Njugunas closes down has left many people asking questions, considering it is one of the most famous nyama choma joints in Kenya.
One Kenyan had tweeted that the Nairobi-based restaurant, which has been feeding Kenyans for 50 years, had closed down. The post attracted the attention of many Kenyans, who expressed their disappointment.
Contrary to the claims that Njuguna’s is shutting its doors, the joint is actually undergoing a facelift. According to Citizen Digital, who visited the place, the current Njuguna’s structure is being demolished as a modern one is about to be constructed.
Workers at the joint said that the owners want to construct a bigger and more appealing structure. So, Njugunas closes down means that the popular city eatery is just getting a makeover and will be back bigger.
Njuguna’s joins other businesses in Kenya that have stopped operating after serving for decades. One of them is the popular Hilton Hotel, which was officially closed on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
What Does Njuguna’s Sell?
Njuguna’s Place is known for being one of the joints in Nairobi with the juiciest nyama choma. Its food and value are rated 4.5 on TripAdvisor.
You can visit the joint any time of the day and walk away with your belly full to the brim. Here you get breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some of the features available at Njuguna’s include parking space, seating space and table service. The eatery also serves alcohol.
Where Is Njuguna’s Located?
Njuguna’s Place is located along Waiyaki Way opposite Abc place in Westlands. You’ll find a buzz of clients who want to eat nyama choma at the Nairobi-based eatery every day.
If you don’t like the idea of going to Njuguna’s, you can still order their meat online via Glovo.
Who Owns Njuguna’s Place?
Njugunas closes down has led to people asking who is the owner of this iconic eatery. Well, Njuguna’s Place was founded by Joseph Njuguna Macharia in the 1970s.
He built a small joint along Salisbury Way (now known as Waiyaki Way) to serve as a canteen for the Westlands community and families of those living in the neighbouring military camp.
Joseph Njuguna used to do most of the work there by himself because he thought his workers would not do the work perfectly as he did. He roasted and boiled meat, made kachumbari, ugali, and mukimo and even sold bread.
Njuguna served from a small building where prominent people met to have discussions. Due to the big names visiting Njuguna’s, it gained popularity among Kenyans.
More than three decades later, Joseph Njuguna passed away in August 2015. The Nairobi-based restaurant is now operated by his family, who want to upgrade it to match the Westlands environs.
Njuguna’s has remained strong over the years, serving Kenyans in the city and those travelling along the busy Waiyaki Way. Despite plush eateries being established nearby, many people still opted to eat at Njuguna’s.
Prominent People Who Visited Njuguna’s Place
Njugunas closes down could be heartbreaking news to several prominent people in Kenya. Among those said to be frequent clients at the eatery include the late former President Mwai Kibaki, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The current President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, has also eaten at the eatery alongside other powerful politicians.
Veteran journalist Leonard Mambo Mbotela and broadcaster Salim Mohamed also frequented the small joint to meet the Who’s and Who in the KANU administration. You would find KANU hawks like the late Joseph Kamotho talking in low tones at Njuguna’s while enjoying delicious nyama choma.
Leonard Mambo Mbotela once went straight to Njuguna’s Place with then-President Daniel Moi immediately after arriving from a foreign trip. Leonard was at the time working in the Presidential Press Service Unit.
Njugunas closes down could have gone viral decades ago when the military base that is just opposite wanted to evict Njuguna from the land. But the military didn’t succeed because of a phone call from a top civil servant in the Office of the President.
