John Nyagarama was a prominent Kisii politician who served as the first governor in Nyamira County until his death. This article covers exclusive profile facts in John Nyagarama biography, his family, political career, and net worth.
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 facts
Real name
John Obiero Nyagarama
Birthday
1946
Died
2020
Age
74 years
Tribe
Kisii
Birthplace
Nyakemincha
Constituency
West Mugirango
County
Nyamira
Nationality
Kenyan
Active years
1975 – 2020
Wife
Naomi lkong Nyagarama
Children
10
Party
ODM
H.E Governor John Obiero Nyagarama is famous for assuming office as the first governor of Nyamira County alongside his deputy now governor Amos Nyaribo.
John Nyagarama biography
John Obiero Nyagarama is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nyagarama with ancestry in Nyakemincha, Nyamira County.
He comes from a humble family that has grown over the years to gain prominence in the political class.
Educational background
The late Nyagarama attended Nyakemincha Primary School, from where he proceeded to 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 former 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 High 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
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 specializing 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.
Nyagarama’s political milestones
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.
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 and death
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.
December 18, 2020 is the fateful day that Nyagarama died in the same hospital that his son Ndemo had died a couple of years earlier.
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, former 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 facilitated his burial and succession arrangements.
John Nyagarama family, wife, and children
The bereaved family of Nyagarama owns several homes at Nyakemincha in Nyamira and Karen Estate in Nairobi City County.
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.
Nyagarama’s first born son George Ndemo Nyagarama died in 2018.
Other siblings include Emily, Gideon, Erick, Mary, Tom, Isaiah, Momanyi, and the late Catherine.
John Nyagarama family wealth
Nyagarama’s family net worth is estimated at Ksh 1.2 billion with multiple income streams ranging from farming to business and politics.
The businessman cum politician allegedly has unnamed building assets in Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi counties.
John Nyagarama biography is full of successes throughout his professional and political career. Even so, he is not without controversies around his leadership style.
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