Africa

Mohamed Ega Musa Mohamed: Eastleigh mourns a towering figure

A file photo of Mohamed Ega Musa Mohamed, a prominent member of the Eastleigh community, who died on January 28, 2024. (Photo: X)

By Gelle Dheere | Sunday, January 28, 2024

Mohamed Ega Musa Mohamed hailed from one of the pioneering families that established roots in Nairobi at the dawn of the last century, contributing significantly to the development of Eastleigh, now a vibrant Somali business hub.

Mohamed Ega Musa Mohamed, a pillar of the Eastleigh Somali community, peacefully died on Sunday morning in Nairobi at the remarkable age of 102, following a brief illness.

He hailed from one of the pioneering families that established roots in Nairobi at the dawn of the last century, contributing significantly to the development of Eastleigh, now a vibrant Somali business hub.

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Born on 5th Street in Eastleigh, Mohamed attended Pumwani African School. His journey took him to British Somaliland and former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, where he gained valuable experiences before returning to Kenya.

Joining Pepsi-Cola in the 1950s, he ascended through the ranks, ultimately becoming the first African to helm the global beverage company's operations in Kenya until his retirement in 1978.

Nasser Ega Musa, Mohamed's nephew and a former director of the UN Information Centre, lamented, "Even at the age of 102, it still feels as though he departed too soon."

Reflecting on Mohamed's remarkable life, Newton Kanhema, a former journalist and UN official from Zimbabwe, shared, "He told me stories of his adventures in Zimbabwe when he was a young man. He was a modern man who travelled across borders without any hesitation. A very wise man who taught us every time he spoke.”

A gentle giant with a commanding presence, Mohamed possessed an unparalleled knowledge of Nairobi and the community's rich history. His passing evokes the wisdom of the African proverb: "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground."

He leaves behind a legacy embraced by his four children, numerous grandchildren, and a community forever impacted by his contributions.