Arguably one of Kenya's leading entrepreneurs, billionaire and media owner Chris Kirubi who died on Monday aged 81 was laid to rest today
Kirubi's send-off at his farm in Thika, Kiambu county was witnessed by his close family members and a section of Kenya's leaders in the public and private sector.
Although very little is known about his immediate family, especially his wife and children, new details emerged about the youngest of his daughters during the burial service.
Identified as Fiona Farha Kirubi, the last born daughter of the billionaire who lives in Dubai admitted that she was less known compared to her brother Andrew and Mary Anne.
"I want to thank you all for being here to remember and celebrate the life of my dad, Chris Kirubi. To those gathered here who I haven't met, I am Fiona Kirubi, the youngest of his children," Fiona said.
Fiona who admitted having trouble with her father told mourners that she would talk to her 7-month-old son about her grandfather.
"I wish he would have met the new addition to the family, my 7-month-old son Mufasa who would carry the name Kirubi. I promise to tell him all about his Guka when he grows up," Fiona said.
The billionaires’ wife, Miss Kirubi parted ways with him in 1999 after the two divorced. The woman now leads a low key life away from the public limelight.
Kirubi’s first-born daughter is known as Mary Anne Wambui aged 47 years old. Wambui is a Kenyan businesswoman and entrepreneur who runs her father’s empire and also seats on a number of boards of public and private companies.
After her father’s death, Wambui joined Kenya Manufacturers Association as a director.
His son Robert Kirubi works in Belgium and he is the head of Global Customer programs at DHL Services Logistics.
Robert in 2018 turned down an offer by his father when he was asked to come back to Kenya and manage some of his father’s businesses.
During the funeral service, Kirubi’s eulogy was read by his siblings Susan Shrita and Jimmy Kinyan.
Eulogised by President Uhuru Kenyatta as a seasoned businessman, entrepreneur and industrialist who founded and successfully ran some of Kenya's largest corporations, Kirubi boasted of influential connections in and outside government.
During his requiem mass yesterday, David Kibaki eulogised Kirubi on behalf of his father Mwai Kibaki.
K24 Digital established that Kirubi and former President Kibaki's son David both sat on the board of the landmark International House in Nairobi. According to credible sources the Kibakis have a substantial stake at the building owned by DJ CK.
So close was Kirubi with former President Kibaki that the billionaire served on the National Economic and Social Council which was responsible for crafting Kenya’s current blueprint for growth, Vision 2030.
In 2013, retired President Mwai Kibaki appointed Professor Richard Musangi the Vice-Chancellor of Kabianga University
Prof Musangi is a renowned educationist and a scholar as well as an accomplished Administrator.
Born on April 24th,1934 at Milo, in Bungoma County Prof Musangi is the father Kirubi's son-in-law Andrew Mukite Musangi.
Andrew who married Mary Anne Kirubi in 2009 is a renowned Kenyan lawyer.
Andrew formed Mukite Musangi & Company Advocates (MMC) in December 1998 where he is Managing Partner.
Musangi also served as Chair of the Jubilee Party National Executive Board in 2017 where he played a key role in President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election.
A powerful figure both in government and in the private sector, Kirubi's son-in-law chairs the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) which is instrumental in overseeing tenders handled by government agencies.
Also notable in the list of Chris Kirubi's powerful associates is ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka.
According to the two political principals, Kirubi talked both of them into ceding ground for the benefit of the country after the 2007 post-election violence.
Speaking during the requiem mass yesterday, Kalonzo revealed that Kirubi visited him at his Karen, Nairobi home and asked him not to be 'stupid'.
It's then that Kalonzo joined Kibakis's government from the opposition where he was Raila's deputy in the CORD political outfit.
