Obituary

Hannington Juma Eulogised as a Man of Rare Integrity

Hannington Raburu Juma died after a tragic fall at the Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu.

Updated on

November 7, 2025

The late Hannington Juma, MD, Gogni Rajope Construction Co. Limited. (Photos: Courtesy)

The death of Hannington Raburu Juma, managing director of Gogni Rajope Construction Co. Ltd., has cast a sombre cloud over Kenya’s engineering fraternity, with tributes pouring in from across the country.

Juma, who died on Thursday last week after a tragic fall at the Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu, has been described as a “true professional” and “pillar of integrity.”

The 67-year-old engineer reportedly drove to the mall at around 8 a.m., parked his white Toyota Land Cruiser V8, and headed to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices.

Kisumu Central Deputy Police Commander Bakari Mwanauli confirmed that Juma “left his vehicle keys with a security guard and instructed that his son should come for the car”. He then “proceeded to the second floor, where the KRA offices are, before throwing himself down.”

The tragedy triggered widespread speculation on social media, with unverified reports claiming that Raburu faced a Sh300 million tax assessment linked to his company, Gogni Rajope Construction Co. Ltd., a major player in Kenya’s civil engineering sector.

However, the taxman swiftly dismissed those reports as inaccurate, adding that the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities and that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

An officer at KRA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also termed the online claims as “inaccurate and misleading,” emphasising that no such tax demand had been issued.

As the engineering industry comes to terms with his loss, friends and colleagues have eulogised Raburu for his integrity, leadership, and impact on the profession.

The Roads and Civil Engineering Contractors Association (RACECA) described his death as a devastating loss to both the profession and the community he served.

“Eng. Juma was a founding member of RACECA and remained a distinguished member until his recent demise. He has served with dedication as Assistant Treasurer since 2008,” the association said.

RACECA praised him for building a remarkable legacy in Kenya’s engineering and construction sector through his leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

He was further eulogised not only as a leader but also as a mentor and friend.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Eng. Juma will be remembered for the warmth he brought to every interaction, his generous mentorship, and the positive influence he had on all who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the statement continued.

Colleagues have also described him as a man of rare integrity — one who believed in ethical practice: “Eng. Juma was a man of integrity. He had an exceptional loathing for corruption and did not shy from standing up for the truth no matter the cost.”

Born in 1958, Juma was a highly accomplished civil engineer whose career reflected both technical expertise and professional integrity. He held a degree in civil engineering and was a consulting engineer, a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, and a certified arbitrator.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Akech Juma, and two children, Harry and Justus.