In loving Memory of Mzee James Matoke Nyabero

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE The late Mzee James Matoke Nyabero was born in 1931 to the late Mzee Nyabero Mokoro and the late Mama Kwamboka (Moraa) Nyatigo in Nyanchoka village, Nyanchoka sub-location, Bosaragei location, Kiabonyoru ward, Ekerenyo North subcounty- Nyamira county. He was a brother to the late Maria, late Sese, late Osiri, late Nyakundi, late Segera, late Ooga, late Nyaswabu, late Nyakiambori, late Kerebi, Kirora, Makori, Nyagwencha, Osiri, late Pacificah, Hellen and Mary. RIGHT OF PASSAGE The late went through initiation into adulthood/ circumcision in the year 1943 as per the Abagusii cultural tradition. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE The late James married his first wife Dorica Nyarinda in the year 1958 and later married Milkah Gesare and the late Susan Nyaboke. Mzee was blessed with 20 children namely: Hepsibah, Truphena, Mong`are,Atebe, Mary, George, Damaris,Zipporah,late Manyeka, Nyabero, George, late Maganya,Jack, Maria,late Nyabero, Kwamboka, Gladys, George, Ogendi, and Phanice He survived with 61 grand children, and 17 great grandchildren CAREER The late James worked for the colonial masters at Lumbwa (Kipkelion) from 1955-1957. In 1958-1967, he did maize and pyrethrum farming at his ancestral land in his rural home - Nyanchoka village. In 1968, he moved to Obwari market where he started a small retail shop while still undertaking his farming activities. Mzee prospered well in his business and became a large scale businessman. He expanded his business by setting up two wholesale shops at Nyaramba market. Mzee also engaged in transport business (Matatu) along Kisii -Kericho and Kisumu among other routes.