Henry Nzioka Mulli: First Kamba man to step into university

Henry Nzioka Mulli (1927 -2015) was a Kenyan diplomat who served in the position of ambassador in different countries around the world.

Mulli was among the first two people in Ukambani who had the privilege to access university education. He studied at Makerere University then pursued further studies at Fort Hare University in South Africa and later Oxford University, United Kingdom where he did a course in public administration.

The other man was Fredrick Mbiti Mati, the first and longest-serving Kenyan speaker. He was one of the first two representatives to the Legislative Council from Machakos District (now county) and served as the Assistant Minister for Defense after independence.

Mulli was Kenya's First Ambassador to China (1964-1965) and Egypt (1966-1967). He was later posted to Somalia in the same capacity and then Germany (1970-1973), Paris, France (1974-1976) and also as Kenya's representative to the Vatican. He also served as the chairman of Leyland Motors Ltd in 1976 and later the same position at the Cooperative Bank of Kenya between 1992-1993.

Man of many firsts

Amb Henry Mulli was a man of many firsts; he was a committed patriot who served the country with utmost diligence and devotion. Prior to his ambassadorial appointments, Mulli had also worked as a headmaster in Intermediate Schools, District Officer, Senior District Commissioner, Provincial Administrator and Regional Government Agent in Mombasa.

It was his resilience, zeal, commitment, and excellence that saw him get promoted many times. He initiated various development projects at his Machakos homes including schools ( there are many academies named after him), roads, boreholes, markets among others.

He was the husband to three wives; the late Doris Mulli, Benadatte Mulli and Anna Mulli. He died in July 5, 2015 due to old age. He was survived by his children, Dr James Mulli (Germany), Late Col Victor Mulli, Moses Mulli (Kenya), Carol Veronica Mulli of Baltimore MD, Peter Harrison Mulli (Kenya) among others.

However, Mulli's children have for a long time been protracted in a fierce succession battle involving his properties and vast estates.