Terry Wanjiru, the wife of the late politician Josiah Mwangi Kariuki who was popularly known as JM, has passed away.
According to reports, Wanjiru died on Thursday, October 30, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.
A memorial service is expected to be held at her family residence in Kilimani, Nairobi, on Friday, November 7, from 3:00 PM.
Terry Wanjiru, Widow of the Late Politician JM Kariuki, Has Died. Photo: Courtesy.
The deceased will then be laid to rest on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at JM Kariuki’s family farm in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
The late JM Kariuki was a renowned politician and vocal advocate for social justice who represented Nyandarua North Constituency in Parliament.
Known for his strong stance against inequality and corruption, Kariuki gained popularity for championing the rights of ordinary Kenyans and calling for equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth.
During his political career, he served as an Assistant Minister in President Jomo Kenyatta’s government between 1974 and 1975.
His growing influence and outspoken criticism of government excesses earned him admiration from the public but also friction with some members of the ruling elite.
On March 2, 1975, Kariuki was brutally assassinated, and his remains were later discovered in Ngong Forest, a discovery that shocked the nation.
His murder sparked widespread outrage and unrest, with University of Nairobi students leading massive demonstrations in Nairobi to demand justice.
JM Kariuki’s death remains one of Kenya’s most memorable and controversial political assassinations, symbolizing the struggle for accountability and reform during the country’s early post-independence years.
