In January 2023, a rumour spread across the internet that a certain nyama choma joint would be closing down after half a century in operation. This created a countywide panic of sorts as Kenyans lamented the loss of the beloved street food joint – Njuguna’s Place. Many shared anecdotes of the top-notch service they had received from the waitstaff, and mouthwatering narratives of the delectable dishes they had consumed. To everyone’s relief, the rumour turned out to be false; Njuguna’s Place was simply undergoing a renovation to give its 50-year-old bones a fresh face.  

A one-man affair 

Now regarded a local phenomenon, Njuguna’s Place has its humble beginnings as a small canteen along Salisbury Way, now known as Waiyaki Way. Named after its founder, Joseph Njuguna Macharia, the eatery was established in the 1970s to serve as a communal feasting area for the families living in the neighbouring Kabete Army Barracks. 

At its genesis, Macharia was known to do all the cooking himself. He would boil chunks of beef until they were tender, spice and barbecue the meat to perfection, and cook fresh vegetables to go along with it. To balance the meal, the dishes came with an offer of aromatic bread and a side of hearty mukimo. 

As a chef, Macharia took his craft very seriously, and his ultimate aim was to perfect his skill so that he could offer his customers food of the highest quality. Sure enough, word of his tasty dishes soon travelled beyond the confines of the Westlands area, and Nairobi residents began to flock in from other locales. 

 The joint where million-shilling-deals are struck 

Amongst those attracted to this smoky hangout were media personalities, politicians, and top-ranking military officials. In fact, Njuguna’s hosted several former presidents, including the late Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. This made this street food place the ideal spot for hungry journalists looking for the latest scoop of political news. Back then, you never knew who you’d end up meeting at Njuguna’s; you could be rubbing shoulders with some of the nation’s decision-makers as you bonded over a plate of ugali! 

In August 2015, Joseph Macharia passed away. This legend is remembered by many for creating one of the most iconic street food places in the country. His business was passed on to his children, who hope to continue his legacy of bringing together Kenyans from all walks of life, for their common love of nyama choma! 

#StreetFoodKenya