Chris Kirubi exits UAP Holdings via sale of stake to Old Mutual
Chris Kirubi. “The investigation involving the accounting practices lowered staff morale, which led to a slump in sales of our goods,” said Mr Kirubi, who owns a 49 per cent stake in the joint venture. FILE PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |
What you need to know:
- Mr Kirubi had in September 2013 made public his intention to increase his ownership in Centum to 30 per cent.
- It is likely that the businessman will use the proceeds from this transaction to increase his stake in the investment firm.
Nairobi businessman Chris Kirubi has sold his entire stake in UAP Holdings to global insurer Old Mutual.
A statement from Centum Investments in which Mr Kirubi holds a 25 per cent stake, on Thursday said the firm was also disposing of its 13.7 per cent shareholding in UAP a member of the Old Mutual Group.
It said the businessman had agreed to sell the 9.5 per cent stake he holds directly.
“When the sale is completed, Old Mutual Holdings will be the holder of 23.33 per cent of the issued shares of UAP Holdings Limited,” the statement read.
Centum has been an investor in UAP Group for over a decade.
“We are pleased to have been able to identify and sell our shares in UAP Group to a strategic investor, Old Mutual Group.
“The sale is in line with Centum’s mission to be Africa’s foremost investment channel by developing investment grade opportunities for other investors.
“Centum will continue developing other investment opportunities and delivering the same to both institutional and retail investors,” Centum chief executive officer James Mworia said.
The transaction comes less than a year after UAP Holdings reduced its stake in Centum by selling 2.9 million shares valued at about Sh187.5 million.
Old Mutual Group is a diversified financial services firm providing investment, savings, life assurance, asset management, banking and property and casualty insurance in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Mr Kirubi had in September 2013 made public his intention to increase his ownership in Centum to 30 per cent.
It is likely that the businessman will use the proceeds from this transaction to increase his stake in the investment firm, which currently stands at 25 per cent.
