Njeri Rionge, a renowned entrepreneur passed away at the age of 54 leaving behind a rich and successful legacy that will live forever.
The news of her demise was shared on Tuesday, October 3 by the former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru. He however did not reveal the cause of her death.
“Goodbye Njeri. We will miss you greatly,” Mucheru wrote.
Her Legacy
Njeri is known for pioneering work as a co-founder of Wananchi Online, an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The capitalist, who co-founded Wananchi Group in 1999 alongside Mucheru, played a pivotal role in transforming it into Wananchi Group, the parent company of Zuku, East Africa’s leading pay-TV, broadband Internet, and VoIP services provider.
Among Rionge’s many successful ventures, Ignite Consulting, a firm specializing in coaching, strategy facilitation, and organizational effectiveness, stands out prominently.
Throughout her illustrious career, Rionge held board positions at several notable organizations, including 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.
She also served as an advisory committee member for Sport at the Service of Humanity at the Vatican.
Awards and Recognitions
Njeri received numerous awards and recognition for her work. She was named one of Africa’s most successful women by Forbes in 2011.
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.
Her Early Life
Njeri 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.
She will remembered as an icon whose entrepreneurial legacy will live forever.
