LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN WATITU GITAU

EARLY LIFE

John Watitu GITAU was born on the 21st April, 1947 in Murimo kwa Forester, Elburgon Forest Station where his father worked as Deputy Forester/ Senior Ranger. After his retirement he was appointed as Chief in Elburgon.

John was the first-born son of the late Chief Aaron PETER GITAU Watitu and Mrs. RUTH NYOKABI GITAU . His siblings are Rev. Beatrice Wanjiku Musila, the late SUSAN Wangui, Ashford Kennedy MUIRURI, ABRAHAM MAKIMA, Juddy NJERI Muchuki and the late SAMSON WANJEMA.

EDUCATION

He went to school at an early age at  Gichagi Primary School. His did his common entrance and was admitted at Michinda Intermediate Primary School. Where he sat for his  Certificate of Primary Examination.

He passed so well that he was selected to join one of the few prestigious Menengai Secondary School in NAKURU town.

His four years in Menengai saw him successfully and passed his Cambridge Examination and appeared in the then East African Standard newspaper.

Due to the passing on of our father on the 27th September 1964, his life got extremely hard and difficult but through mum’s hard work all the children got their education they desired.

After attaining a certificate in his (O) Levels, John immediately looked for a job to assist in the affairs of his father’s polygamous family.

John firstly, upon employment assisted his younger sister, Susan to join a secondary school in NAKURU.Where She successfully picked up her life to become a re-known business lady in Nakuru. Thank you brother John for your vision.

During his early employment life , John took care of his younger siblings especially with his first salary. His love for his siblings continued unwavering for he made sure that all his younger siblings travelled abroad to seek greener pastures. The late Susan’s children were also assisted to go America through the initiative of both John and Senator Musila, to ensure they got the education they deserved. 

HIS WORKING LIFE

The late John, worked in various companies: British American Insurance, Kenya National Assurance. He moved on to become an entrepreneur joining the mat ate industry. John, no wonder his drive was so great he could ferry passengers in his Peugeot 504 before he bought and managed his fleet of Nissan matatus. He became a director/ partner of Crossroad Line in Nairobi and Nakuru.

John also ventured into the printing industry and had his magazine called The Trade Guide Magazine. He also got into tourism and export business of African Arts and Crafts in his company, All African Crafts Limited. He perfected it so well that he travelled all over the world.

John has seen it all and his envy of aspiring for the best results and am sure all those who met John would glowingly applaud him as a towering role model and a mentor on family, Christian and cultural values.

MARRIAGE LIFE

John wa Chifu met NANCY NJERI a daughter of a prominent businessman in Elburgon ( you know the challenges) but love works wonders and in 1973 they had a church wedding.

John and Nancy were blessed with their first-born son Harun Maurice and ANN RUTH NYOKABI. He had two grand-daughters;- Jasmine and Alexis and a son in-law LAMONT Purnell.

John has bowed out of this earthly abode with distinction in what he did, believed and stood for. John WA NJERI no doubt, journeyed through life favoured by uncommon privileges and God’s blessings. Yet, John WA Chifu at no time did his abandon strong convictions, devotion to causes he set his mind on his instinctive fatherly compassion. Late John for instance,NEVER ever liked the taste of alcohol or cigarettes.

FARE THEE WELL

John’s abiding love will be missed by his loving darling wife NJERI WA John, his children Gitau and NYOKABI, son-in-law LAMONT, his grand-daughters Jasmine and Alexis. His aged mother Ruth NYOKABI, his brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law, friends and relatives and the entire Loresho Community.

JOHN YOU LEFT US SO SUDDENLY BUT REST IN ETERNAL PEACE TILL WE MEET AGAIN.