Right from his youth, Mwalimu Elder Allan Ngobu Gikandi showed all the signs of being a true brother’s keeper. His younger siblings recall that when he got his first job, he took it upon himself to supply them with clothes and other provisions. He carried this spirit of kindness and selflessness into his older years, pursuing multiple philanthropic projects for the good of his community.

He will be remembered for pioneering community projects in his capacity as an elder of PCEA Gatondo Church, chairman of Gitemani Tea Buying Centre and Chehe Primary School, and as patron of Mbari ya Ngobu, among others. People would often consult him on matters concerning the family tree on which he demonstrated great historical aptitude.

Ngobu was born in Mathira, Nyeri County, on February 8, 1933 to the late Barnabas Gikandi Ngobu and the late Beatrice Njuku Gikandi. He started school in 1941 at Gatondo Primary School. He later proceeded to Kiamwangi Intermediate School and Tumutumu Junior School, before advancing to Kabete Technical Training College from 1951 to 1954, where he learned wood workmanship, a skill he passed on to several of his family members. He then joined Kagumo Teachers College where he graduated in 1956 as a technical instructor.

His teaching career began in 1958 and ended with his retirement in 1988. He taught in numerous schools, including Gikororo, Gathaithi, Magutu, Kahuru, Gatondo and Gatina.

Ngobu married Isabella Njambi on April 17, 1965 at PCEA Gatondo Church. They celebrated this memorable event 50 years later on April 17, 2015 at their home in Kariki. Ngobu and Njambi got six children: the late George Gikandi, Timothy Waruingi, Clement Munyiri, Rose Wanjiku Kang’ethe, David Wang’ombe and Grace Wangechi Ngugi.

Elder Ngobu was baptised as a child in the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM) and was later confirmed in the faith. He rose to become a church leader with roles that included being a kirk session clerk in Kiamwangi Parish. He served for years as an elder at PCEA Gatondo Church and as session clerk at Gathaithi Parish. He retired as member of the Presbyterian Church Men's Fellowship (PCMF), but continued offering guidance and counselling to the congregation.

Mwalimu Elder Ngobu was a prayerful man and theology scholar who read the Bible before 6am daily. He had been on medication for high blood pressure for some time, but was otherwise healthy for most of his 85 years. He died on July 23, 2018 at 5:15am at Karatina Nursing Home and was buried on July 30 at his Kariki home, Nyeri County.