By Prudence Minayo
In a world filled with violence, depression and poverty, kind people are the greatest treasure and Dr. Charles Mutua Mulli is one such person. He has helped provide a home and education for thousands of underprivileged children in Kenya. Mulli founded group of homes and schools which has helped better the lives of thousands of children over the decades. Having been born in an impoverished background, he definitely understands what children from such backgrounds go through.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Age
Dr. Charles Mutua Mulli was born in 1949 in Kangundo.
Background
Mulli was born to David Kaleli and Rhoda Mukina. When he was only 6-years-old, his parents abandoned him as they went in search for a better life. In his formative years all he knew was poverty. He got a chance to go to primary school but did not go on with his education after that due to lack of funds. Through the help of well wishers, he was at least able to attend Kathithyamaa Primary School where he completed in 1966. He gave his life to Christ when he was 17-years-old.
Employment/Career
With only his primary certificate in hand, Mulli went to search for a job. He tried to get into the military but he did not make the cut. This did not deter him.
The then young man walked for miles to Nairobi to get employment. In 1967, he got a job in a private Asian home where he diligently did the chores assigned to him, mostly domestic duties. After a year, he got promoted and was transferred to Kakuzi farm in Thika.
In 1970, he started working for a German construction company where he was in charge of supplies. After saving enough, he bought a car which he converted to a taxi that operated between Eldoret and Nakuru and he also ventured into the agricultural business. The taxi he had bought gave rise to other taxis and he developed a travel company named Mullyways which operated a fleet of vehicles.
In the 1970s, he amassed wealth amounting to millions of Kenyan shillings, ventured into other businesses and was a board chairman for several international schools in Kenya, a role he played until the early 1990s.
In the late 1980s he ventured into charity.
Marriage
In the 1970s, he married Esther Nthenya and they are blessed with eight biological children.
Philanthropy
In the 1980s, he ventured into charity and founded Mully Children’s Family (MCF), a charity he operates to date. In a December 2018 interview with Betty Kyallo on K24’s then Upclose segment, he revealed that the organization at the time had 3,500 children with branches in other parts of the country. He was asked the most touching story involving the children and he recounted meeting one of them in the early 2000s.
A drunk led him to a place where he found a young emaciated girl who was naked and looked almost like a skeleton. He had to take off his shirt to cover her as they rushed her to a hospital in Eldoret since they were in Kitale.
Today, the girl has grown and immensely improved but the doctors told him back then if he has delayed even for a bit, she could have been no more. The main branch of MCF in Machakos which is home to about 750 children. The organization caters for all the children’s needs including educating them.
Due to his charity works, he has been the recipient of several awards:
- The Robert W. Pierce Award in 1999
- World Vision International, Angel of Hope in 2002
- The Jubilee Insurance Company Samaritan’s Award in 2007
- Med Assets International USA in 2008
- Head of State Commendation of Kenya in 2009
- The United Nations Environmental Program in 2010
- Family Philanthropy Award in 2012
- An Education Award at the Transform Kenya Awards in 2014
Mr. Mulli has also been awarded two honorary doctorate degrees
- An honorary doctorate in humanities by the United Graduate College and Seminary In 2009
- An honorary doctorate in Social Work from Kabarak University in 2011.
The born again philanthropist has also authored a few books including My Journey of Faith. He is also the focus of a 2014 documentary titled Mully which was documented by Scott Haze, Lukas Behnken and Elissa Shay and was funded by Bardis productions. The film and his books are available on Amazon.
