Industrialist Manu Chandaria’s home raided by robbers

Businessman Dr Manu Chandaria. [File, Standard]

Police in Nairobi are investigating the raiding of industrialist and philanthropist  Dr Manu Chandaria's home Sunday night. 

A police report from Muthaiga Police Station notes the businessman and his wife heard a loud bang at the main door and immediately rang the security personnel but his call went unanswered. After that, the couple saw two thugs—one carrying a pistol and the other carrying a metal cutter.

“They ordered the reportee [sic] and his wife to give them money at gunpoint. He showed them the safe where they broke it and took away an unknown amount of money and some pieces of jewellery. They then left the house while firing using a G3 rifle,” reads part of the report.

The robbers are said to have overpowered an Administration Police (AP) officer who was among those guarding home after which they took his G3 rifle.

The police said the gang members escaped to the neighbouring Karura forest albeit with gun injuries.

Three people have been arrested as investigations into the incident commences. They include Jared Makambe, a guard who was taking care of the security at the home during the incident. The other two are Stephen Omwega and Judah Wafula.

Such attacks are rare in the well-appointed address that is home to who-is-who in Kenya including former President Mwai Kibaki, Charles Njonjo, businessman Jimmy Wanjigi, and numerous ambassadors among others.

Nairobi police boss Rashid Yakub said they are pursuing the attackers. The Ap's was later found in a thicket near the home.

Philanthropist Dr Chandaria leads a simple life and has a keen interest in social issues and healthcare. For instance, in the video clip embedded below, he donated Sh6 million to support Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital to set up facilities for cancer treatment in 2014.

In an interview with African Philanthropy Forum, Chandaria said he remembers one critical philosophy he learnt from Mahatma Gandhi that set him to the path of philanthropy: “The wealth that you have is not yours. You are only the trustee of the wealth you have”.

But far from the business, Chandaria’s goal was to start a foundation that would be a deliberate effort to do good for his community. According to sources at Comcraft Group, the business mogul has given away more than Sh11 billion in his lifetime to causes such as children’s health and education - money that could fund Mombasa County health budget for three years.

His philanthropic work has been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II, who conferred Dr Chandaria with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003, and was later bestowed the Elder of the Burning Spear by retired president Mwai Kibaki in 2007.

Dr. Chandaria has been quoted saying that “To be a successful human being, it is not enough to be a professional success; you have to share and care. To share and care for your family is natural, but you have to share and care beyond your family.”

More to follow...