John Mungai: Seventh grade dropout who started as a tailor to end up owning a multi-million dollar media house in the US

John Mungai’s journey from a difficult start to success serves as an inspiration to many Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad.

After dropping out of school in the seventh grade, Mungai’s life took unexpected turns, eventually leading him to the United States and a position as the CEO of Njung’wa Diaspora Television.

Mungai’s story began with a pursuit of tailoring skills after he was unable to complete primary school due to his humble background.

In the 1980s, he moved from the Rift Valley to Gikomba, Nairobi and embarked on a business that laid the foundation for his future.

However, life in Nairobi presented problems and a financial crisis forced him to return home.

Undeterred by setbacks, Mungai dabbled in second-hand clothing, known as mitumba, until a government ban changed his course.

Adapting to the changing circumstances, Mungai moved to sell artefacts in a curio shop but had to face displacement due to road construction.

It was during these challenging times that Mungai applied for a green card, a move that changed the trajectory of his life.

When he won his green card in 2003, he secured the funds through a successful fundraiser, allowing him and his family to embark on a new chapter in the United States.

“I paid the necessary fee and signed for my family to enter the country. We have completed the process and it has been more than 18 years,” he stated.

The move to the US presented its own set of challenges, but Mungai took a variety of jobs before finding success in a delivery service where he invested in a truck.

In an interview  Mungai emphasized the importance of patience and hard work and urged those facing economic hardship in Kenya to persevere.

Mungai’s journey is not without difficulties and he realizes how challenging it is to help family members who often rely on paperwork.

“Everything takes hard work and enough planning to succeed,” he noted.