Gerishon Kamau Kirima left school at a young age to support his family in Murang’a County, working as a tea picker in Kiruri. His journey brought him to Nairobi, where he started as a carpenter at the University of Nairobi and later set up a workshop in Kaloleni with the help of his first wife, Agnes Waruguru.
His hard work and strategic hustle—selling furniture, venturing into meat supply via the Njiru slaughterhouse, and acquiring extensive real estate—propelled him into the billionaire ranks. By 1967, he had amassed hundreds of acres in Nairobi suburbs like Njiru and Kariobangi, and launched rental businesses that, by 2005, yielded KSh20 million in monthly income.
Political Clout: From City Councillor to MP
Beyond business, Kirima wielded significant political influence. He served as Nairobi’s Deputy Mayor, became a Member of Parliament for Starehe, and later was appointed Assistant Minister under President Moi’s administration. In addition, he chaired the Kenya Butchery Owners Association—a role that mirrored his prominence in Kenya’s meat industry.
A Dark Twist: Imprisoned in His Own Home
In a dramatic and unsettling episode late in life, Kirima was reportedly locked inside his Kitisuru home by his third wife, Teresia Wairimu. Police had to break down three doors—including a grilled door—to free him. When he emerged, his swollen feet couldn’t fit into his loafers, and he tearfully embraced his grandchildren, lamenting, “I feel like I’m dying.” A police officer was said to have broken down in tears at the sight.
Estate Wars: Feuds, Court Battles, and Wills
Following Kirima’s death in December 2010, ownership of his vast estate—estimated between KSh750 million to over KSh100 billion—ignited protracted legal disputes. Multiple wills were contested and ultimately annulled by the courts, which appointed his widow Wairimu and daughter Anne Kirima as estate administrators, tasked with distributing assets to numerous beneficiaries.
The family faced conflicts over key properties, including the Njiru abattoir and large land parcels in Kariobangi and Kajiado. Some squatters were eventually ordered to vacate, transferring land control back to the estate.
Recent Developments: Shift in Estate Control
By March 2025, the High Court had removed Teresia Wairimu from estate administration, reallocating control to Kirima’s stepson, Stephen Kirima, alongside Wairimu’s daughter, Wanjiru Kirima. The court cited interference with estate assets and unauthorized control of properties as reasons for the change.
Legacy: A Complicated Story of Triumph and Tragedy
Gerishon Kirima’s life reflects a quintessential “grass to grace” narrative—from hawker and carpenter to real estate magnate and political heavyweight. Yet, his story ends in tragedy, shadowed by personal betrayal and a bitter inheritance saga. The image offered here embodies the complexity of his legacy—a man who achieved immense success but faced profound personal and legal turmoil in his final days.
