President Kenyatta has mourned the death of Kenyan billionaire Wilfred Murungi.
The Mastermind Tobacco founder, who was in his seventies, passed away on Thursday morning.
The management of Mastermind Tobacco announced his demise in an internal memo circulated to all members of staff.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on of our chairman, Mr.W.Murungi on the 6/6/19.The board requests that all staff respect the family’s privacy in this difficult time. Further announcements will be made,” read the memo in part.
In his message of condolence, President Kenyatta described Murungi as an industrious and vibrant businessman who made a significant contribution to the growth of Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Murungi. He was a man of great insight and unique leadership qualities. His commitment and determination were his strongest assets,” Kenyatta said.
“His death leaves a gap that will not be filled, certainly not by these few words of consolation, but we thank God for the time we shared with him, just as we are grateful for the full use he made of it.”
Murungi founded Mastermind in 1987, two years after leaving the British American Tobacco (BAT) Kenya, where he served as the technical director.
His company went ahead to battle his former employer for cigarettes market after launching its flagship brand – Supermatch – in 1989.
Two years later, Mastermind unveiled the filterless Rocket brand targeting the lower end of the market.
I always wonder why Kenyan…
I always wonder why Kenyan media is so obsessed with monetary terminologies! Ati Kenyan Billionaire, so what if he was a billionaire? What did he invent that changed peoples lives? Tobacco is killing so many people that I wonder why someone would be revered for excelling in tobacco!
A president is supposed to…
A president is supposed to lead a country in a eulogy when the following happens:
1. Murder or mass murder e.g. terrorism
2. Severe accident leading to casualties
3. Natural disasters leading to loss of life/lives
4. Any death that is a national limelight
5. Foreign aggression resulting in casualties
6. Death of prominent personalities (not just the rich)
7. Any other casualties on national nature
The problem with Kenyan president and politicians, they only send condolences and eulogies when a rich person or politician dies. In recent past we had the following and we never heard anything from this president:
1. Baby Pendo (constant national news)
2. Sharon Otieno (national news plus governor involved)
3. Disastrous drought in Northern Kenya (even Akothee was involved)
4. Chris Msando (international news)
5. Remember the lady whose mother died due to negligence at Kenyatta National Hospital?
6. Constant mass casualties of road accidents (national tragedies)
7. I could go on and on….
On the other hand he always send condolences and representation whenever someone deemed important dies, usually either because they are billionaires (whatever that mean) or because they are politicians or related to politicians. A president need to rally people in mourning anyone who is of national limelight.
@Jag, very well said. Yep,…
@Jag, very well said. Yep, not someone who has been instrumental in selling tobacco leading to deaths or illnesses like jaguasi( is that still jag) has stated. What did he do for his community? If nothing good riddance.
Ndugu @Jag:
Nakuomba…
Ndugu @Jag:
Nakuomba uendelee kunguruma kama “simba” na kuwika kama “jogoo.”
Hongera sana ndugu yangu @Jag
Ningependa kuona nchi ya…
Ningependa kuona nchi ya Kenya ikiwa mojawapo ya nchi za kwanza duniani zitakazokataa uzalishaji wa tumbaku na pia uuzaji wa sigara yoyote nchini.
Kila mwaka sigara huwaua watu yapata milioni tano (5) duniani.
WaKenya popote mlipo: …
WaKenya popote mlipo: Tutumie teknolojia ya kisasa ili tuifanye nchi yetu kuwa nzuri kuliko nchi zote duniani kwa kuwasiliana (communicate) huku tukitumia mtandao (internet).
Kenya ni nchi ya watu wote. Sio ya wale wanaojiita “waheshimiwa” tu. Hawa ndugu zetu tuliowapigia kura kama wahudumu (servants) wetu, baada ya kuchaguliwa wamekuwa “wafalme wetu.”
Ni lazima tuhakikishe ya kwamba “mkristo Tapeli Ruto” amepelekwa jela kutokana na ufisadi ambao amefanya nchini. Nawaombeni msije mkasahau hata dakika moja ya kwamba, alimfanya msichana wa chuo kikuu mimba na huku anatudanganya ya kwamba yeye ni “mcha mungu” (god fearing) na pia “mkristo. Isitoshe, aliiba shamba la ndugu Muteshi baada ya uchaguzi wa 2007. Yeye yumo serikalini sasa kwa sababu nchi ya Kenya ni makao makuu ya ufisadi. Kama huyu ndugu yetu angekuwa nchi ya Korea, bila shaka angekuwa chini ya ulinzi au mgeni wa taifa wa serikali – jelani kwa muda usiopungua miaka 50!
Makofi @ Jag. Very good job…
Makofi @ Jag. Very good job description of what a Kenyan president should be…and what he/she shouldn’t be. Endelea vivyo hivyo.