John Makumi Kinuthia was a Kiambu tycoon billionaire and proprietor who established the Lavington Mall.
The venture capitalist, nicknamed Mr. Money passed away on December 5th 2018, aged 89 years. In his lifetime, John Makumi can say he’s lived Kenya’s version of the American dream.
Above money, John Makumi treasured his family. He lived with his two wives under one roof and ensured that his children got the best education, despite his leaving education at 16.
Early life
Makumi was born in 1930 at Kabete, Kiambu District. Despite coming from humble beginnings and limited education, he joined the prestigious billionaire’s club.
Makumi’s family recount that he achieved his immense wealth through sheer hard work and dedication.
At the age of 16, John Makumi quit school to quench his entrepreneurship thirst. An avid businessman from very early on, Makumi ventured into the chicken-selling business.
He’d buy chicken from Kiambu villages at a low price and resell them at a higher price, making a profit.
He saved his modest earnings and gradually invested them in land and real estate. By the time of his death, Makumi had amassed an immense fortune worth billions of shillings through his astute investment decisions.
Nothing testifies to Makumi’s unrelenting entrepreneurial spirit more than the iconic Lavington Mall established in Nairobi’s affluent neighbourhood.
This establishment serves as clear indication of his determination and passion for creating successful ventures with lasting impacts.
Other than Lavington Mall, John Makumi’s other assets include a 200-acre piece of land in Loitoktok, the Zadar Building in Wangige, a building that hosts Fountain Church near Fig Tree and Wangige Mall next to Makumi Road House.
Nairobi became too small for him. He resolved to own other businesses and properties within the East African Community.
John Makumi oversaw his coveted business empire from his office located in Lavington.
But what sets him apart from other rich polygamous families in the country was how he kept the peace within his polygamous family.
Furthermore, he remarkably managed to live with his two wives under the same roof. He loved his closely-knit family.
John Makumi lived with his two wives, Agnes Waringe and Irene Nyakio, and children in a multi-million lavish manor in Rioki, Kiambu County.
“As a gesture of our relationship, we have been staying together in my home for six months with my co-wife, with the children and later shifted to her home for the same period. That is how we strengthened the bond in our family,” Agnes Waringa said while eulogizing him at his burial ceremony.
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John Makumi gave his children the best education, sending them to attend the best universities abroad.
Although he was classified as a High Net Worth Individual, his children attest that he was a down-to-earth man. They recall how he would always drive himself to oversee business matters in Tanzania rather than flying or buying a chopper that he could easily afford.
“He was always ready to hit the road despite the long distances but never admired flying. Perhaps that’s why he never owned a chopper while e could comfortably afford one,” recalled one of his daughters Wanjuhi Kinuthia.
Wanjiku Kinuthia, another daughter, unsuccessfully vied for the Kabeste Constituency seat in the 2017 general election.
“In everything that dad did, he strove to create a legacy through his work, his community and love for his country, family and friends,” she said in a past interview.