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If you ever lived in Kenya in the late 80s or 90s, the phrase “Drink Amario and Know Why Birds Fly” still rings in your mind — bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
Behind that audacious slogan stood a man who defined excess, controversy, and charisma in equal measure — Fai Amario, born Peter Gilbert Njoroge Ng’ang’a, the flamboyant tycoon from Naivasha who made Kenya’s liquor industry tremble and sparkle at the same time.
From Banana to Big Money
Born in 1954 in Banana, Kiambu, Fai’s story was never written in silver ink. His mother was a casual laborer at Mbiyu Koinange’s farm, while his father hustled in Njenga Karume’s businesses. Yet, from those modest beginnings rose a boy with restless ambition and a mind wired for enterprise.
He earned a place at Starehe Boys Centre, one of Kenya’s most elite schools, known for molding leaders and gentlemen. But even there, Amario was different — sharp, stubborn, and daring.
He joined the University of Nairobi to study pharmacy but dropped out after just one semester. The classroom, he later said, was too small for his dreams.
The Making of a Legend
His career began at Kiwi, where he worked as a factory manager. On the side, he hustled — selling shoe polish, candles, and ink. But fate would nudge him towards something far more intoxicating — the world of alcohol production.
After a stint in Israel studying winemaking, Amario returned home and set up Amarillo Wineries in Naivasha. From his factory flowed iconic brands — Amario’s Sherry, Pooler, Medusa, Uhuru 2000, Cantata, and Mahewa.
His wines and spirits became household names, especially among the working class. At his peak, Amario employed more than 200 people and owned fleets of vehicles, tracts of land, hotels, and a network of depots stretching from Naivasha to Kerugoya.
He was not just a businessman — he was a showman. His golden rings, sleek cars, and booming laughter made him a local celebrity.
The Dark Side of Success
But for all his success, Amario’s story was not without shadows. He was as feared as he was admired.
His “wife interviews” — open public auditions for would-be spouses — made national headlines. Rumors swirled about ex-wives who disappeared without a trace, and whispers grew of bodies buried within his sprawling mansion.
Even the mention of Naivasha evoked fear — locals said stolen cars ended up in his compound, and that crossing his path could mean trouble.
The legend only deepened when two accountants accused of stealing millions from his depot were found dead in a forest, impaled on six-inch nails. To many, that was when Kenyans truly knew why birds fly.
Clashes with the Law
Amario’s name was often in police files — illegal firearms, assault, robbery, even murder. Yet, he seemed untouchable. He was arrested multiple times, but conviction was rare.
He once spent three years in Kamiti Maximum Prison, a period he later described as one that “taught him humility and patience.”
His old headmaster, Dr. Geoffrey Griffin of Starehe Boys, had long tried to guide him back to the straight path. When asked about Amario years later, Griffin sighed and said:
“I have produced some of the finest gentlemen in this country — and then, I produced Fai Amario. Even the best machines sometimes produce damaged goods.”
The End of the Showman
In 2010, the curtains fell. Fai Amario died the way he lived — dramatically. He was buried in a golden coffin, befitting a man who once promised to outshine his rivals even in death.
His empire was left to his children, who soon found themselves embroiled in succession battles that mirrored the turbulence of their father’s life.
Still, his memory lingers in Naivasha’s dusty winds and Kenya’s collective memory. He remains a symbol of ambition unchecked, success unrestrained, and a reminder that every legend carries a price.
Fai Amario — the man who built an empire from nothing, courted fame and fear in equal measure, and made a whole nation “know why birds fly.”
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