Kenyan Billionaire, Chris Kirubi dies at 80 years of age

East Africa’s renowned tycoon and entrepreneur Chris Kirubi has died at the age of 80 years, this has been confirmed by his media company Capital FM.

The Industrialist was flown to the US in November 2017 where he was hospitalized for four months after being diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, he said the cancer was detected early enough to be managed successfully.

In 2011, Forbes ranked Kirubi as the second richest Kenyan. In their estimation, Kirubi was the 31st richest African with a net worth of $ 300 million. In 2012, Forbes however dropped the billionaire from the list of Africa’s 40 richest.

He was a director at Centum Investment Company and the largest individual shareholder of the conglomerate. Centum is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange.

Kirubi is the Chairman of DHL Express Kenya Limited, Haco Industries Kenya Limited, Kiruma International Limited, International House Limited, Nairobi Bottlers Limited, Sandvik East Africa Limited and 98.4 Capital FM.

He is also a non-executive director of Bayer East Africa Limited, UAP Provincial Insurance Company Limited and Beverage Services of Kenya Limited.

Chris Kirubi was born in poverty and was orphaned at an early age forcing him to work during school holidays to support himself and his siblings.

It is said that after graduation, he worked as a gas cylinder salesman for energy giant Shell.

In the 1960s and 1970s, he worked with the defunct giant parastatal Kenya National Transport Company (KENATCO) as an administrator.

He started off by buying, renovating, and selling run-down properties in Kenya’s major towns.

A flamboyant businessman, Kirubi, was popular with the youth who nicknamed him DJ CK. This, because he would accompany continuity announcers at his Capital FM radio station and play tunes for his listeners.

He was also a popular figure at high-end parties, therefore a wealthy socialite.

Aside from his personal work, Kirubi had been involved extensively with several African Governments.

He served on the National Economic and Social Council which was responsible for crafting Kenya’s current blueprint for growth, Vision 2030, under President Mwai Kibaki’s regime.

He worked with the Government of Ghana as a Board Member of the Investors’ Advisory Council and as Ghanaian Honorary Consul General in Kenya (2000 to 2008) and was the Honorary Counsel to the Republic of Mauritius in Kenya.