Emily Wanjiru Kangethe

Birth: The Late Emily Wanjiru Kangethe was born in 1950 at Kirirwa village (Karuhiu), Kariti sub-location, Kagundu-ini location, Kandara Sub-County, Murang’a County. The late Emily was the second-born daughter of the late Jackson Kangethe and the late Rebecca Njeri Kangethe. She was a stepdaughter to the late Damaris Kanuthu, the late Agnes Muthoni, and the late Esther Wamuhu. She was a sister to Grace Waitherero Kuria, Martin Karanja, Mary Njoki (Kamary), Simon Kibaki, and Joseph Njoroge. Emily was also a stepsister to the late Emily Wanjiru Kago, Edith Njeri Mwangi, the late Karanja Kangethe, the late Peter Gacheru Kangethe, Mary Njoki, the late Elizabeth Wanjiru Bachio, and the late Njoki Mukono.

Education: The late Emily started her formal education at Kirirwa Primary School, where she sat for CPE.

Church: The late Emily was baptized at ACK St. Paul Church, Mairungi, by the late Rt. Rev. Esbon Ngaruiya and was later confirmed by the late Rev. Julius Gatambo at Githunguri. She has been a staunch follower and believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Family Life: The late Emily is preceded in death by her late husband, Joseph Murigi Thiong’o . She was blessed with four sons (all of whom are in Kenya): Peter Mwangi, Jackson Kangethe, Samuel Njuguna, and Anthony Karanja (Wanguku). Her daughters-in-law are Nancy Mwangi, Purity Kangethe, and Pauline Njuguna. She had many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Working Life: The late Emily worked in multiple places, including Ikumbi Tea Factory in Kigumo and the Ministry of Finance & Planning. She later relocated to the USA in 1995. She worked as a souvenir vendor for Auntie Njoki in Washington, DC. Afterwards, she transitioned to babysitting for a Kenyan couple for their young children. She later on worked for the Washington Nationals and the World Bank in the Kitchen department. Her last job was as a nurse’s aide for an aging client in Virginia. Philanthropy: The late Emily provided financial support to several families in Ongata Rongai and to various family members.

Sickness: In the early 2000s, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which she courageously battled and survived. In October 2025, Emily Kangethe became ill, was hospitalized, underwent surgery, and went home, where she was comfortably recuperating. On December 25, 2025, she complained of dizziness and weakness and asked for an ambulance to be rushed to the hospital. The paramedics attended to her and rushed her to the hospital, but unfortunately, the doctors were unable to resuscitate her, and she passed away later that day.

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