Starehe Boys co-founder Joseph Gikubu passes on

Starehe Boys' Centre co-founder Joseph Kamiru Gikubu died Thursday morning on the way to a city hospital, a family member has confirmed.

The death of the last surviving founder draws curtain to an era that has culminated in a globally-acclaimed institution for its sterling performance and uplifting lives of the poor.

Mr Gikubu died at the age of 80 as he was rushed to Nairobi Hospital at 4am, after developing breathing difficulties according to her daughter.

“We did not even reach the hospital. By the time we reached there he had died,” said Ms Gina Gikubu through a phone interview.

The long-serving school director started having health complications last November and has been in and out of hospital.

Mr Gikubu, who is said to have fought in the Mau Mau rebellion during Kenya's struggle for independence, is survived by five children and eight grandchildren.

Starehe Boys’ was founded by Dr Geoffrey William Griffin alongside Mr Gikubu and Geoffrey Geturo in 1959.

Dr Griffin succumbed to cancer in 2005 aged 72, while Mr Geturo died in 1990.

The school administration and family members are holding a meeting for funeral arrangements and were later expected to break the news to the students.

Tributes continued to flow in social media, mainly from old boys of the school.

‏"Sad hearing about the passing of Starehe Boys' Co-Founder, Joseph Gikubu. We owe him such a debt of gratitude. 11298 - PatShaw/Geturo
@Yenyewe

"I mourn. I cry. I hurt. I also celebrate the life of Joseph Kamiru Gikubu..son of Mau Mau, child prisoner Manyani Camp, Founder Starehe Boys
@RonnieOsumba

"Rest in peace Mr. Gikubu. You were an epic human being.
Jeremy Jiraiya Kithom

"R.I.P Mr. Gikubu. You ran a good race
Natalie M Ndunda"

Starehe Boys started from three tin huts which stand at the school’s compound to date.

The sister school, Starehe Girls’ Centre, was launched in 2005, before Dr Griffin’s death.

Since its inception, more than 12,000 students have gone through the institution.