Ishwar Rughani, a director of Text Book Centre and associated with Sarit Centre, has died at the age of 83. According to a family announcement on June 9, Ishwar Rughani passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Rughani was a prominent figure in Kenya’s business community and was based in Nairobi.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sad demise of Ishwar J. Rughani of Text Book Centre and The Sarit Centre, on Sunday, 7th June 2026, at the age of 83 years,” the family stated.
He was widely known through his association with Text Book Centre, one of Kenya’s leading booksellers, and Sarit Centre, one of the country’s best-known shopping malls.
Family Details On Ishwar Rughani Send Off
The family announced that final respects will be held at Jain Bhavan in Loresho on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Further, they stated that the cortege will depart from Jain Bhavan at 11:30 a.m. for cremation at the Hindu Shamshan Bhumi in Kariokor at 12:00 noon.
A prayer meeting is also scheduled for Jain Bhavan, Loresho, on the evening of June 10, 2026. The family has invited friends and well-wishers to send their condolences following his passing.
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“Final respects will be held at Jain Bhavan (Loresho) on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The cortege will leave Jain Bhavan (Loresho) at 11:30 AM for cremation at 12:00 noon at the Hindu Shamshan Bhumi (Kariokor). A prayer meeting will be held at Jain Bhavan (Loresho) on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 at 7:30 PM. Condolences may be sent to [email protected] OM,” the Ishwar Rughani family detailed.
How Ishwar Rughani Is Linked to Ownership Of Sarit and Textbook Center
The late Ishwar Rughani was part of the Rughani family, one of the two business families behind the establishment and growth of Text Book Centre and Sarit Centre in Kenya.
His family’s involvement in the education and retail sectors dates back to the early 1960s when the Rughanis operated the Rughani Bookshop in Karatina.
They later partnered with the Vidhu Shah family, which ran a bookshop in Murang’a, to capitalize on the growing demand for educational materials following Kenya’s independence.
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The partnership led to the establishment of Text Book Centre in 1964, which grew into one of Kenya’s leading booksellers and educational supplies companies. Ishwar Rughani later served as a director of the company, maintaining the family’s direct involvement in its operations.
The Rughani and Vidhu Shah families subsequently expanded into property development and retail through several ventures, including Soma Group, Soma Properties and Sarit Centre. The iconic Westlands shopping mall was developed by the families and officially opened in 1983.
Through these shared business interests, the Rughani family became one of the principal owners of both Text Book Centre and Sarit Centre. Ishwar Rughani’s position as a director at Text Book Centre placed him among the key family members associated with the management and ownership of the businesses.
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