Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (1929–1975), popularly known as “JM,” was a Kenyan socialist politician and a fierce critic of the post-independence government. A former Mau Mau detainee and private secretary to President Jomo Kenyatta, he eventually became the leader of the parliamentary opposition. As of January 11, 2026, his legacy is experiencing a significant “revival of justice,” following the massive 50th-anniversary commemorations of his death held in early 2025.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Josiah Mwangi Kariuki |
| Born | March 21, 1929, Kabati-ini, Kenya |
| Died | March 2, 1975 (Aged 45), Ngong Forest, Nairobi |
| Famous Quote | “Kenya has become a nation of 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars.” |
| Legacy | Author of Mau Mau Detainee; Champion of land redistribution. |
| Status in 2026 | Symbolic pillar of the “Gen Z” social justice movement. |
2025–2026: The 50th Anniversary Milestone
The last twelve months have been a period of intense national reflection on JM’s “unfinished journey” toward an equitable Kenya.
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The 50th Memorial (March 2, 2025): The 50th anniversary of his assassination was marked by a massive state-sanctioned memorial at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi. In a historic shift, government representatives joined family members—including his daughter Rosemary Kariuki—to acknowledge the “dark stain” his murder left on the Republic.
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The “Mama Terry” Transition (Nov 2025): On November 5, 2025, the nation mourned the passing of JM’s widow, Mama Terry Wanjiru Kariuki. Her death was marked by a rare display of cross-party unity; ODM leader Raila Odinga and other political figures praised her for “keeping the flame of JM’s memory alive” for five decades.
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Mediation of the Estate (2025–2026): In a bid to finally settle the 40-year-old succession dispute over JM’s vast property empire, a court-ordered mediation process involving his surviving widows and eight children reached a “framework of agreement” in late 2025. As of January 2026, the family is reportedly working on a joint foundation to manage his remaining assets for social causes.
The Radical “Assistant Minister”
JM’s political career was a paradox: he was an insider who behaved like an outsider.
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The Mau Mau Liaison: During the 1950s, he served as a liaison officer for the Mau Mau, which led to his seven-year detention. His 1963 book, Mau Mau Detainee, was the first major account of the struggle from an African perspective and remains a staple of Kenyan political literature in 2026.
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The “Ten Million Beggars” Speech: Despite serving as an Assistant Minister, JM used his platform to attack the Kenyatta administration’s “land-grabbing” culture. He famously warned that the widening gap between the rich and the poor was a “time bomb,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with the anti-tax protesters in 2024 and 2025.
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The Assassination: On March 2, 1975, after a bomb blast on a bus he was supposed to board, JM was last seen leaving the Hilton Hotel with senior police officers. His mutilated body was found days later by a Maasai herdsman in the Ngong Forest.
2026 Perspective: The “JM Spirit”
In early 2026, JM Kariuki is no longer just a figure of the past; he has been “re-adopted” by a new generation:
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Digital Activism: On January 9, 2026, trending hashtags in Kenya celebrated JM as the “First Gen Z Politician,” with influencers sharing his old speeches on TikTok to critique modern economic policies.
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The “People’s Watchdog”: His legacy as a wealthy man who “spent his money on the poor” (donating to schools, hospitals, and churches) is frequently used to challenge modern politicians who are seen as disconnected from the grassroots.