Njeri Rionge

Njeri Rionge
OGW
Rionge in 2007
Born12 January 1966
Nairobi, Kenya
Died2 October 2023 (aged 57)
Alma materUnited States International University Africa
Occupationtechnology entrepreneur
Known forco-founding Wananchi Online Limited (WOL)

Christine Njeri Rionge OGW (12 January 1966 – 2 October 2023) was a Kenyan technology entrepreneur who was a co-founder of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL), one of Kenya’s first internet providers.

Biography

Rionge was born on 12 January 1966 in Nairobi, Kenya.[1] Her brother was the Communication Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.[2]

Rionge's first business was "selling yoghurt from a friend's car trunk to the International School of Kenya and Loretto Convent Musongari High School over their school breaks. I saw a business opportunity and acted on it, determined to turn it into a reality."[3] She also worked as a hairdresser.[4]

Rionge studied Business Administration and Management at the United States International University Africa.[5] She then began working at the local internet provider Inter-Connect.[6]

Rionge co-founded the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL) in the late 1990s.[1][2] Wananchi is a Swahili word which means citizen.[7] Rionge was CEO for the first seven years, the enterprise became a multi-million dollar firm[8] and had operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi and Mauritius.[6]

In 2008 Rionge was headhunted to lead the restructuring of Telkom Kenya.[3] Rionge also established the business Ignite Consulting.[1][4] She was Co-Chair for Elevate Tech 2018 Toronto.[6]

In 2012, Rionge was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) for her contribution in entrepreneurship and women's empowerment.[2]

Rionge became a born-again Christian and died on 2 October 2023.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Njeri Rionge". Kenyan Heroes. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Veronicah, Ann. "Renowned tech icon Njeri Rionge is dead". The Standard. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Njeri Rionge, founder of Wananchi Online - one of Kenya's most celebrated serial entrepreneurs". Lionesses of Africa. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Meet Njeri Rionge Africa's most powerful Woman Entrepreneur". TAP Magazine. 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. ^ Ruto, Japhet (5 July 2023). "Njeri Rionge: Meet Kenyan Billionaire Founder of Wananchi Group Which Owns Zuku". Tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "Njeri Rionge, Co-founder of Wananchi Online Dies in Suspected Religious Cult". Kahawatungu. 3 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Africa's new digital frontier". BBC News. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  8. ^ "From milk vendor to a billionaire: The Story of Njeri Rionge". The Star. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
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