By Nyabuti Jael
In a sombre announcement, Family Bank has revealed the untimely passing on of their newly appointed Board Chairman, Francis Gitau Mungai, just three weeks after stepping into the role previously held by Wilfred Kiboro.
‘’We regret to inform you of the passing of our Chairman Architect Francis Gitau Mungai. May his soul rest in eternal peace,’’ read the notice in part.
Francis Mungai tragically passed on while receiving treatment in the United States.
His death is a significant loss not only to Family Bank but to the entire architectural and business community.
Francis Gitau Mungai was not just a new appointee but a longstanding and respected figure within Family Bank since he had been a dedicated supporter of the bank since 1996, both as a customer and a professional consultant.
Architect Francis Gitau Mungai has been a steadfast pillar of Family Bank since 2016, serving as Vice Chairman for the past two years before his recent appointment as Chairman.
His elevation at Family Bank was marked by his deep commitment to governance and strategic development.
He chaired the Board Credit Committee, the Board Human Resource Committee and was an influential member of the Nominations and Governance Committee.
Additionally, He also played a critical role in the bank’s digital expansion as a Director of Pesa Pap Digital, a subsidiary of Family Bank Limited playing pivotal in steering the bank’s digital transformation initiatives and innovation.
His expertise and guidance were instrumental in the bank’s growth and development over the years. His colleagues remember him for his visionary leadership and his unwavering dedication to the institution’s success.
“He made invaluable contributions to the growth of the Bank, and he will be missed immensely by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of the entire Family Bank fraternity, we would like to convey our sincere and most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the architectural community during this difficult period,” the board added.
Francis Mungai was also an esteemed architect with over three decades of experience, Mungai co-founded Aaki Consultants, a leading firm specializing in architecture and urban design.
His academic credentials were impressive, holding a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Bachelor of Architecture degree with First-Class Honors from the University of Nairobi.
His professional journey also included significant leadership roles at Triad Architects in Nairobi and Urban Innovation Group (UIG) in Los Angeles.
He was a Fellow of the Architectural Association of Kenya (FAAK) and was registered by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya.
As the bank mourns his passing, it remains committed to honouring Mungai’s legacy and the path he charted for future success.
His contributions to Family Bank and the architectural field have left an indelible mark that will be remembered and cherished for years to come.