When Kijana Wamalwa became Vice President in 2003, many Kenyans saw a man who had made it. He had studied in Britain, spoke polished Queen’s English, and occupied the second-highest office in the country.
But behind the smart suits and powerful title was a different story.
Unlike many politicians who built huge fortunes during their years in power, Wamalwa was reportedly still living in rented houses and had not amassed great wealth, leaving behind a surprisingly modest estate and a reputation as perhaps Kenya’s poorest Vice President.
Kijana Wamalwa, A Brilliant Mind Shaped in London
Born on November 25, 1944, in Sosio village near Kimilili in Bungoma County, Wamalwa’s brilliance became evident early.
At Strathmore School, he excelled academically, emerged as the best debater, and served as head boy or captain.
His eloquence earned him a national essay-writing award and an opportunity to represent Kenya at a United Nations students’ forum.
His academic journey took him to Britain on a Commonwealth scholarship.
He studied law at King’s College before proceeding to the London School of Economics and later qualified as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn in 1970.
The years spent in Britain shaped the polished public figure Kenyans came to know.
His command of the Queen’s English, quick wit, and ability to quote Shakespeare at will made him one of the country’s most captivating public speakers.
The nickname “Kijana” was born during his first parliamentary campaign in 1974. He was only 30.
Opponents dismissed him as too young to lead, but the label stuck and eventually became an integral part of his political identity.
Five years later, with the support of veteran politician Masinde Muliro, he won the Kitale West parliamentary seat, beginning a political career that would span more than two decades.
The VP Who Never Became Rich
Wamalwa rose to national prominence during the struggle for multiparty democracy.
As chairman of FORD Kenya following the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1994, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the opposition.
His popularity cut across ethnic and regional boundaries, with many viewing him as one of the few politicians capable of building a genuinely national political movement.
His political fortunes peaked during the 2002 General Election, when he teamed up with Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and Charity Ngilu under the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) banner.
The alliance ended Kanu’s 40-year grip on power and propelled Kibaki to the presidency. As promised in the coalition arrangement, Wamalwa was appointed Vice President on January 3, 2003.
Yet behind the prestige of the office lay a reality that surprised many Kenyans.
Unlike many powerful politicians who amassed vast fortunes during their careers, Wamalwa reportedly lived in rented accommodation when he became Vice President.
Despite decades in Parliament, Cabinet and party leadership, he had not accumulated the wealth typically associated with Kenya’s political elite.
By the time Wamalwa died, he had paid Ksh19.5 million towards the purchase of a Karen home but had not cleared the full amount.
The government later settled the outstanding balance of Ksh31.9 million.
The house subsequently became the center of a prolonged inheritance battle, with family members disagreeing on whether it formed part of his estate.
Kijana Wamalwa’s estate comprised 40 acres of land in Trans Nzoia valued at about Ksh4 million, five acres in Milimani, Kitale valued at about Ksh500,000, maize growing on 300 acres in Kitale, 20 head of cattle, a Mercedes-Benz 300S, a Range Rover, a Standard Chartered Bank account, and parliamentary pension and gratuity benefits.
For a politician who had spent decades in Parliament, Cabinet, and opposition politics before becoming Vice President, many considered the estate modest.
More than 15 years after the death of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa, an inheritance dispute within his family drew national attention after reports emerged that one of his daughters risked dropping out of school because of unpaid fees.
The dispute, which pitted Wamalwa’s children and widow against each other, delayed the processing and distribution of parts of the late Vice President’s estate and pension benefits.
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