Mbukinya founder dies: Inside remarkable life and legacy of Paul Mburu Kinyanjui
By Valerian Khakayi, July 24, 2026The death of Paul Mburu Kinyanjui, the founder of the iconic Mbukinya Bus Company, has marked the end of an era in Kenya’s public transport industry.
For decades, Mbukinya buses were more than just a means of transport. They became a trusted companion for thousands of passengers travelling between Nairobi and Western Kenya, with generations of families relying on the company for safe, reliable and affordable journeys.
From humble beginnings as an egg vendor in Limuru to building one of Kenya’s most recognisable long-distance bus companies, Kinyanjui’s story is one of resilience, determination and entrepreneurial vision.
He died at the age of 91 after a lifetime that transformed Kenya’s PSV industry.
From selling eggs to owning buses
Born and raised in Limuru, Kiambu County, Kinyanjui developed an interest in business from an early age.
While still in secondary school, he reportedly told his classmates that he wanted to venture into the transport industry, an ambition that many dismissed because of his modest background.
After completing his secondary education in 1952, he began selling eggs and chickens to save enough money to invest in his dream. For more than a decade, he worked tirelessly before finally raising enough capital to buy his first second-hand bus.
The purchase was made possible through a combination of Ksh3,000 in personal savings and a Ksh5,000 loan, marking the beginning of what would become one of Kenya’s most respected transport businesses.
How he built Mbukinya
The name Mbukinya was derived from a combination of Mburu and Kinyanjui, reflecting the founder’s family name.
Speaking during a past interview with a local media house, Mburu said that he initially operated the bus on the Limuru-Nairobi route before later selling it and acquiring a second-hand Mercedes-Benz bus as he expanded his operations.
He recalled how he was the driver and hired a conductor to help him.
“I was the driver, and I had hired a conductor. Since it had now become my full-time business, I got better at it day by day,” Mburu said in 2014.
His business grew steadily, and in 1972, he acquired his first new bus, which allowed him to expand into longer-distance routes, including Kisumu and Kakamega.
“With the new bus, I was able to operate for 24 hours, and this grew the business by leaps and bounds. I increased my buses quickly,” he said.
The rise of Mbukinya
By the 1980s, Mburu had grown the fleet to about 48 buses; the company expanded into a large PSV fleet, with buses serving routes connecting Nairobi with Western Kenya, Nyanza and other major destinations.
It also offered parcel delivery services.
At its peak, Mbukinya operated dozens of buses and became one of Kenya’s most recognised PSV brands, with many travellers fondly recalling the company’s comfortable overnight journeys and professional crews.
Passing the baton
As he advanced in age, Kinyanjui gradually handed over the day-to-day management of the company to his children, ensuring the family business continued under the next generation’s leadership.
His commitment to building a lasting enterprise enabled Mbukinya to remain one of the country’s oldest surviving long-distance bus operators.
A legacy that will endure
Paul Mburu Kinyanjui leaves behind more than a transport company.
He leaves a legacy of entrepreneurship built from humble beginnings, proving that determination, patience and hard work can turn a small business into a nationally recognised brand.
For countless Kenyans, the sight of a Mbukinya bus will continue to evoke memories of family reunions, festive holiday travel and the golden era of long-distance road transport, a lasting reminder of the man whose vision helped shape Kenya’s PSV industry.