The late tycoon, Wilfred M’iti Murungi, was a Kenyan industrialist and electrical engineer who founded Mastermind Tobacco Kenya, which became the country’s second-largest cigarette manufacturer after British American Tobacco.
Murungi died on June 6, 2019, in his early seventies after months of poor health. His death was attributed to pulmonary thromboembolism.
In a memorial service announcement, the family confirmed his death and described him as the husband of the late Joyce Ithiru Murungi, father to Audrey, Angela, Alan and Eric, and grandfather to Adrian.
The announcement stated that a private burial ceremony would be held in Meru, followed by a memorial service at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 2 pm.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wilfred M’iti Murungi. Husband to the late Joyce Ithiru Murungi, father to Audrey, Angela, Alan and Eric, and grandfather to Adrian. A private burial ceremony will be held in Meru, followed by a memorial service at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday 13th June 2019 at 2 pm,” the statement read.
Later, his burial took place and lasted about one hour, with only eight family members attending the send-off.
Wilfred Murungi: Early Career and Rise in the Tobacco Industry
Murungi trained as an electrical engineer and began his career at the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), where he worked as an engineer.
He later joined British American Tobacco (BAT) Kenya and rose to the position of technical director, gaining experience in cigarette manufacturing, supply chains, and industry regulation.
Around the age of 39, Murungi left BAT in the mid-1980s to pursue his own tobacco business.
He initially worked as a distributor of locally manufactured cigarettes in what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he gained experience and built capital.
Murungi incorporated Mastermind Tobacco (K) Limited on April 13, 1987. The company began production in Nakuru before expanding its operations to Nairobi as the business grew.
Its major brands included Supermatch, launched in 1989, and Rocket, a budget filterless cigarette introduced in 1991.
Mastermind grew to become Kenya’s second-largest cigarette manufacturer, employing about 1,000 workers and reportedly paying about KSh2 billion in taxes annually at its peak.
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As managing director and chairman of the Continental Group of Companies, Murungi also oversaw interests beyond tobacco, including distribution, marketing, communications, real estate and engineering.
Investments Beyond Tobacco
Murungi was also involved in Kenya’s financial sector as a co-founder and major shareholder of Key Microfinance Bank, alongside other investors including Francis Muthaura and Luke Kinoti.
He served as a long-serving non-executive director of ARM Cement and was its board chairman between October 2017 and August 2018.
Murungi also chaired NGM Limited, an electrical engineering contracting company.
His corporate and industry roles included serving on the boards of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Fall, Rivalry with BAT and Regulatory Battles
As a former BAT executive, Murungi eventually became one of the multinational’s main local competitors through Mastermind Tobacco.
He publicly accused BAT of colluding with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials to subject Mastermind to aggressive tax demands and surveillance.
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The company also faced legal and regulatory challenges while competing in a market dominated by a major multinational.
By the late 2010s, Mastermind was embroiled in a prolonged dispute with KRA over reported tax arrears of about KSh2.9 billion. The dispute resulted in forced-sale orders involving some of the company’s properties.
Following his death on June 6, 2019, Mastermind’s financial difficulties continued, with no clear successor publicly identified as the company faced mounting debts.
Production eventually stopped in June 2023, while I&M Bank placed the company under administration in December 2023.
About 1,000 employees were subsequently dismissed, while the company’s assets were scheduled for auction in January 2025.
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