Paul Ngei

Paul Joseph Ngei (1923 – 19 December 2004) was a Kenyan politician who was imprisoned for his role in the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule. He was one of the Kapenguria Six, along with Jomo Kenyatta, Bildad Kaggia, Achieng' Oneko, Kung'u Karumba, and Fred Kubai.

After Kenya's independence in 1963, Ngei held various ministerial positions in Jomo Kenyatta's government, including Minister for Co-operatives and Marketing, Minister for Housing, and Minister for Local Government. He was known for his populist policies and his strong support for Kenyatta's leadership.

Ngei remained a powerful figure in Kenyan politics for many years. However, his political career was marred by allegations of corruption and abuse of power. In 1990, he was declared bankrupt, leading to the loss of his parliamentary seat. He subsequently regained his seat and remained in Parliament until 1996, when he was finally barred from holding public office due to election offenses.

Paul Ngei's legacy remains complex. He is remembered as a nationalist hero who fought for Kenya's independence but is also associated with corruption and political maneuvering during the Kenyatta era. His political career reflects the turbulent and often contradictory nature of post-independence Kenyan politics.