Kamangu dies after short illness

By: Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director 1 min read

NAIROBI, October 8 – James Kamangu, the alleged husband of Assistant Minister Margaret Wanjiru is dead.

Family members said Mr Kamangu passed away at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday morning, after sudden illness.

Capital News saw documents at the hospital indicating that Mr Kamangu was admitted to the facility on Tuesday afternoon after being transferred from Kiambu hospital, suffering stomach pains.

He died shortly after 1am Wednesday morning.

Mr Kamangu came into the spotlight last year after he claimed he was Bishop Wanjiru’s estranged husband, and ruining her plans to marry a South African preacher Samuel Matjeke in February 2007.

The courts stepped in and blocked the wedding, saying the case had to be heard first.

James Kamangu, the cobbler from Gachie claimed he married the Starehe MP under the Kikuyu customary law in 1979. He alleged that the bishop later left their matrimonial home after having two sons with Kamangu.

Bishop Wanjiru and her sons denied him during a service at her Jesus is Alive Ministries Church, incensing Mr Kamangu who even demanded for a DNA paternity test.

A gender lobby group maendeleo ya wanaume supported Mr Kamangu, and offered to foot the legal proceedings.

Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director

Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director

Bernard is the Editorial Director at Capital FM, with more than two decades of experience in journalism, editorial leadership and news gathering across print and electronic media. He has built extensive experience in newsroom management, editorial strategy, content development and media leadership, overseeing the development and delivery of news and current affairs content across multiple platforms. Bernard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences from Moi University, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies – Development Communication from the University of Nairobi, and an Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation from Aga Khan University. As Editorial Director, he provides strategic leadership to Capital FM’s newsroom, with a focus on editorial excellence, innovation, public-interest journalism and the evolution of media in a rapidly changing digital environment.