John Maina Gichini (Mumba) was passionate about greening Kenya, urging his family and friends to do their part to plant trees and take care of the environment. His focused pursuits of his interests was legendary, as was his work ethic. John started working in 1966 at Patel Farm in Solai, Nakuru County, a job he held until 1971 when he switched careers and joined the civil service.

He first worked in the local government before moving to the Ministry of Forestry where he settled into his calling, serving the ministry until his retirement. He relocated to Kabazi after this and went into business, running a successful retail outlet until his death two years ago at the age of 70.

His family will be commemorating his life and times at an unveiling of the cross ceremony today, June 2, 2018, where they will remember John’s wisdom, sense of humour and strong love for family. They will recall how he inspired them to strive for excellence in their various endeavours, and how he showed them the way by example.

John was born in Sabugo and was the first child of the late Simon Gichini and Priscilla Wambui. He was a brother of the late Wanjiru, Njeri, Wangui, the late Muthoni, and Mugure. He is survived by his wife Loise Njeri, whom he married under customary law in 1974. The two solemnised their union at Subukia PCEA Church the same year and went on to have 12 children: Kihara, the late Gichini, Wambui, Gichuhi, Gitau, Grace, Ngina, Wanjiku, Hosea, Wanjiru, Lydia and Faith.

John was a staunch member of the Kieni PCEA Church, and a big supporter of the development projects it initiated. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church Men’s Forum (PCMF) in 2000, where he later served as chairperson. At the time of his death, he was the treasurer of the Kieni PCEA Child Development Centre.

The unveiling of the cross service will take place from 10am at the family’s home in Munanda Farm, Subukia Constituency, Nakuru County.