Pioneer Henry Mulli was the first Kenyan from Ukambani to go to university

Henry Nzioka Mulli (1927–2015) was a Kenyan diplomat who served as ambassador to various countries around the world.

Mulli was among the first two people in Ukambani privileged to gain access to a university education. He studied at Makerere University and then continued further studies at Fort Hare University in South Africa and later at Oxford University, UK, where he took 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 of the Machakos District (now County) Legislative Council and served as Deputy Minister of Defense after independence.

Mulli was Kenya‘s first ambassador to China (1964-1965) and Egypt (1966-1967). He was later deployed in the same capacity to Somalia and then to Germany (1970-1973), Paris, France (1974-1976) and also as Kenya’s representative at the Vatican. He was also Chairman of Leyland Motors Ltd in 1976 and later held the same position at the Cooperative Bank of Kenya between 1992 and 1993.

man of many firsts

Ambassador Henry Mulli was a man of many firsts; He was a dedicated patriot who served the country with the utmost care and dedication. Prior to his appointment as ambassador, Mulli had also worked as a middle school principal, district official, senior district commissioner, provincial administrator and regional government agent in Mombasa.

It was his resilience, zeal, dedication and excellence that got him promoted many times. He initiated various development projects at his homes in Machakos, including schools (there are many academies named after him), roads, boreholes, markets and more.

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

However, Mulli’s children have long been engaged in a bitter succession battle over his possessions and vast estates.