|
.
JOHN
MWANGI NJORA
HE
designed and facilitated many E.T.K.
'environmental awareness' workshops
Coastweek
- - John Mwangi Njora designed
and facilitated many E.T.K. environmental awareness workshops and
events including Art Painting Competitions.
The passing on of John
Mwangi Njora at Nyahururu after a stroke on 31st May 2005 was end of
an era of successful and unchequered career and service to Kenya.
Mr. John Mwangi Njora
was born in 1938 at Gichangariua, Gakuyu, in Muranga to the late Mr.
Edward Njora and Mrs. Esther Wambui.
He spent his early life
at Nakuru and was educated at D.E.B Bondeni and Mchinda Schools up to
the year 1954.
He then proceeded to
Kapsabet High School in 1955 where he pioneered siting for the
Cambridge Certificate of Education Examination in 1958.
John proceeded to Kabete
Technical School (then Kabete Technical and Trade School) in 1959 for
training as a secretary, obtaining among other subjects, the speed of
80/120 in typing and shorthand.
Subsequently, he joined
Civil Service and ironically was posted to Kapsabet District
Commissioner's office, moving later to Nakuru where he became Personal
Assistant to the Provincial Information Officer, then to Embu
Provincial Commissioner's office John joined City Council of Nairobi
as Committee Clerk in 1963 whose Mayor then was Alderman Charles Rubia.
He rose through the
ranks to become Assistant Town Clerk - (Training and Management
Services) and on several occasions acted in the capacity of Town
Clerk, before moving to Nyeri Municipal Council as Town Clerk from
1989 to 1993 when he retired.
During his stay at the
City Council, Mr. Nora attended several courses locally and overseas,
among them University of Birmingham where he obtained a Diploma in
Public Administration.
He was widely travelled
and visited amongst other countries Brazil, Germany, Italy, U.S,
Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe obtaining vast knowledge in Local
Authorities and Environmental Management and enlarging his circle of
friends.
He was a founder
official of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK).
His contribution to this
association is well known.
In November 1982, he
spearheaded the International Union of Local Authority Conference held
in Nairobi.
Again in 1996 he was
selected to travel to Mauritius where he spent a year at the
Secretariat of I.U.L.A - the International Union of Local Authorities
(Africa Chapter) to prepare for the World Conference that was held in
1997 in that country.
He was an avid reader
and writer on Environmental issues and contributed articles to the
Local Newspapers on the subject.
Mr. Njora was a founder
member of Environment Trust of Kenya and served devotedly in its
Executive Committee since 1997 as its consultant on Local Government
Affairs.
Mr. Njora designed and
facilitated many ETK environmental awareness workshops and events
including Art Painting Competition.
In deed Mr. Njora has
set to attend and facilitate the just concluded ETK World
Environmental Day Art Painting Competitions and had sent advance
material and notes for the competition thus the basis of the success
of the competition that it was.
Mr. Njora had immerse
love for the environment and trees and would often have a carload of
tree seedlings whenever traveling to his rural home, to plant and to
distribute amongst his neighbours.
John loved the company
of children and elderly.
He spent delightful
hours with his grandchildren, lost in regaling fantasies and child
play, and thoroughly spoiling them with his love and generosity.
He had the patience and
knack to listen with rapt attention to the ailing, the disadvantaged,
and the elderly, and would ensure he did something and not just merely
commiserate with them.
He was always willing to
help his relatives and friends to the detriment and self - denial of
his own immediate needs.
He was utterly loyal and
had time for everyone, a tower of strength and comfort, ever bubbling
with fresh ideas to enrich your original concept.
His sense of humour,
quick wit and charm were infectious not to say about his eloquence and
mastery in English, Gikuyu and Swahili languages both written and
spoken.
He had the rare gift of
being able to devour and grasp what he has read within minutes, and
come up with a comprehensive outline of what is being discussed.
John lived a simple
abhorred of 'grabbing' or wanting to make a 'quick buck'.
Conservative in dress
and speech and eternally courteous, he loved the company of friends
and would spend hours studying and admiring human nature, drink,
sometimes making copious notes and reminders of what he still has to
do.
Behind his simple 'Andy
Capp' image he concealed an astute brain and fantastic memory.
We celebrate through
this piece the life and times of John Mwangi Njora whom we had good
fortune to meetings and knowing and in whose death we admire and
cherish the memory of a sincere and truly lovable human being.
- Z.
K. Nderu, Chairman Environment Trust Of Kenya, Mombasa.
.
|
