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In an interview with Maisha Magic East’s Story Yangu, lawyer and Centum investments CEO James Mworia opened up on his early life and how he depicted leadership qualities at a young age.
The first born in a family of three children, Mworia grew up in rural in Central Kenya, attending Nanyuki Primary school, where he met his wife Joan Mworia while in Class One.
According to Mworia, growing up, his mother, a firm believer in hard work was very strict.
“She was very strict. Before going to bed, we had to tell her our plans for the next day. If she found you sleeping later that 6:30am she would cane you. That taught us about waking up and working early in the morning,” he said.
Mworia further revealed that his mother, a primary school teacher-turned businesswoman was his first boss as he assisted her in running her businesses which included a hotel and farm.
“My mother was my first CEO. She taught me a lot and we’re still working together till now,” a smiling Mworia revealed.
Working in class six
While in Class Six, he got his first job working as a filing clerk for his lawyer dad.
“One day, my dad said he would not leave me at home but I would accompany him to work and I started working as his filing clerk. I would pick his letters from Posta and go to court for hearing dates. I think I signed my first agreement while in class 7,” he said.
According to Mworia’s sister, the entire family would even go on holiday and leave him behind to run business.
“We would go for holidays and leave him at home running my dad’s law firm yet he was so young and disciplined. He never complained.”
High School
After sitting for his KCPE examinations, Mworia emerged the best student in the district prompting his call-up to Alliance High School. However, the school was not what he expected.
“On my first day at Alliance I thought I was lost. I expected I’d get good dormitories only to find that they were quite small.
“Unlike in primary school, I had to work extra hard to top in class.”
Loathing mathematics
While high school, Mworia soon discovered his dislike for Maths.
“Sikuwa napenda hesabu. Ata sikuwa napenda accounting. I used to come last in Maths and Sciences.
“I viewed maths as a very hard subject till one day, a friend showed me how to answer a question. I understood logic and thereafter came to love maths.”
The certified public accountant went on to attend Strathmore University and the University of Nairobi and the rest is history.
Highest paid CEO?
In 2017, Business Daily named Mworia as Kenya’s highest earning CEO after reportedly making Sh375 million in the year ended March 2017.
However, he disputed the reports calling the article sensational.
“Be professional and accurate in your reporting. The figure in your sensational headline is the remuneration for the entire management team,” he wrote on twitter.
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