CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MZEE JACKSON MAKAU MUMO

EARLY LIFE Jackson Makau Mumo was born on 31st March 1932 in Kateve Village, Kasinga Sub-Location, Mumbuni Location in what is today Machakos Central during the era of the British Protectorate of East Africa. He was the first-born son to the Late Mumo Mbungo aka Kakua and Late Mwikali aka Syomwati. He was a brother to the late Ndulu Muia, the late Samuel Muli, the late Mbula Ndolo, the late Ruth Mumo, the late George Mbithi, the late Jane Mulungye and Joyce Wavinya. He was a cousin to many among others: Peter Kimani, William Musyoka, late Maeka, late Musyimi, late Kalee, late Wanzuu, late Ndumi, Syokau. EDUCATION AND CAREER He began his early education at Kasinga Primary School then proceeded to Mumbuni Intermediate School. He worked for East African Railways, Ports & Harbours. He began his service in Tanga, Tanzania with the late Peter Nzuki. He later worked briefly at the Exchange in Timau, where he served clients from the Mount Kenya region and beyond, con necting them by telephone with people in Nairobi and other parts of the country. In 1966, he left Nairobi for Makerere University in Uganda where he pursued Sociology and Economics. A natural leader even in his university years, he was elected Chairman of the Kenyan Students at Makerere. Upon returning to Kenya, he briefly joined Esso, a major pe troleum company in pre-independence Kenya, where he worked alongside the late Kimatu. He subsequently joined the British Oxygen Company (BOC Gases) later known as East African Oxygen (EAO) along Kitui Road in Nairobi’s Indus trial Area. At EAO, he worked alongside colleagues such as Nyadida Yimbo and built a long and distinguished career, retiring from the company in 1992. FAMILY LIFE Mzee Mumo married the love of his life, the Late Anna Muthee Kavuti in 1957. (Anna predeceased him in January 2022). The union was blessed with 9 children – the Late Dorothy Loko, the Late Kyalo, Mary Nduku Ngui, Lilian Ndinda Wanjohi, Nzioki wa Makau, Paula Thuo, Michael Mumo, Mutunga Makau and Kavuti Makau. Mzee Mumo had 22 grandchildren – Brian, Annette, Noni, Aisha, Wangu, the late Muange, Chiru, Nigel, Mary, Naythan, Kimberley, Bradley, Malcolm, Billy, Ida, Njeri, Mischa, Trevor, Maya, Brianna, Ella, Hunja. He was a father-in-law to Richard Ngui Muange, Joshua Wanjohi Chege, Dorine Hunja, the late Elias Rwigi Thuo, Freida Wamaitha, Jessica Kalekye and Catherine Mutinda. He was blessed with four great grandchildren – Taji and Jahi Sangrar, Zain Makau and Maya Munyiva Rwigi. Mum - Honey, Dorothy (Sana sana) Mary Ngui (Timaamu) Lilian Wanjohi (Ndindi) Paula Thuo (Kanyis) Nzioki wa Makau (Ahmed Ben Bella) Michael Mumo (Nau) Ray Makau (Idi Amin) Kavuti Makau (Sèè) Brian Makau (Kakau) Annette Sangrar (Katanu) Lilian’s daughters (Wanjohilets) Maya (Maya Maya). CHRISTIAN LIFE Mzee Mumo was a church elder at African Inland Church where he served in different capacities at Local and District Level. He remained actively involved in church for many years and retired in 2023. Mzee Mumo loved farming and after his retirement, he worked together with his beloved wife Anna tending to their coffee farms in Iveti and their ranch in Lukenya, where they reared cattle and goats. The entire family would come together to work on the farms during the school holidays, weeding and even harvesting coffee. Fond memories also abound of family holidays in Mombasa, where they would take their children for two-week coastal holidays often in the company of their dear friends, the late Stephen and Milkah Musa, Wilson and Anne Muema and Charles Mallei, the late Mrs. Mallei and their children.