RIP
I think when people discuss Njenga Karume's wealth, which was immense by any standards I am sure one of his greatest treasures which in my opinion probably contributed a great deal to his material wealth is bound to be overlooked. I once met Njenga Karume at a funeral. Of course I had heard about him and his great wealth but the mzee pointed out to me as Njenga had no aura of a billionaire at all.
He was busy interacting with village wananichis in a completely non intimidating way. I never went out to talk to him but I was within earshot of him for a few minutes and I got the feeling that if I was to turn around to him as many people were doing he would just roll along with the conversation. The other day when I saw a clip of him receiving guests at his home when they went to console him I remembered that day at the funeral. The way he was interacting with SK Macharia telling him "Mundu egwitwo Moi arari o guku" (This man called Moi was here) and asking that his wife be given a seat, was exactly the same way he interacted with ordinary villagers.
http://www.youtube.com/w...kJTGfsLnBT1oHW-Shy9mHHv
He was a cheerful, very down to earth and approachable guy. No wonder he had so many powerful friends. People felt comfortable around him.
One might argue that maybe this is the comfort level you achieve when you get money but I think it could be the reverse. It is this personality that brought the money. Of all the people selling charcoal in Kiambu in those days he was the one charcoal dealer you felt comfortable dealing with. Combine this with a good business acumen that made him reliable and keep his word and the good fortune of being at the right place at the right time and the rest is history.
May he Rest in Peace. He lived a good life.
Here is another beautiful story of rising from humble beginnings to doing great things in business.
http://www.newyorker.com...gladwell?currentPage=all