The Woman Who Rejected Jomo Kenyatta Despite His Attempts to Win Her Love

Esther Wanjeri was the woman who repeatedly turned down Kenya’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, despite his efforts to win her affection, according to a report by The Standard.

Their paths crossed in the 1940s when Jomo returned from England and was appointed principal of Kenya Teachers Training College (KTTC) in Kiambu County. Wanjeri was studying embroidery at the institution.

Her father was a close friend of Jomo, who frequently visited their home for supper. During these visits, he developed a liking for Wanjeri’s cooking, particularly her roasted bananas.

Jomo would sometimes escort her home after meals and tell her that she was the ideal woman for him. However, Wanjeri repeatedly rejected his advances because she considered him too old and was uncomfortable with his unkempt beard.

On one occasion, another rejection reportedly left Jomo so upset that he returned to his house crying.

He even enlisted his daughter, Wambui Kenyatta, who was friends with Wanjeri, to persuade her to accept his advances, but the attempt failed.

Wanjeri eventually married her longtime boyfriend, Kamau, a farmer. Jomo later married Mama Ngina, whom he once took to Wanjeri and asked her to teach how to serve food.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/37890-how-esther-wanjeri-made-mzee-jomo-kenyatta-cry

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