Denis Mwangi

Njeri Rionge, one of Kenya's most successful and revered serial entrepreneurs, has passed away.

Rionge was known for co-founding multi-million dollar companies in quick succession, including East Africa's first mass-market internet service provider, Wananchi Group, which owns Zuku.

Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru who once worked alongside Rionge at Wananchi Online, was the first to announce her death on X.&nbsp;

“Goodbye Njeri. We will miss you greatly,” he said.&nbsp;

Not much has been revealed around her death but lets take a look at her journey from being featured among Africa’s most successful women to&nbsp;her death.

Njeri Rionge was born as the first child in a family of five.

Her mother was a farmer who introduced her to the concept of buying and selling at an early age.

She started her first business at the age of 8 by selling yoghurt to her classmates.

She attended the International School of Kenya and Loretto Convent Musongari High School then later moved to Canada to study.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the United States International University

<h3>Career and entrepreneurship journey</h3>

According to various sources, Njeri Rionge's inspiration to become an entrepreneur came from her desire to create something new and to solve problems.&nbsp;

She saw opportunities where others saw challenges and was motivated to take risks and pursue her dreams. In an interview with Businessday NG, Njeri Rionge said that she was inspired by the idea of creating something new and innovative.&nbsp;

She also mentioned that she was motivated by the desire to solve problems and to make a difference in people's lives.

In addition, Njeri stated that she was driven by a strong work ethic and a willingness to take risks.&nbsp;

<h3>Companies founded&nbsp;by Njeri Rionge</h3>

Njeri Rionge has co-founded several successful companies, including:

<ul><li>Wananchi Online: a leading multi-million dollar internet service provider in East Africa.</li><li>Ignite Consulting: a business consultancy firm.</li><li>Insite Limited: a marketing and public relations firm.</li><li>Business Lounge: a co-working space for entrepreneurs.</li><li>Njeri Rionge Business Consulting Inc.: a business advisory and financial services firm</li></ul>

Njeri Rionge played a key role in Wananchi Group's success.<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/bi/tech/internet-kenyans-enjoy-faster-internet-than-americans/49kgml2">&nbsp;Her focus on providing affordable and reliable internet services</a> to the mass market helped her to grow Wananchi Group into one of East Africa's leading providers of internet and satellite TV services.

She also held key board positions, demonstrating her multifaceted involvement in influential organizations such as Unilever Tea (Brooke Bond Kenya), the Institute of Directors (Kenya), the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), Ambulance Air Rescue (AAR) Holdings, and Wananchi Group.

Njeri Rionge has received numerous awards and recognition for her work. She was named one of Africa's most successful women by Forbes in 2011.&nbsp;

In 2012, she was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) by President Mwai Kibaki for her contribution to entrepreneurship and women's empowerment.&nbsp;

From around 2021, Njeri took to social media to share intriguing details about her newfound spiritual journey.&nbsp;

However, what started as a personal revelation quickly stirred the curiosity of many, leading to widespread speculation and, in some circles, concerns about the nature of her chosen path.&nbsp;

Rionge's posts, filled with cryptic messages and symbols, sparked a flurry of discussions online, with some individuals expressing unease and even labeling the movement as a potential cult.

A screenshot from Njeri Rionge's Facebook page

Njeri Rionge biography from founding Wananchi Group, Forbes recognition, joining suspicious religion & death

Njeri Rionge, once among Africa's most successful women, dies [Biography]

Amos Robi

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohamed has been appointed the new Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA).

Amina was installed at an event held in Kampala on Wednesday, February 15. Speaking after her installation, the former CS said she was going to serve not just the university but the entire continent at large.

“For the continent to help deal with its problems, it is universities to help teach young men and women who can solve real-world problems. Our education practices cannot remain in the 1960s while the world has moved on and now we are in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution.

"This is what I want to do here to make sure IUEA is the University of Choice on our continent,” Amb. Amina said.

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/former-ict-cs-joe-mucheru-appointed-president-of-uk-based-fintech-jumo/l506ztx">Former ICT CS Joe Mucheru lands international job</a>

CS Amina Mohamed during her installation as Chancellor of the International University of East Africa in Kampala, Uganda

The event was also attended by the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda Maj Gen (Rtd) George Owino who said the institution was going to grow in the hands of Ambassador Amina.

“Africa needs the knowledge to be able to deal with unique challenges and I am sure all of this is possible. I have no doubt in my mind that Ambassador Mohammed will help this institution to build a strong education system that improves the present and develops the future,” Owino said.

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/najib-balala-appointed-vice-president-at-fauna-and-flora-international/rkttr18">Najib Balala appointed Vice President at world’s oldest wildlife conservation org</a>

<h3>Former Cabinet Secretaries who have landed new jobs </h3>

Ambassador Amina now joins the list of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet secretaries that have landed roles after exiting the government.

Former ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru was appointed to head JUMO, a multinational intelligent banking organisation.

Former&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/najib-balala-appointed-vice-president-at-fauna-and-flora-international/rkttr18">Tourism CS Najib Balala</a>&nbsp;was appointed Vice President of Fauna &amp; Flora International (FFI), the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organisation.

Former Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, Najib Balala

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/karanja-kibicho-reveals-moment-when-george-magoha-almost-resigned-from-office/7brc129">Kibicho reveals moment when Magoha almost resigned from office</a>

Former Education CS George Magoha passed on just weeks after being appointed as a Professor of Surgery.

Other CSs such as Peter Munya, Mutahi Kagwe, Ukur Yattani, James Macharia, Margret Kobia, Farida Karoney and Betty Maina <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/what-next-for-peter-munya-fred-matiangi-najib-balala-after-cabinet-jobs/4t636ll">have chosen to keep their lives private </a>after leaving office.

Eugene Wamalwa who served in the Defence Ministry has however gone back to active politics and has been spotted in a number of Azimio la Umoja rallies.

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohamed appointed the new Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Kampala, Uganda

Former CS Amina Mohamed during her installation as Chancellor of the International University of East Africa in Kampala, Uganda

Former CS Amina Mohammed lands new role in Uganda

Former&nbsp;ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has landed a new job with JUMO, a multinational intelligent banking organisation.

JUMO is a mobile phone-based financial services platform that facilitates digital services in credit and savings.

Mucheru will now head the firm which is based in the United Kingdom and help boost its reach across the continent.

"Joseph Mucheru, is the current President of JUMO, a technology company building next-generation financial services for emerging market entrepreneurs.

"In this role, Joe supports the company to deliver its growth goals, navigate the regulatory landscape, and build the firm’s presence across the African continent," his LinkedIn profile reads.

READ: <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/how-junet-mohammed-joe-mucheru-makau-mutua-cost-raila-presidency/nk3dsfb">How Junet, Mucheru, Makau Mutua cost Raila presidency - Kanchory</a>

JUMO was founded in 2015 and has seen its expansion reach over 10 million customers with its users mostly in Africa and Asia.

This is not the first tech company Mucheru is heading, before his appointment as CS, he headed Google Sub- Saharan Africa, and also headed Wananchi online, the parent company of Zuku which he co-founded in 1999.

Mucheru joins former <a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/najib-balala-appointed-vice-president-at-fauna-and-flora-international/rkttr18">Tourism CS Najib Balala</a> who has also joined the private sector after exiting the cabinet. Balala was appointed Vice President of Fauna &amp; Flora International (FFI), the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organisation.

Former ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has landed a new job with JUMO, a multinational intelligent banking organisation.

Former ICT CS Joe Mucheru lands international job

Joe Mucheru

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