James Mwangi Kirung’o, popularly known as Kahama, was a Kenyan businessman and entrepreneur.
He founded and owned the successful Kahama Hotels, Small World, and the famous K1 Club located off Ojijo Road in Parklands, Nairobi.
He was known for his astute business acumen and his ability to turn a small bakery and bar into a thriving business empire.
Kahama’s career journey began in Eldoret, where he started a bakery and a bar.
Meet the richest tycoons who control cement business in Kenya
He later relocated to Nairobi in 1982, shortly after being released by police, who arrested him for allegedly being among the planners of the attempted coup.
Like many other successful businessmen who had made anti-government comments at the time, Kahama was suspected of funding campaigns targeting the downfall of President Daniel arap Moi’s regime.
After the attempted coup by the Air Force in 1992, President Moi ordered for the arrest and questioning of such businessmen. Although the police questioned Kahama, they were unable to link him to the failed coup.
Kahama’s most significant achievement was the establishment of K1 Club, one of the most popular entertainment spots in Nairobi.
The club, estimated to be worth millions, has stood the test of time and remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Its success prompted the family to open a second branch along Baricho Road in December 1999, which they named Klubhouse 2.
Unfortunately, K2 was closed down a couple of years ago due to failure to secure a lease renewal from the landlord.
Apart from K1 Club, Kahama Hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa, and the Small World Country Club off Mombasa Road were the other hospitality ventures Kahama established.
The family also owns a 100-acre farm on Mombasa Road, a residential house in Parklands, an apartment in Kilimani, two pieces of land near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and two others in Nyahururu.
After Kahama’s demise, his estate was passed down to his spouse, Eunice, and their three sons, namely Stephen Mwaura, John Kirungo Mwangi, and Sammy Lonce Wakaina.
Stephen passed away in 2017, and his partner inherited his interest in the family enterprise.
The public became aware of the family’s internal conflicts over the management of Kahama’s estate, which was estimated to be worth more than Sh. 2 billion.
Kahama had desired that his family remain united and run the business empire together.
Unfortunately, after his passing, the family became embroiled in a bitter legal dispute that began in 2011.
Kahama’s widow alleged that his sons threatened to evict her from her home and denied their sisters access to the family business.
The sons, on the other hand, claimed that their mother had barred them from the family office situated in Parklands.
In 2018, Eunice requested the High Court to permit her daughters to replace her in the dispute over the division of Kahama’s estate, citing her age.
She also sought to have her three daughters take over as administrators of her husband’s estate. However, High Court judge Stephen Githinji sided with her sons, stating that the authority to switch administrators rests with the beneficiaries of the estate in question.
“Eunice sues in civil suit number 126 of 2012 as the administrator of the estate of the late James Murangi Kirungo. In the application, she intends to delegate the responsibility to Hannah Wangari Murangi and Nancy Wambui Mwangi.
“Other beneficiaries of the estate may not be for the position. This may amount to imposing upon them administrators who are not of their choice. The law does not allow such. The application lacks merit and is hereby dismissed with costs to the respondents,” Justice Githinji ruled.
