John Nyagarama was a prominent Kisii politician who served as governor in Nyamira County until his death. Catch all the facts about John Nyagarama biography and more.
The fallen Nyamira governor was a long-serving Kisii leader at the helm of high profile offices. He was a big wig in Gusii politics alongside the renowned Nyachae Family.
John Nyagarama profile summary
Real name: John Obiero Nyagarama
Popularly: Nyagarama
Date of birth: 1946
Died: December 18, 2020
Place of birth: Nyakemincha
John Nyagarama age: 74 years
Constituency: West Mugirango
County: Nyamira County
Nationality: Kenyan (East Africa)
Profession: English Literature teacher
Education: University of Nairobi
Years active: 1975 – 2020
John Nyagarama wife: Naomi lkong Nyagarama
Nyagarama Children: 10 children
Party: Orange Democratic Movement
H.E Governor John Obiero Nyagarama is famous for assuming office as the first governor of Nyamira County alongside his deputy Amos Nyaribo.
Governor John Nyagarama biography
Photo: H.E John Nyagarama . SRC: UGC
John Obiero is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nyagarama. He comes from a humble family that has grown over the years to gain prominence in the political class.
Nyagarama education and qualification
The late Nyamira County boss attended Nyakemincha Primary School, from where he proceeded to join Maseno School for his O-levels.
Walking barefoot to Nyakemincha primary school is a disturbing experience that motivated Nyagarama to work even harder in his studies.
Nyagarama later joined Kisii High School for his A-levels. It is here that Nyagarama met the Kisii Governor James Ongwae, his long-time friend and political colleague.
Good scores from Kisii High School earned both governors a place to study at the University of Nairobi.
Nyagarama was a sharp student judging from his ability to recite lengthy chapters from William Shakespeare’s literature (Romeo and Juliet).
Nyagarama majored in English and Literature for his bachelor’s at UON. He had a liking for both art and dance.
Nyagarama career as a teacher
Nyagarama started his career as a teacher at Nduru Boys high school in 1975, shortly after his graduation from UoN.
A year later, Nyagarama joined the Nyansiongo Boys secondary school teaching staff. He would stay in the institution until 1978.
Nyagarama is among the earliest to teach at Menyenya Secondary school. It is here that he stayed until 1982.
From a teacher to a farmer
After a four-year stay at Menyenya, Nyagarama gave up his teaching profession to become a full-time farmer.
Nyagarama’s passion landed him in the management trainee position at KTDA. He later rose in the ranks to become a manager in various Kenya Tea Development Agency outlets.
In 1991, Nyagarama transferred to the Sotik Tea Factory, where he served in the managing director position until 1992.
From a farmer to a farming official
Photo: John Nyagarama Governor Nyamira County . SRC: UGC
The ambitious Nyagarama took another sharp turn in his career to join the media industry. He first became a CEO at Touchline Press Limited.
In 1993, the late Nyamira governor founded an export company specialising in tea and its products.
The year 1994 was another triumphant one for the famous Nyagarama. Winning as the Marani and Nyamira based tea zones’ director added tokens to his already well-founded career.
Nyagarama continually held various KTDA positions up until 2013. Besides, he chaired the Kenya Tea Packers Limited between 1996 and 2002.
Nyagarama was among the forerunners of 2011 founded Chai Trading Company. He served in the position of a chair until 2013, when he resigned to join mainstream politics.
John Nyagarama as an entrepreneur
Nyagarama was a large-scale farmer with over 20 acres of tea plantation. He is an all-round man who did anything within his reach for a living without minding his status.
In addition, Nyagarama owned several banana plantations and herds of cattle. Tente Farm is the largest of his banana plantations.
Additional details in John Nyaragama biography suggest that the late governor was owner of the famous Dorcas Memorial Boarding School academy.
John Nyagarama bio as a politician
Photo: Nyamira County Governor inauguration . SRC: UGC
Nyagarama first launched political interests in 2002. His bid for the West Mugirango Constituency parliamentary seat went unsuccessful in both 2002 and 2007.
On March 4, 2013, Nyagarama joined the gubernatorial race on the ODM ticket. On March 27, 2013, he assumed office as the county governor.
The 2017 general elections saw Nyagarama defending his seat as the area governor beating Walter Nyambati and James Gesami.
Nyamira county executives members 2017
Photo: Nyamira County executives . SRC: UGC
The Nyamira County Assembly approved the following of Nyagarama’s appointees into the 2017 executive committee.
Douglas Bosire – Health Services
Gladys Momanyi – Education and Vocational Training
John Omanwa – Transport, Roads and Public Works
Peris N. Mong’are – Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries
Samwel Maiko – Environment, Energy, Mining and Natural Resources
Zablon Onchiri – Lands, Housing and Physical Planning
The above list of Nyamira County executives includes professionals in their respective areas of duty.
Nyagarama sickness
The Nyamira county governor fell sick and was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital. Sudden disappearance from critical public functions caused the Nyagarama admitted news to spread faster.
Nyagarama health status sparked many speculations, including death rumours.
Nyamira news update – Nyagarama dead
The sudden passing of the area governor left mouths wagging around the cause of death and the succession question.
John Nyagarama biography has also been under scrutiny regarding his age, family, wife, and political involvement.
Nyamira county news now
December 18, 2020, was a sad Friday for the people of Nyamira County. It is on this fateful day that the dead of Nyagarama befell.
Before meeting his death, Nyagarama was sickly and admitted to The Nairobi Hospital.
He was under life support (ICU) for three days before passing on. He died in the same hospital that his son had died earlier.
Nyagarama cause of death
Photo: H.E Nyagarama dead from COVID-19 . SRC: UGC
Initial reports from the deputy governor, Amos Nyaribo, indicated that the county boss was suffering from flu.
Other reliable sources have since clarified that the governor succumbed to coronavirus related complications.
Further reports confirmed that Nyagarama tested COVID-19 positive within three weeks of his passing, #RIPNyagarama.
News Nyamira county – Nyagarama’s burial
Former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, Dr. Fred Matiangi, and Hon. Nyakerario Mayaka were among the first to extend their condolences to the Nyagarama family and the people of Nyamira.
On the other hand, Kisii Governor James Ongwae described Nyagarama as a close brother with whom he grew and schooled at Kisii High school and UoN.
The council of governors takes charge of all burial programs for a public figure of Nyagarama’s calibre.
John Nyagarama family
The bereaved family owns a home at Nyakemincha in Nyamira County. They also have a posh residence at Karen, Nairobi.
John Nyagarama houses in both Kisii and Karen are palatial, suggesting deep pockets.
John Nyagarama wife
The late Dorcas Sigara was the first wife to Nyagarama. She passed on in 1998 leaving him with ten children.
He later married Naomi lkong Nyagarama in 2003, now a bereaved Nyamira County first lady.
Naomi is founder of the Nyamira Girl Child Foundation in which she is a chairperson. The foundation seeks to promote girl child education and health.
Naomi Nyagarama is rare on the spotlight. As a result, information about her personal life is scarce.
Governor Nyagarama Children
The late George Ndemo Nyagarama (died 2018) is the eldest son of Nyagarama and his first wife, Sigara.
Other siblings include Emily, Gideon, Erick, Mary, Tom, Isaiah, Momanyi, and the late Catherine.
John Nyagarama wealth and influence
Photo: Raila Odinga and John Nyagarama . SRC: UGC
The able governor had multiple income streams ranging from farming to business and politics.
The businessman-politician allegedly has unnamed building assets in both Nyamira and Kisii counties.
Some sources claim that he is a shareholder in leading travelling companies such as Guardian, Transline, Busese, and Ena Coach.
Even so, the exact figures of his salary and whooping net worth are not public yet.
The kisiifinest.co.ke has determined that Nyagarama’s properly executed development agenda and Nyamira county corruption news is a legacy that will forever remain in the hearts of many.
John Nyagarama biography is full of successes throughout his professional and political career. Even so, he is not without controversies around his leadership style.
