President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua have paid glowing tribute to a prominent Nairobi businessman Mzee Gerald Gikonyo Kanyuira for his passion in business sector and commitment to serve the nation.
The President and his Deputy described Mzee Gikonyo who died at, 110 years as a dedicated and diligent businessman who oversaw growth of the Nairobi’s business sector during the colonial and post colonial eras.
In a condolence message read on his behalf by the Deputy President on Saturday at Wanjerere primary school grounds in Kangema, Murang’a County, the President eulogised Mzee Gikonyo as a fallen hero who will be remembered for his great humility, kindness, integrity and exemplary courage.
“The death of Mzee Gikonyo leaves a huge vacuum among us that will be hard to fill. Those who knew him or had opportunity to work with him know that Mzee Gikonyo will be remembered as a man of great humility, kindness integrity and exemplary courage. He was diligent and hardworking man whose name was synonymous with discipline and success,” said the President in the tribute.
Mzee Gikonyo, who died last week in his sleep, ventured in business in 1930 as a hawker in Nairobi. Over the years he established a business empire, Rwathia Group of Companies, comprising investments in the City Capital such as Alfa Hotel, Magomano Hotel, Timboroa Hotel, New Kinangop Hotel, Rwathia Distributors -a beer distribution company- and other businesses in real estate sector.
For his part, DP Gachagua said Mzee Gikonyo will remain an inspiration to many people in the business sector due to his achievements and the humble beginning.
“His wealth was put together through decades of hardwork and determination. He will remain inspiration to many people,” Mr Gachagua told the thousands of mourners in his passionate tribute.
And since Rwathia village is known for producing top Kenyan business moguls, the DP said; “we have followed people of Rwathia village and their determination in business, they are hardworking people and they only need conducive environment for doing business. I am admirer of Rwathia people over their determination”.
Mr Gachagua, who also shared time with the residents in the village after the funeral service, asked the business community to take keen interest with the governance of the Nairobi City County to ensure there is conducive environment and policies for their business investments.
“Since the business community has huge investments in Nairobi, they should take keen interest in governance of Nairobi county,” said Mr Gachagua.
He further announced that the MauMau roads project will be completed.
In regard to the agriculture sector, the Deputy President called on tea farmers to choose people on integrity in the forthcoming KTDA elections.
On coffee sub-sector, he asked management of cooperative societies to be prudent in financial management and avoid borrowing money without authority of the crop growers. He said the Government’s decision to write-off a Sh6.9 billion debt was part of the measures to revive the sub-sector.
Regarding politics, Mr Gachagua said he had succeeded in unifying the Mount Kenya region and asked leaders to respect wananchi, stop showoffs and work on the aspirations of the people.
“Those in leadership ought to respect the people and stop demeaning them. Remain humble. Some are showing off their monies despite saying that the Government has no funds and is collecting taxes to pay debts,” he said.
Present were Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Moses Kuria, the area MP Peter Kihungi, Senator Joe Nyutu, Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Veronica Maina (Nominated Senator) and MCA’s led by the host Kamau Kagori (Rwathia ward), Grace City (Kanyenya-ini), Carol Njarara (Nyandarua) among other leaders.
Murang’a County Assembly speaker Johnson Mukuha, Corporate and business leaders led by businessman Peter Munga together with former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba and former Nairobi deputy governor Polycarp Igathe were also present.
