Veteran Meru councilor John Kirimi M’Murungi, popularly known as JK, was laid to rest at Kithirune Primary School in Meru on Friday, August 29, 2025, following his death on August 20 at the age of 88. The burial ceremony drew leaders, clergy, and residents who gathered to honor a man remembered as a towering figure in Meru politics and community life.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi led the tributes, describing M’Murungi as “an institution within the greater Meru area” and “a giant in Meru leadership.” His condolence message, delivered by Special Advisor Kibisu Kabatesi, highlighted JK’s remarkable three-decade career as a nominated councilor in both the Meru Municipal and County Councils between 1983 and 2013.
“The greatest political tribute to JK is that for the 30 years he served as a councilor, he was always nominated. This speaks to his affable character that earned him the trust of Government regimes across three decades,” Mudavadi said.
The Prime CS also recalled his personal interactions with JK during his tenure as Minister for Local Government from 2008 to 2013, noting that he often sought his counsel on matters affecting Meru County Council.
Beyond politics, JK’s legacy extended into business, education, and public service. He served as a Director at the National Irrigation Board, was a member of the National Executive Council of Njuri Ncheke, and was a founding executive member of the Meru Branch of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Other leaders echoed Mudavadi’s sentiments. Methodist Archbishop Emeritus Lawi Imathiu praised JK for a life of “service without self-interest,” while former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza described him as “a leader whose humility and wisdom united people.”
M’Murungi’s enduring influence was rooted in his humility, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to service, qualities that earned him respect across generations. As Mudavadi noted, his legacy offers “snapshots of exemplary dedication that younger generations ought to desire.”
He is survived by family, relatives, and friends who, alongside the wider Meru community, mourn his passing while celebrating a life of impact and service.
