Njeri Rionge

Christine Njeri Rionge OGW (12 January 1966 – 2 October 2023) was a Kenyan technology entrepreneur who was a co-founder of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL), one of Kenya’s first internet providers.

Njeri Rionge OGW
Rionge in 2007
Born	12 January 1966 Nairobi, Kenya
Died	2 October 2023 (aged 57)
Alma mater	United States International University Africa
Occupation	technology entrepreneur
Known for	co-founding Wananchi Online Limited (WOL)

Biography

Rionge was born on 12 January 1966 in Nairobi, Kenya.^[1] Her brother was the Communication Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.^[2]

Rionge's first business was "selling yoghurt from a friend's car trunk to the International School of Kenya and Loretto Convent Musongari High School over their school breaks. I saw a business opportunity and acted on it, determined to turn it into a reality."^[3] She also worked as a hairdresser.^[4]

Rionge studied Business Administration and Management at the United States International University Africa.^[5] She then began working at the local internet provider Inter-Connect.^[6]

Rionge co-founded the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wananchi Online Limited (WOL) in the late 1990s.^[1][2] Wananchi is a Swahili word which means citizen.^[7] Rionge was CEO for the first seven years, the enterprise became a multi-million dollar firm^[8] and had operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi and Mauritius.^[6]

In 2008 Rionge was headhunted to lead the restructuring of Telkom Kenya.^[3] Rionge also established the business Ignite Consulting.^[1][4] She was Co-Chair for Elevate Tech 2018 Toronto.^[6]

In 2012, Rionge was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) for her contribution in entrepreneurship and women's empowerment.^[2]

Rionge became a born-again Christian and died on 2 October 2023.^[2][6]