Billionaire businessman Chris Kirubi is dead, his family has confirmed.  

Kirubi, who was the chairman of Capital Group Limited, died on Monday at the age of 80, Capital FM quoted his family saying.

He was a significant shareholder and long-serving director of Centum Investments Company PLC. 

Dr Kirubi was a major investor in the manufacturing, media, real estate, insurance and investment sectors.

He was the Chairman of Haco Industries and among the first Kenyans to venture into the manufacturing sector in the 1970s. 

Read More

  1. Vintage Capital injects Sh6.1 billion into Two Rivers SEZ for major expansion
  2. Prosper Africa, US Embassy Kenya unveil 6 co-investment deals worth $55 million
  3. Centum shelves plan to sell its Sidian Bank shares to Nigerian Access Bank PLC

He also served as the Chairman of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

The billionaire was also the chairman of Coca-Cola Nairobi Bottlers, DHL Worldwide Express, Capital Media Group, International House Limited and Smart Applications International among others.

He was also the Deputy Chairman of Bayer East Africa Limited.

Dr. Kirubi was involved extensively with several African governments and served on the National Economic and Social Council responsible for crafting Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic blueprint during President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure.

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.

He served as Chairperson of Brand Kenya Board from March 2016 – December 2017 and was involved in a number of social causes. 

At the time of his passing, he served on the Harvard Global Advisory Council (Massachusetts, USA) with a view to advising the institution on education matters of Africa.

He also served on the Institution’s Africa Advisory Council honing in on specific needs of the continent and was a founder Council Member of the AU Foundation.

Dr Kirubi leaves behind two children, Robert Kirubi and Mary-Ann Musangi.

Details of his funeral are expected to be communicated at a later date.