Paul Mburu Kinyanjui, the founder of Mbukinya Bus Company, one of Kenya’s longest-serving Public Service Vehicle Companies, has died.
The businessman, who was aged 91, passed away on 19th July 2026. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed by the family.
Limuru Member of Parliament John Kiragu Chege confirmed the death of the businessman, mourning him as a respected elder, entrepreneur and community leader whose impact extended beyond the transport industry.
In a condolence message, the MP sent his sympathies to Mburu Kinyanjui’s family, friends and the wider community, describing him as a man whose life inspired many.
“It is with deep sorrow that I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the entire community following the passing of Paul Mburu Muthumbi (Mbukinya). Paul was a respected elder, a dedicated businessman, a loving family man, and a committed community leader. Above all, he was a faithful believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose life touched and inspired many,” Kiragu said.
For decades, Mbukinya buses became a household name among travelers, particularly those traveling between Nairobi, Western Kenya and Nyanza.
How Paul Mburu Kinyanjui Built the Mbukinya Brand
Paul Mburu Kinyanjui was born and raised in Limuru, Kiambu County, where he developed an early interest in the transport business. As a young student, he often shared his ambition of becoming an investor in Kenya’s transport sector, although some of his peers dismissed the idea due to his humble background.
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After completing his secondary school examinations in 1952, Mburu started a small business selling eggs and chicken in Limuru as he saved money to pursue his dream.
After 11 years, he had accumulated enough savings to enter the transport industry. He purchased his first second-hand bus using KSh3,000 from his savings and an additional KSh5,000 loan.
He initially operated the bus on the Limuru-Nairobi route before later selling it and acquiring a second-hand Mercedes-Benz bus as he expanded his operations.
In a 2014 interview with The Standard, Mburu recalled his early days in the industry, saying: “I was the driver and I had hired a conductor. Since it had now become my full-time business, I got better at it day by day.”
His business grew steadily, and in 1972, he acquired his first new bus, which allowed him to expand into longer-distance routes, including Kisumu and Kakamega.
“With the new bus, I was able to operate for 24 hours, and this grew the business by leaps and bounds. I increased my buses quickly,” he said.
Mbukinya’s Rise into a Household Name in PSV Transport
The Mbukinya brand, whose name was derived from a combination of the family names Mburu and Kinyanjui, eventually became synonymous with long-distance passenger transport in Kenya.
The company expanded into a large PSV fleet, with buses serving routes connecting Nairobi with Western Kenya, Nyanza and other major destinations. It also offered parcel delivery services.
At its peak, Mbukinya operated dozens of buses. By the 1980s, Mburu had grown the fleet to about 48 buses before later reducing operations in the 1990s due to rising insurance costs.
The company later rebuilt its fleet, including the acquisition of 21 Hino buses from Toyota Kenya in 2014.
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Challenges, Family Succession and Final Years
Mbukinya faced challenges over the years, including a dispute involving Hino buses acquired from Toyota Kenya. In 2019, the company returned several buses after they developed mechanical issues, including reported engine failures, overheating problems, brake faults and chassis cracks.
Some of the vehicles had been financed through Tsusho Capital, a subsidiary of Toyota Kenya, while others were financed through CFC Bank. Toyota later took over ownership of the affected buses, repaired them and negotiated their return.
Mburu maintained that the issues had caused significant financial losses to the company.
In his later years, the management of Mbukinya was handed over to his children, who continued running the family business.
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