The son of Freedom fighter Paul Joseph Ngei, Henry Masaku Ngei succumbed to cancer on Wednesday, August 12 at 74 years.
Masaku who succumbed to prostate cancer was the firstborn child of the late Kenyan freedom fighter, former Kangundo MP and Cabinet Minister.
While sending his condolences to the family of the deceased, President Uhuru Kenyatta described the departed businessman as an entrepreneur, patriot and a wise counsellor.
"The death of Masaku Ngei has robbed our country of a seasoned entrepreneur and businessman whose hospitality and agricultural ventures created hundreds of jobs for young Kenyans.
"Throughout his life, Masaku stood and worked for the unity and prosperity of Kenya, and was a wise counselor whose wisdom will be missed by many," President Kenyatta eulogised.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua also sent out his condolence message on Thursday, August 13 adding that the businessman had been ailing for a while.
"Mzee Masaku was a huge supporter of mine, advisor and friend. We just spoke a few days ago and I am sad we have lost a good man and leader," he wrote.
Until his death, Masaku ran Tala Motel in Tala town and was a consummate farmer in Kangundo, Machakos County.
Paul Ngei who died in August 2004, had five wives with 11 sons and 10 daughters who had disagreements over the division of the inheritance.
In March 2010, Ngei filed filed a petition in court and a grant was issued in his name and that of Patrick Mutinda, Victor and Humphrey Mutuku as joint administrators. The grant was partially confirmed in 2015.
Watch video of Mzee Masaku in a previous interview below:
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