The owner of cigarette maker, Mastermind Tobacco, Wilfred Murungi, is dead.
In a memo sent to the workers at Mastermind Tobacco Kenya Limited, staff were notified of the loss of their chairman.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing on of our chairman, Mr.W.Murungi on the 6/6/19.
"The board requests that all staff respect the family's privacy in this difficult time. Further announcements will be made," read the memo.
Details surrounding his death were still scanty at the time of this publication.
On Twitter, the Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria, expressed his sadness at the loss of the industrialist.
"Saddened to receive the news of the passing on of illustrious industrialist and Chairman of Mastermind Tobacco Kenya Eng Wilfred Murungi.
"If we do not fix the environment of doing business we will continue losing our people, from Nyamakima traders to leading manufacturers," he added.
It is alleged that the cigarette company had entered into negotiations that could see a majority stake move to Philip Morris International, the world's largest tobacco company.
The billionaire has died amid a legal tussle between him and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
