Terry Wanjiru, the wife of the late activist and politician Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, popularly known as JM, has passed away.
Wanjiru died on Thursday, October 30, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.
According to the family, a memorial service will be held at her family residence in Kilimani, Nairobi, on Friday, November 7, from 3:00 PM.
The late Wanjiru will be laid to rest on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at JM Kariuki’s family farm in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has mourned Waniiru as an embodiment of charity, compassion, and endurance.
“Her deep interest in our very own J.M. Kariuki Memorial Hospital in Ol’Kalou, a facility named in honor of her late husband, and her willingness to lend support towards its upgrading, will forever remain a lasting legacy of her work, and that of her family, in Nyandarua.
“On my own behalf, and that of the great people of Nyandarua, I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Terry Kariuki. May her soul rest in peace,” said Governor Badilisha.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa has also extended his condolences to the late Kariuki’s family for the loss.
“My deepest condolences to the JM Kariuki family, who have lost their matriarch, Terry Wanjiru, wife of the late fiery leader JM Kariuki, who said Kenya had become at his time a Country of 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars. Had he lived in our time, l believe he would have said Kenya has now become a country of 10 trillionaires and over 20 million beggars who are our fellow Kenyans living below the poverty line,” said Wamalwa.
The late JM Kariuki was a prominent politician and served as the Member of Parliament for Nyandarua North.
Kariuki also served as an assistant minister in the Jomo Kenyatta government between 1974 and 1975.
The late politician was assassinated on March 2, 1975, with his remains being found in Ngong Forest.
JM Kariuki’s death sparked outrage, with the then University of Nairobi students staging a demonstration in Nairobi.
This comes days after the widow of the late Homa Bay Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang, Mama Rose Kajwang, passed away.
In a statement, the ODM Party expressed its condolences highlighting the depth of grief within both the family and the wider political community.
“We mourn the passing of Mama Rose Kajwang’, widow of the late Sen. Gerald Otieno Kajwang’, earlier today after an illness. As the Orange family, we commiserate with the entire Kajwang family and the people of Suba North for the loss. May Rose’s soul rest in peace,” the statement read.
