Chris Kirubi
| Chris Kirubi | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1941 (age 73–74) Kenya |
| Residence | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | Kikuyu |
| Citizenship | Kenya |
| Occupation | Businessman, Industrialist, Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1971 – present |
| Known for | Business, Philanthropy |
| Home town | Nairobi |
| Title |
Chairman Centum Investments |
Chris Kirubi is a Kenyan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. He is the current Chairman of Centum Investment Company Limited, a business conglomerate, in which he is the largest individual shareholder.[1]
Background
During the 1960s and early 1970s, Kirubi worked as an Administrator at Kenatco, a government-owned transportation company. Starting around 1971, he began buying run-down buildings in the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, renovating them and either selling the renovated structures or renting them out. He also began acquiring strategic pieces of land in and around Nairobi, and proceeded to erect rental residential and commercial properties on them, using loans from Kenyan financial institutions.[2] Kirubi has been know to be cocky in his dialogue particularly to the younger generation hence him being famously known as Mr. "Ponye" which translates to a windbag in the Swahili language.
Holdings
His investments include approximately 29% shareholding in Centum, a 51% shareholding in Harco Tiger Industries Limited, 100% ownership of 98.4 Capital FM, a Nairobi radio station, a 9.58% ownership in UAP Insurance and minor interests in a number of listed firms, including Kenya Commercial Bank Group, Nation Media Group and Standard Chartered Kenya.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Juma, Victor (19 September 2013). "Kirubi Builds KSh1 Billion War Chest for Centum Shares". Business Daily Africa (Nairobi). Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Nsehe, Mfonobong (16 November 2011). "Meet Chris Kirubi, Mr. Kenya". Forbes Magazine Online. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ↑ Juma, Victor (11 September 2013). "Billionaire Kirubi Bets On KCB After He Sells Safaricom". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 18 October 2014.