Businessman Francis Mburu, known for his involvement in the controversial Ruaraka land deal, passed away on the morning of Thursday, February 20, 2025, at his home in Karen, Nairobi.
His family confirmed his death, stating that he was found unresponsive in his house. However, they were yet to establish the cause of death. A family friend noted that while Mburu had been unwell, his condition was not considered serious. His body has been moved to the mortuary, pending an autopsy and burial arrangements.
Mburu, a billionaire with vast land holdings in Nairobi and Kilifi, had a reputation for both his business acumen and generosity. Over the past decade, he received Ksh. 9.8 billion from the government as compensation for his stake in the Ruaraka land.
His associates described him as a wealthy yet reserved individual who was generous to those around him.
“He helped many people. When he had money, many others would receive the same,” said a close confidant.
Despite not drinking alcohol himself, Mburu often footed bills running into hundreds of thousands of shillings for his entourage, which included politicians and influential city figures. It was not uncommon for him to place high-stakes bets while playing pool, sometimes losing up to Ksh. 1 million in a single night without concern.
His wealth stemmed largely from the 96-acre Ruaraka land, which he acquired in 1981 from Israeli-owned Joreth Limited for Ksh. 14 million. Through his companies, Huelands Ltd and Afrison Export and Import Ltd, Mburu used the land to secure a loan for a housing project for the now-defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC). However, the project stalled, and part of the land was taken over by the General Service Unit (GSU). After a legal battle spanning decades, the government eventually compensated him for the land and accrued rent.
Despite his fortune, Mburu faced multiple legal battles over land ownership, including a dispute over land along Ngong Road, where the government is constructing Talanta Stadium.
His financial dealings and political associations made him a target for extortion, with many seeking a share of his wealth. Close associates say that receiving the government compensation significantly changed his life.
Before the Ruaraka land saga gained public attention, Mburu was relatively unknown, despite owning over 50 companies. Even in his later years, he maintained a low profile, traveling with a convoy of Land Cruisers, always flanked by security.
Mburu’s death marks the end of a controversial yet influential chapter in Kenya’s business and real estate sectors.
