He spent four years teaching at Chogoria High School, before enrolling for a Bachelor of Arts degree in the University of North Wales Bangor.
[2][3] Mate ran in the 1957 election, winning the Central Kenya seat[4] against former nominated MP Eliud Mathu as well as politicians such as Jeremiah Nyagah.
[6][7] During Mate's term in office, he served in the minority KADU government of Ronald Ngala in various capacities including Minister of Health, Education and Social Services.
[8] He is credited with contributing to the abolition of the discriminative Common Entrance Exam, and the establishment of Kaguru Farmers Training Centre during this time.
Four daughters: Anne Keeru, Amy Kagendo, Ivy Kathanje, and Alice Kanyua and three sons: Arthur Njage, Munene Mate, and Nelson Njeru.