Tag: Charles Rubia

The death of second liberation hero Kenneth Matiba two weeks ago has further cut down the numbers of an exclusive group of independence leaders whose defining attributes were their dedication to public service, business successes and the huge impact they had on the country’s politics. He was also remembered for dedication to public service, where, aged 31, he served as the youngest Permanent Secretary (PS) in Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s administration from 1963 to 1968 before resigning to join the Kenya Breweries Ltd where he rose to be general manager. Like Matiba, who died at 85, most of the five leaders mentioned above, now in their 80s or 90s, today suffer bad health attributed to old age, but most of what was said about Matiba could easily be said of them too. "Only Matiba managed to distinguish his public service from his personal businesses to a certain degree, but he paid the price for it. Without political patronage, these people would not have become as wealthy as they did.” As President for 24 years, not once did he report to office later than 6.30am, recalled his long-time press officer Lee Njiru. Mr Kibaki, 86, served as Moi’s Vice President for one decade from 1978 through 1988. From 1963, when President Kenyatta appointed him the first black Attorney General, Mr Njonjo bestrode Kenya’s legal and political landscape, scheming for Kenyatta’s succession before his ignominious downfall in 1983. Mr Rubia, now 95, then served as the MP of Starehe constituency from 1966 to 1988 rising to be a Cabinet minister. While serving both Presidents Kenyatta and Moi as a minister, privately, his businesses, especially a tour company called Kenya Mystery Tours, boomed.