From humble beginnings, tycoon who became father figure to many families

Veteran politician and business mogul Njenga Karume was reputed to have a near-photographic memory in which he effortlessly stored his diary and telephone numbers. 

The recollection of events in great detail is the hallmark of his autobiography in which he tells enthralling accounts of his personal, political, business and family life.

Mr Karume wrote the autobiography, Beyond Expectations: From Charcoal to Gold, with Mutu wa Gethoi who told the Saturday Nation on Friday: “He never wore a watch, but he always kept time.”

According to Mr Gethoi, Mr Karume narrated details for the book from memory.

A man who worked with him and admired his memory was one-time central Provincial Commissioner and now Mwingi South MP David Musila.

“He would tell you something which happened a long ago as if it happened only yesterday,” he said.

“I worked closely with him when I was PC. He was a man of integrity, business acumen and he was held by everyone in high esteem. And wealthy as he was, he was a humble man,” Mr Musila said.

Mr Karume’s legendary memory is something which family friend, former Nation journalist David Muniu who covered him for a decade, is in awe of.

“You did not need to be introduced to him twice. It did not matter whether you were rich or poor.

“You would be introduced once in a crowd and two years down the line, he would call you by name,” said Mr Muniu.

So gifted was he, Mr Muniu said, that he did not carry a diary or notebook. He would commit appointments and discussions to memory.

“Back in the office, he would dictate to his secretary, from memory, the appointments he had made.

“He would expect those coming to see him to arrive in time. If, for any reason, he was unable to fulfil his appointments, he would leave a message with his secretary,” Mr Muniu said.

And in one of the more dramatic accounts, Mr Karume recollects in his book the day when a beer mug belonging to the then Attorney-General Charles Njonjo disappeared.

Mr Karume, who had hosted a party at his home, had gone to quite some trouble to serve imported beer — the brand Mr Njonjo particularly enjoyed.

But Mr Njonjo had a peculiar habit — he would bring his own beer mug to a party. After the party, Mr Njonjo realised his mug was missing.

In the usual haughtiness of the men in Kenyatta’s inner circle, Mr Njonjo called the PC, who contacted the DC who in turn instructed the DO to go to Mr Karume’s home and find the mug.

And, what is arguable Kenya’s most dramatic mug-hunts was conducted. The mug was found among other utensils where it had been put by a worker.