Renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur Stephen Mogeni has died in a Kisumu hospital, a family member has confirmed the rather shocking news.
Mr Mogeni, a retired civil servant, is credited for boosting tea farming fortunes in Nyamira after setting the first privately owned tea factory at North Mugirango.
The company, Mogeni Tea Factory, was established in 2014 to rival Kenya Tea Development Agency, a government owned entity that dominates in the region.
According to Emily Mogeni, Mzee Mogeni died after a battle with a disease associated with old age in a Kisumu hospital on Sunday morning.
"Sad day to our family. We have lost our uncle Steven Ongenyo Mogeni. The pioneer in our family. The proprietor of Mogeni Tea Factory.
"To my cousins and our family at large, take heart and may God's peace be upon us. It's a dark day in Bosamararo and Kerumbe. May uncle R.I.P," she said in a text.
Mzee Mogeni was an influential businessman in Gusii region and is Uncle to Nyamira Senator Okong'o Mogeni. He was also a renowned educationist.
So obsessed he was with education that he often contributed huge sums of money to bright students across Nyamira and most importantly at his Bosamaro backyard.
In an interview with reporters two years ago, he said Mogeni Tea Factory was instrumental in the region since it gave employment opportunities to hundreds of people.
“This is like a community project because I have employed several people from the surrounding area. We have to maintain this venture to bring economic gains to the community,” he said.
His death comes few months after another billionaire businessman Ong'era Moturi died due to age related diseases. The two were some of most respected businessmen.
#hivisasaoriginal