Josiah Mwangi Kariuki popularly known as JM was a popular politician during the reign of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
From the time Kenya attained independence in 1963, JM held different positions in government until the time of his assassination in 1975.
JM Kariuki was born on March 21, 1929, to Kariuki and Mary Kigani in Kabati-ini, Rift Valley. He was the lone boy in a family of five children as he was growing up. He enrolled at Evanson's Day School, but he left after being unable to pay the tuition.
He eventually turned to hard labour at white settlers' businesses, and in 1950, after managing to finish elementary-level education and winning a wager on a horse race in Nakuru, he decided to re-enroll himself in school. He continued his secondary studies at King's College in Wakiso, Uganda.
As part of his campaigns for equality, JM criticised wealthy persons for taking advantage of the poor in their pursuit of fortune.
He had problems with government policies. His activism made him a marked man.
"It is quite unfair for a few men with position, opportunity and authority to use such opportunities to accumulate enormous wealth and get away with money, property, and land," his publication said.
As his popularity continued rising, he also become very rich and many started doubting the source of his immense wealth.
JM had organised a protest against corruption before his death since, in his opinion, it was pervasive throughout the nation. Additionally, he battled fervently for equitable land distribution in favour of the poor and bemoaned the fact that Kenya had turned into a nation of "10 million millionaires and 10 million beggars" following independence.
JM disappeared mysteriously in 1975 shortly after being elected to parliament.
He was last seen with a friend and GSU commandant, and he was never seen alive again. Later, a herdsman discovered his badly decayed body. It was brought to the city mortuary, where it was registered as "unknown individual".
