Chris Kirubi echoes many things to many people.
To the haters, Kirubi presided over the collapse of Uchumi Supermarkets. As a Chairman of the chain and also a director of ICDI Investments, the company. Kirubi was also a director of Kenatco Company Limited, the company that pioneered transportation business in Kenya back in the day.
Kirubi was a shrewd businessman. For many years, he was the Consular of the Government of Ghana. His 11th floor offices at International Life House Houses Kiruma International Limited. This is the flagship firm that Kirubi cuts business deals with.
It was at the comfort of this floor that Kirubi hosted political giants such as Mwai Kibaki during his hey days.
Legend has it that Kibaki was a silent investor at International Life House Limited. But the former President controversially sold out his stake during his lowest political ebb between 1992 and 2000.
When Kibaki become President in 2002, Kirubi re established ties with him. He was famously photographed kneeling before the President to catch or pledge his loyalty.
During the last 10 years of President Daniel Arap Mois rule, Kirubi was charged with the offence of conspiracy to defraud Uchumi Supermarket. He was however later discharged of the allegations by a court of law. International many quarters, Kirubi was viewed as a philanthropist and an industrialist.
As the founder Chairman of Haco Industries Kirubi cut a niche for himself as a captain of industry. To make his mark in the world of the media, he bought Capital News and converted it into one of the most vibrant news outlets in Kenya.
RIP Kirubi
