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  • Business man Chris Kirubi dies at 80

    By Evelyne Syombua

    (issyombua@gmail.com)

    The late Chris Kirubi – PHOTO/TheStandard

    Billionaire businessman Chris Kirubi, who was also the chairman of Capital Group Limited, died of cancer in his home on Monday at 1pm.

    “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Christopher J. Kirubi who passed away today at 1 pm at his home after a long battle with cancer fought with fortitude, grace and courage,” his family said in a statement, adding, “he was surrounded by his family.”

    Kirubi who has been fighting cancer since 2016, leaves behind two children. Before the call of death, he tweeted.

    “Top of the morning to you, my dear friend. It doesn’t have to be a tiring Monday. Instead, I bring to you good tidings of favour, success, achievements and happiness in the new week.” Said Kirubi. “Give yourself a go towards your success plan. Enjoy today and the rest of your week.”

    “I have received the shocking news of the passing away of my friend Chris Kirubi with a lot of sadness. The cruel hand of death has robbed our nation of a patriot whose entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and determination saw him create some of our county’s largest enterprises which offer employment to thousands of our people,” mourned President Kenyatta.

    Kirubi was diagnosed with colon cancer in November 2017 and he was taken to the US for treatment. At that time, he said the cancer was detected early enough to be managed successfully.

    In an interview with BDLife in January 2020, Kirubi shared about his battle with cancer and his thoughts on death.

    “One thing I have come to discover is that in the end, you’re alone. Your friends may love you, but eventually, you have to deal with your sickness personally. You think about the past, the things that you could have done, the things that you have not done and what you can do to compensate for things you ignored. It is a time of reflection. And prayers from friends do help a lot,” said Kirubi.

    Kirubi was a director of Centum Investment Company, one of the largest investors in the group. Business seems to have ran though his blood vessels as he was 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.

    In addition, he was the Deputy Chairman of Bayer East Africa Limited and a non-executive director UAP Provincial Insurance Company Limited and Beverage Services of Kenya Limited.

    In 2011, Forbes ranked Kirubi as the second richest Kenyan and the 31st richest man in Africa with a net worth of USD300million. However, in 2012, he was dropped from the list of the continent’s 40 richest people.

    Kirubi was born in a poor family and at a young age. He worked during school holidays to support himself and his siblings after the death of his parents. He defied the rule of fate and circumstances by becoming prosperous despite his background.

  • Day of the African Child

    By: BY Nyokabi Ng’ang’ a, Claudine Otieno
    Leshnyokabi@gmail.com, otienoclaudine@gmail.com

    Photo courtesy: pin.it/aodvrosnrngw33

    “To every child- I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace and be happy,” these are the words and the hope of Malala Yousafzail, an activist from Pakistan, that every child should be given an opportunity to dream and dream big for that matter.
    The Day of the African child is one that is set apart for celebrations every June, the 16th, in a bid to celebrate the African child while commemorating the thousands of children who died in the Soweto uprising. Sarafina, a potent film production created in 1992, was one that resonated well with many, especially those of the African descent, on the issue and importance of liberating education as a measure of unchaining Africa from the bonds of colonization and foreign dominance. Just like the film Sarafina gestures, in 1976 the 16th of June, thousands of students took to the streets of Soweto in protest to the decision that was made on having Afrikaans, as the officiated language of instruction in all local schools. This decision was a move deemed racist hence imploring the thousands of students to counter it.
    It is reported that 176 students-with an estimation made of up to 700 students died in the protest as a result of being gunned down by the then brutal police force, with thousands them injured in the events of the protests. This led to the adoption of 16th June as the ‘youth day’ in South Africa, by its government, and the ‘Day of the African child’ by the African Union in 1991. The Day of the African child, presently, commemorates the brave students who took part in the protest but also seeks to raise awareness of the situation of the Children in Africa and on the need for continuing to improve the education of the African children as reported by the World Health Organization.
    It seeks to unite all the African children and build on the interests and the issues facing the African child. Annual celebrations of this day are themed by the African Union. This year, the Day of the African child was themed; “Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s rights first, in an effort to call forth for the attention of the issues of children who are at the risk of being manipulated by the virtue of being in a vulnerable state in the event of being displaced, being orphaned or being a refugee.
    It has been a struggle to liberate African children. In a continent where their rights are heavily exploited, little is being done to ensure that children actively and continuously know their rights. It has not been rolled out as a class or clubs in a majority of the schools to educate our young ones on their rights, not only for purposes of their own protection but also to bring up leaders who fully understand their position and influence they have in the society at large. The education system has not supported the uprising of African children into what we keep telling them to be. Rather, the system has been used as a form of control with no room for them to counter or raise questions on ongoing events in our countries. We are still witnessing cases of deaths involving student leaders. Students protesting for their own rights and reasons are faced with brutality, guns, and bullets. Even the license to protest or age as a young member of society does not separate you from the wrath of the harsh reality of African streets. Many rules have been formulated to protect the African child such as the Agenda 2040 developed by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, that expands ten aspirations made in a bid to make an ‘Africa fit for children.’
    It is high time that all Africans realize there is a need to modify our education system. Education is a tool used in enlightening all Africans, whether young or old. If we do not let ourselves and those to come to be taught of justice, be taught of transformation, be taught of freedom, to be taught of excellence or even on the culture of ‘ubuntu’ through our educational system, we will sink into the deep ends of suppression and downgrade to the dependency syndrome.
    Desmond Tutu clearly voices, “Children learn about the nature of the word from their family. They learn about power and about justice, about peace and about compassion within the family. Whether we oppress or liberate our children in our relationships with them will determine whether they grow up to oppress and be oppressed or to liberate and be liberated.”