in East Africa.
She was originally memorialized on X by former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, who used to work with Rionge at Wananchi Online.
“Bye, bye, Njeri. We really will miss you,” he remarked.
Although not much is known about her passing, let’s look at her life, from being named one of Africa’s most accomplished women through her passing.
Early life
Njeri Rionge was the first of five children to be born.
Her mother was a farmer, and she learned the idea of buying and selling from her mother.
She sold yoghurt to her classmates when she was eight years old, launching her first company.
She went to the Loretto Convent Musongari High School and the International School of Kenya before relocating to Canada to pursue her studies.
Her LinkedIn profile states that she graduated from the United States International University with a degree in business administration and management.
Entrepreneurship journey
Several accounts claim that Njeri Rionge’s ambition to invent new things and find solutions to issues served as her inspiration for starting her own business.
She was inspired to take chances and go after her dreams because she saw possibilities where others saw problems.
Njeri Rionge claimed in an interview with Businessday NG that the thought of producing something fresh and original served as her inspiration.
She also claimed that she was driven by a desire to improve people’s lives and solve problems.
Njeri added that she was motivated by a solid work ethic and a readiness to take chances.
Njeri’s role on Wananchi Group
Njeri Rionge was crucial to the success of Wananchi Group. She was able to expand Wananchi Group into one of East Africa’s top satellite TV and internet service providers by concentrating on offering affordable, dependable internet services to the mass market.
She also served in prominent organizations as a member of the boards of directors for Unilever Tea (Brooke Bond Kenya), the Institute of Directors (Kenya), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), and Ambulance Air.
These positions reflect her extensive involvement in a variety of organizations.
Awards
For her work, Njeri Rionge has won various honors and accolades. In 2011, Forbes recognized her as one of the most successful women in Africa.
President Mwai Kibaki bestowed upon her the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) in 2012 in recognition of her contributions to entrepreneurship and women’s emancipation.
