The iconic Kangangi Bar in the heart of Kiambu town has finally closed it’s doors after decades of being in operation.
The bar which began its operations almost after independence has seen a generational change towards it’s growth and steady rise that saw who is who in the larger Kiambu district as it was referred those days frequent it.
According to former Kiambu Mayor Mr J Wakaba , one of the club founders, it was the only Club in the whole of Kiambu which included Gatundu where even the founding father of the nation Mzee Jomo Kenyatta used to hold delegations.
Mr Wakaba who has served as as the Kiambu town councillor for many years said the naming of the bar made way for the now Kangangi Market to be named as it tallied well with the environment” The initial plan was to set up the market at Indian Bazaar which was an empty field but after consultations, it was decided the market be in Kiambu town and that is how Kangangi bar was realized” Mr Wakaba added.
The bar known for its finger licking Nyamachoma was the base for Kiambu prominent politicians like the Late Mbiyu Koinange, Njenga Karume and Stanley Githunguri.
According to Wakaba high end mobilisations of supporters used to gather at the club for campaign strategies of their candidates and the business was booming since nowhere else across Kiambu that one would settle for a beer .
He added the then first District commissioner of Kiambu used to meet with Mzee Kenyatta and would be briefed on the status of the affairs if he was not at his home in Ichaweri.
Businesses along the market and near the bar used to perform well due to the high number of people frequenting the bar.
According to those who attended the campaign strategy meetings for Former Kiambaa MP Njenga Karume, they described his affable love for the place ” Mzee Karume used to love this place and he had his seat which was not used by just anybody, he used to buy us what we ate and drank including running even all through the night, that’s why you saw him winning over elections like everytime for many years” a long time supporter for Karume told the Kiambu star.
Not only did the club attract politicians but hundreds of group members including teachers who usually gathered for AGMs did find time to enjoy in the bar and have Nyamachoma” I just remember with nostalgia how we used to frequent Kangangi Bar after our AGM every year and we had lots of fun since the dividends we were being given were high and we had money to spend” a former teacher from Metropolitant sacco told the Kiambu Observer.
And as the curtain falls down on the oldest Bar in Kiambu, memories still will remain on the minds of patrons who had a real bonding with the establishment.
