NAIROBI — Gladys Wairimu Kariuki, the widow of former Internal Security Minister GG Kariuki, has died in Nairobi at the age of 80. She had been receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital following a short illness, the family said.
“She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones,” said family spokesman Jimmy Waigwa in a brief statement on Tuesday. “We mourn a mother, a matriarch and a leader who gave everything to her community.”
Born in 1945, Mrs Kariuki was more than just the wife of a powerful politician. In her own right, she carved out a legacy of public service in Laikipia County, particularly in Rumuruti where she lived and farmed for decades.
Her influence extended beyond agriculture. As Chairlady of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) in Laikipia, she led campaigns aimed at uplifting women through education, economic support, and civic engagement. Her work, colleagues say, left an enduring mark.
“She was a woman of conviction,” said Jane Wanjiku, a former colleague at MYWO. “Whether it was helping a widow start a business or lobbying for girls’ education, she never stood on the sidelines.”
Before her activism, she served as a teacher at Ngarenaro Primary School in Nyahururu and later as a councillor in the then Nyahururu Municipal Council. She was known to many as “Mama Kariuki,” a nod to both her political ties and her motherly stature in the community.
Her deep faith guided much of her work. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), she remained active in church congregations in Rumuruti, Nyahururu and Nairobi. Her generosity, friends say, was most often seen in quiet acts donating food, school fees or simply her time.
Mrs Kariuki is survived by her five children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family is expected to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.
“She served quietly but with deep impact,” said one longtime friend. “She gave people hope, and she always showed up.”
Her death comes nearly seven years after the passing of her husband, GG Kariuki, a long-serving politician who held several high-profile government positions over four decades.
In life and in death, Gladys Wairimu Kariuki will be remembered for her grace, grit and grounded leadership.
