Mombasa Cement owner Hasmukh Kanji Patel is dead

Philanthropist and Mombasa business mogul Hasmukh Kanji Patel has passed on.

Patel is the owner of Mombasa Cement and has been running several charity projects in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.

Tudor MCA Samir Bhalooo, who spoke on behalf of the family, officially broke the news to the public at the Pandya Memorial Hospital where Patel's body was taken for preservation ahead of burial rites.

"It is very sad this day to announce the death of Mr Hasmukh Kanji Patel. The CEO of Mombasa Cement has left us," Bhaloo said.

He said Patel, 58, died at around 1 pm.

"We will update on the funeral arrangements after we consult with the family members," Bhaloo said.

He was not hospitalized, according to Bhaloo.

He said Patel was at home and not unwell, making his sudden death even more shocking.

"He had a stomachache. It is God's work. Let's pray for him," he said.

Patel was running several charity projects in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties that benefitted hundreds of thousands of residents in the three counties.

He was running a feeding program at the Kibarani Miracle Park, which he helped rejuvenate from a dumpsite on orders of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The program was feeding at least 40,000 people daily.

He was also running a hospital program at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital where patients who fail to pay their bills have them paid for by the company.

Relatives who cannot afford to buy decent coffins for their lost loved ones ran to him for help and he catered for their transportation to various parts of the country.

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir in a tweet Thursday afternoon mourned his death.

"We have learnt with sadness the passing of businessman Hasmukh Patel of Mombasa Cement Limited in Mombasa," tweeted Nassir

He said Patel will be remembered for his active participation in societal affairs in Mombasa as well as his generous support for the underprivileged.

"I take this opportunity on behalf of the county government of Mombasa to offer deepest condolences to the family of the departed," Nassir said.