Koinange played a stifling role in Kenya's fight for independence movement.
He was a paramount chief who helped the Colonial powers to suppress Africans that were fighting for the independence.
[1] Although he never learnt to read or write, he was an articulate man, politically active and influential.
He led his clan from 1905, and was appointed “headman” by the Colonial administration in 1921, and Senior Chief of Kiambu District in 1938.
[1] He retired in February 1949 as Senior Chief but remained active retaining the role of African deputy vice-president of the Kiambu Local Native Council.