NAIROBI – Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered a deeply emotional eulogy during the memorial service for Frank Ireri, the late former Managing Director of Housing Finance Company of Kenya, who passed away from cancer on October 28, 2025, at the age of 63. The service, held in Nairobi, brought together friends, colleagues, and family to honour a man remembered for his wisdom, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to Kenya’s financial sector.
In his address, Uhuru Kenyatta reflected on both Ireri’s life and his own personal experiences over the past year, hinting at the health challenges he has been navigating. His words were filled with gratitude, faith, and reflection, illustrating the profound impact Ireri had on those around him.
“I will miss that counsel. He held our hands and reminded us not to worry — that things would pass. He told us to trust in God and stay steady even in difficult times,” Uhuru Kenyatta said, speaking with evident emotion.
The former president emphasised the importance of mentorship, resilience, and faith, framing Ireri’s passing within a larger reflection on life and mortality.
“Frank is lying here because it is his time. Those of us who still face our challenges will continue fighting, but when God’s time comes, we shall join him — grateful for the life we lived and the moments we shared,” he added.
Uhuru’s tribute offered a window into the support and guidance Ireri provided, not only as a professional colleague but also as a trusted friend and confidant. He described how Ireri’s encouragement helped him navigate both personal and public pressures, noting that his words of comfort often eased the burdens of leadership.
In the days following the memorial, social media speculation surfaced about Uhuru Kenyatta’s own health, with some users claiming he was critically ill. These reports were categorically dismissed by former Jubilee Digital Communications specialist Pauline Njoroge, who called the rumours entirely fictional.
“Someone wakes up, as usual, creates a fictional story, and posts it on social media. But this time, it’s about someone’s health, claiming that the person is critically ill and, in the ICU,” Njoroge stated.
Despite such claims, Uhuru’s remarks during the memorial appeared more reflective than revealing, offering spiritual insights rather than medical details. His mention of “fighting health challenges” was framed in a broader conversation about life, resilience, and trust in God, rather than an explicit disclosure of illness.
Uhuru Kenyatta Pays Emotional Tribute to Frank Ireri, Reflects on Life, Mentorship, and Faith
Frank Ireri, who led Housing Finance Company of Kenya for many years, was widely respected for his strategic leadership and commitment to Kenya’s housing and financial sectors. Colleagues remembered him as a mentor who invested time and care in nurturing talent, and Uhuru’s tribute echoed these sentiments.
“He held our hands,” Uhuru said, recalling how Ireri guided him and others through periods of uncertainty. “He reminded us not to worry. He taught us to trust in God and stay steady, even in difficult times.”
The former president’s words underscored the importance of human connection, guidance, and faith, framing Ireri’s life as an example of service, patience, and mentorship.
Throughout his address, Uhuru balanced grief with gratitude for shared moments, highlighting the spiritual dimension of Ireri’s passing. His reflections were not only personal but also universal, touching on themes of mortality, divine timing, and the value of meaningful relationships.
“Those of us who still face our challenges will continue fighting,” he said. “But when God’s time comes, we shall join him — grateful for the life we lived and the moments we shared.”
These remarks resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom were moved by Uhuru’s candid yet uplifting approach to mourning. The service emphasized faith, resilience, and appreciation for life, presenting Ireri’s legacy as both professional and personal.
The memorial and Uhuru Kenyatta’s tribute sparked conversations across Kenya, drawing attention not only to Ireri’s achievements but also to the broader themes of mentorship, leadership, and coping with life’s uncertainties. Observers noted that while speculation about Uhuru Kenyatta’s health persists, his statements during the service were primarily spiritual and reflective, offering wisdom on life and the importance of trusting God rather than medical disclosures.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s eulogy for Frank Ireri was a poignant reflection on friendship, guidance, and divine timing. Through his words, he honoured a mentor who played a critical role in both his personal and professional life, while also reminding the public of the importance of faith, resilience, and gratitude in the face of life’s uncertainties.
While social media speculation about Uhuru’s health continues, the former president’s message focused on the value of mentorship, the impermanence of life, and the comfort that comes from trust in God. In celebrating Frank Ireri, he offered a powerful lesson in how to navigate loss, honor relationships, and approach life with faith and gratitude.
