From Housemaid to Kenya’s First Lady: The Untold Rise of Mama Ngina Kenyatta

• By Clinton Wanjala

• 616

• Last updated Sep 20, 2025

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the richest woman in Kenya with an estimated net worth of more than Ksh. 86 billion has a fascinating story. 

Did you know that she was married to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as the fourth wife? If you dont know im here to shed some light. 

Kenyatta had three wives before marrying Ngina as the fourth wife.

1. Kenyatta's first wife: Grace Wahu
2. Kenyatta's second wife: Edna Clarke
3. Kenyatta's third wife: Grace Wanjiku

In the year 1946, Jomo Kenyatta married Grace Wanjiku who was the daughter of Senior Chief Koinange, not Jeff Koinange of Citizen TV's JKL but rather his father. 

Unfortunately, in the year 1951, Grace Wanjiku died while giving birth to Jane Makena Wambui (Jeni). Now this is where the story gets interesting. 

After the demise of Kenyatta's fourth wife Grace, the child then, Jeni had to be taken care of. Since her mother had just passed, a nanny had to be employed to take care of the infant. 

Guess who the housemaid who took care of Jeni? 

Your guess is right, Ngina Muhoho who is popularly known as Mama Ngina was the nanny. As she was taking care of Kenyatta's infant Jeni, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta gained interest in her. 

Before the end of that year in 1951, Jomo Kenyatta born Kamau Wa Muigai married Mama Ngina. Together, they gave birth to four children; Uhuru Kenyatta, Kristina Pratt, Muhoho Kenyatta, Anna Nyokabi Muthama.

Want to learn more about Kenya’s richest woman and her incredible legacy? Dig deeper into The Richest Woman in Kenya: Unveiling Mama Ngina’s Tale of Success