February 28, 1982 – August 23, 2026
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NKJV)
Josephine Karanja Kiambuthi — affectionately known to all as “Mum” — was born on February 28, 1982, in Nairobi, Kenya, to Bilha Muthoni Kariuki and the late Willie Karanja Kariuki. The second of four children and the deeply beloved and only daughter of the family, she was a devoted sister to her three brothers — Wilfred Kariuki, the late Newton Kariuki, and James Gichuru — a cherished sister-in-law to Monicah Kariuki and Keziah Wairimu, and a doting aunt to her nieces, Sydney Muthoni and Alyana Muthoni, and her nephew, Newton Karanja.
Josephine grew up in Thogoto, where she attended both primary and secondary school alongside her three brothers. Popular yet naturally reserved, she treasured her friendships and kept them for a lifetime — among them her dear friend Jaymo, whom she would later reunite with in America. From a young age she gave of herself for others, working in sales, digital photography, desk work, and food service to help support her family and to put her two younger brothers through school. Hers was a deeply caring heart that loved everyone she crossed paths with, even as she began to dream of achieving something more for herself and for those she loved.
In 2004, at the age of 22, she welcomed the greatest joy of her life — her son, Brian. She was overjoyed to have someone of her very own to love, nurture, and raise, and the two became virtually inseparable. As a little boy, Brian would hold his mother’s hand to make sure she was always right beside him — a tender memory she fondly reminded him of as he grew older and began to seek his independence. After a few years raising him with her family in Thogoto, Josephine began her nursing career, which opened the door for her to study in America and pursue better opportunities. It was a door she later said she would never have walked through without Brian; refusing to leave him behind, she worked tirelessly with her younger brother, James Gichuru, to secure his travel documents, and by God’s grace and mercy both of their visas were approved — marking the start of their journey toward a new life. On the flight over, she met her first “travel buddy,” best friend, and future maid of honor, Faith, and together the two set out on this new chapter one step at a time.
Settling first with a cousin in Shawnee, Josephine began working as soon as she could, entrusting Brian to trusted friends — the Wanjohi, Ndogo, Mwai, Faith and Jaymo, Nancy wa Gathoni, and Kimani families, among many others — whenever her long day and overnight shifts kept her away. She graduated from nursing school in 2014 and launched her nursing career, securing a home of her own for herself and Brian, and soon inviting her aunt from Kenya to stay while she got settled — once again showing her generous heart. She poured herself into Brian’s life, enrolling him in numerous activities and sports so that he would have the safe, joyful childhood she felt she had lacked growing up. Over the years she traveled back and forth to Kenya to visit family and friends and to make arrangements for her family’s future, and in time she explored destinations like Mexico and the Bahamas, firmly believing that experiencing new cultures brings fresh hope and joy.
Above all, Josephine was a devout, born-again Christian — a God-fearing woman whose faith was the very center of her life and, as she often said, her greatest superpower. She loved to serve the Lord and His people: she gave herself faithfully to the Care Ministry, and she served as a Small Group Events Coordinator at All Nations Breakthrough Church. She taught Brian to pray before leaving the house each day and made sure they prayed together as a family every night — even over the phone whenever she could not be there in person. She constantly reminded those around her to give back and to give glory to God, and whenever circumstances appeared bleak or discouraging, she turned first to scripture, to hope, and to prayer.
That faith would carry her through her hardest trials. When she unexpectedly fell seriously ill in May 2021 with complications from liver disease — spending long, disheartening months away from work and unable to leave the hospital — she never lost heart. She filled those days with scripture and prayer, trusting God for the strength to keep moving forward, and by His grace the Lord answered her prayers and restored her health.
By that grace, Josephine lived to see Brian graduate from high school, begin college, and launch a career he was proud of, becoming self-sufficient and standing on his own — a joy she spoke of constantly and with immense pride, to him and to her closest friends. Then, in the spring of 2026, she married the love of her life, Samuel Kiambuthi Kimani — son of the late Peter Kimani Kiambuthi and Josephine Wanjiku Kimani — fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a wife. She was warmly welcomed into his family by his siblings, Salome Wambui, Caroline Muthoni, and Jacob Mbuthia. The two cherished one another deeply, encouraging and lifting each other up through difficult times. They celebrated a beautiful wedding at their church before moving in together to begin their new life. On August 23, 2026, at the age of 44, she unexpectedly returned to the Lord at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City.
Josephine has not truly left us. She has moved on to Glory, to rest with the God she loved and served all her days. She leaves to treasure her memory her beloved son, Brian Karanja, her devoted husband, Samuel Kiambuthi Kimani, her dear mother, Bilha Muthoni Kariuki, and the entire Karanja and Kimani families, in Kenya and in America — and in every life she touched with her faith, her generosity, and her love.
Celebration of Life
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Viewing 5:00 PM • Service 6:00 PM
All Nations Breakthrough Church, 11411 W 71st Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66203
“She has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith.”
Obituary published by Charter Funerals.
