10 things you should know about Charles Njonjo

Social media was on Sunday October 10, 2021 awash with reports that former Attorney General (AG) Charles Njonjo had died.

In a rejoinder, the family dismissed the reports terming them as greatly exaggerated.

“Njonjo is doing well and a matter of fact enjoying his weekend at home. Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I am well and enjoying my weekend at home as we celebrate Utamaduni Day,” the statement further read.

The former Attorney General, known to most as the late Jomo Kenyatta's Mr. Fix It, had a decorated career in his hay days and is remembered for his wise counsel to the founding president.

Here are ten things that you should know about Njonjo;

1. His father Josiah Njonjo, played a great role in his success since he was a paramount chief and amongst the first people who considered collaborating with the British.
2. He was in 1949, recalled by the colonial government to Kenya after it emerged that he was studying. This is after he had been given a scholarship by the British to go and study abroad. However, after two years of studying and graduating he decided to take law yet Africans were prohibited from pursuing the course.
3. He was the second Kenyan barrister after Chiedo More Gem Argwings Kodhek.
4. He served as the first Attorney General (AG) of Kenya, a position he was appointed to in 1963 as soon as Kenya got its independence.
5. In 1972, he married while he was aged 51 years. He married Margaret Bryson despite speculations that he would marry Margaret Wanjiru Koinange, a union that could have seen him become an in-law to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
6. He was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament for Kikuyu after the incumbent resigned from the position.
7. In 1998, he served as the chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
8. In the 1980s he equally served as the chairman of the East African Wildlife.
9. Njonjo was born on January 23, 1920 and he is currently 101 years old.
10. His political career was affected after the attempted coup of 1982, he was dragged through a judicial inquiry that concluded he had abused office.