• Beyond the story, Mercy Njeri Estate has grown into a thriving residential area. Secure and accessible, it sits just minutes from Nakuru town along Kabarak Road. Families enjoy the convenience of nearby schools, churches, shopping centres, and modern housing.

Along Nakuru-Kabarak Road, a vibrant hub is tucked within Kiamunyi estate. It is known as Mercy Njeri Shopping Centre. At its core stands Mercy Njeri Primary School, a name that, like many across the country, is not known for its origin.

Upon asking, you will find that its history is fascinating; the school was initially called Kiamunyi Primary, and there lingers the question: How did it become Mercy Njeri—a name that points to a Kikuyu girl?

This is the story of Mercy Njeri, a girl born in Nakuru in 1975, in Kiamunyi estate. Like any child, she was playful, full of dreams, and eager to learn. But at six years old, her health began to decline. Frequent illness and difficulty breathing led doctors to diagnose her with rheumatic heart disease, often described as a “hole in the heart.”

When she was ten years old, in 1985, her condition was critical, and specialists recommended urgent surgery abroad. The cost — half a million shillings — was far beyond what her family and neighbours could raise at that time, despite tireless community fundraisers.

Then came an unexpected turn. On February 4, 1985, President Daniel Arap Moi visited Kiamunyi Primary School. Mercy’s head teacher shared her story — her illness, her struggles, and her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

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Deeply moved, the President summoned her father to State House, Nakuru and personally mobilised funds for her treatment in the United Kingdom.

On March 14, 1985, Mercy was flown to the UK, carrying with her the hopes of her family and community. Two weeks later, she underwent a 12-hour heart surgery. Tragically, she passed away that same night, on March 29, 1985.

Her journey ended far from home, but her story had already touched the nation and it was bound to be a legacy.

Mercy was laid to rest on April 6, 1985 at her family home in Kiamunyi. In a rare gesture, President Moi attended the funeral in which Mr David Karanja, the then Kiamunyi primary head teacher, requested that the school be renamed in her honour. The President agreed, and Kiamunyi Primary became Mercy Njeri Primary School.

Over time, her name spread to the shopping centre, the road, and even a secondary school. Her family has kept her memory alive by continually supporting the school — from renovations and new desks to plans for a library. Her father often reflects that the honour of having a school named after his daughter is profoundly humbling, and it drives his commitment to strengthening education in the community.

Mercy’s life is a reminder that true greatness is not defined by longevity or status. It can be found in the enduring legacy of a child whose name continues to inspire, educate, and bring people together across generations.

Beyond the story, Mercy Njeri Estate has grown into a thriving residential area. Secure and accessible, it sits just minutes from Nakuru town along Kabarak Road. Families enjoy the convenience of nearby schools, churches, shopping centres, and modern housing.

Students and staff from Kabarak University, alongside workers from surrounding farms, have found a home here, blending academic life, agricultural livelihoods, and suburban comfort.

For residents, the estate is more than a place to live — it is a community built on history, resilience, and inspiration. Mercy’s name is not just a marker on a signpost; it is a reminder that even the smallest lives can leave the largest footprints.

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