THOUSANDS OF MOURNERS AT THE BURIAL OF FORMER SONYSUGAR MANAGING DIRECTOR AT HIS NYAMIRA HOME IN BONDO DISTRICT.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Bondo Town.
THOUSANDS of grief stricken mourners converged in Nyamira village, Central Sakwa, Bondo district over the weekend for the burial of the former SONYSUGASR managing Director.
Ambrose James Otieno, 60 died suddenly in Kisumu two week ago after short illness. He had fallen ill and was rushed to the Aga Khan Hospital by his wife Debora Otieno for treatment. He later passed away.
Born on 13th January, 1950, in Kenya’s coastal City of Mombasa, the late Ambrose was the third son in a family of nine children, who include seven brothers and two sisters.
He attended Makuma HGM primary and intermediate school in Mombasa, where he sat for KAPE in 1963, and proceeded to St. George Secondary School in Giriama, where he sat and passed his Cambridge School Certificate, and obtained a division one in 1967.
While learning at St. George he excelled in sports, particularly table tennis and basketball, where he was the team captain. He then joined the Strathmore college in Nairobi for his “A” levels, and obtained sufficient marks for admission to the University of Nairobi. After only one year at the University, Ambrose won the Indian Government scholarship to study a degree course in technology, at the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay {Mumbai}.
Upon his return, Ambrose joined the SONYSUGAR as a trainee manager, and rose through the ranks to become the factory manager, production Manager and finally the Managing Director, the post where he was forced out prematurely in 2006, while he was on the way to turning the financially strapped government owned sugar company to profit making. Many observers saw his dismissal as “malicious dismissal with political overtone”.
Ambrose departure from SONYSUGAR left a management leadership vacuum, which is yet to be sorted out to-date.
Among the mourners were the Bondo M,P Dr Oburu Oginga, whose parents home, Kang’o Nyamira Ka-Jaramogi is only a stone throw away, former cabinet Minister George Ochillo Ayacko, and many leading personalities and professionals from a cross-section of Luo-Nyanza..
Speaker after speakers heaped a lot of praise on Ambrose Otieno for his selflessness, simplicity and generosity kind. They said the former MD helped a lot of people in his own community and beyond. He was a hardworking man and an achiever who preferred to see everything that comes across him done in the finest finishing touches and was humble to everybody.
Many farmers within Awendo and its environs still remember Ambrose as the manager who was readily ever willing to sit down with farmers and listen to their grievances. He used to call for public Baraza, during which time, farmers and top managers at the facility would exchange views in an open atmosphere. His former workmate described him as a down to earth and workaholic man.
He is survived by his wife Debora Otieno and two teenage daughters, Catherine and Dorothy, and his parents, Mzee Lawrence Joseph Wanjira and Mama Leonida Nyawanda Andiwo.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
My sincere condolence to Debora and the children. Ambrose was my cousin. An affable and deeply likeable person. Death has robed us of a very able technocrat in his prime. May the good Lord keep his soul in eternal peace.
For the record Ambrose is not surved by his parents. Nyawanda nyaNdiwo died when Ambrose and Monica were toddlers. Lawrende died just about six years ago.
To Alex, Dennis and Monica we feel your pain. May God give you strength to deal with the loss.
Amen.
Thank you so much. It was indeed a very sad and emotional send-off we had for Ambrose. May his soul rest in peace.
Monica
I am deeply saddened and shocked to read about this. We remember Ambrose from his IIT days – and the great competitor that he was in the basketball court. It was a pleasure to have him on your side, and always a concern when he played on the other team (e.g. in Inter Hostel matches). We too remember his passion for the game, and his very friendly nature off the court. We were lucky to know him from our school days, when we went over and played in the IIT Gym, and then also as a student in IIT.
Our condolences to his family.
Pratim Biswas
Class of 1980
IIT Bombay
I was totally shocked to hear about the sad news from Pratim. I was hoping that he had made a mistake somewhere, and it was some other person. Unfortunately, after I read the details on this site, I had to come to terms with it.
I was in touch with Ambrose till as recenntly as less than two years back when I last spoke to him on the phone. And in the couple of years before that, I had the privilege to meet Ambrose and his wife in Bombay when they had visited. Also, on an earlier trip, he had come home to meet my family, and we all felt so privileged to meet him here in Bombay.
How I wish, I had taken up the invitation extended by him to my family to go for a holiday to Kenya and have the opportunity to enjoy his hospitality.
My heart goes out to the grieving family and may the Almighty give them the strength and the courage to bear this irreparable loss.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
~ Ashwin Doshi
in Mumbai (Bombay), India
Cell: 91-98690-3455
ashwindoshi[at]gmail.com
It was a great shock to read this very very sad news. I have such fond memories of shared moments arising from our love of Basketball in IIT, Bombay for 5 years when our studies overlapped. I played with Ambrose in the Hostel-6 team and in the IIT team in all those 5 years. We travelled together as teammates to all the other 4 IITs, to Baroda and Pune for Western Region matches, to Karur, Maduari, Coimbatore for various regional national tournaments thus covering all parts of India. We would also play numerous matches and tournaments in different parts of Bombay on a regular basis. Ambrose, without exaggeration, was the most popular member of the team, an inspiration in the court and a great friend and a wonderful company outside the court.
While he excelled in all types of sports and athletics, there was so much more to his interests. He worked hard, played hard and was thoroughly admired by friends and colleagues for his sincerity, integrity and good-humour. While Ambrose was very fair-minded, he did not suffer callous behaviour and bigotry lightly and would deal with such matters head-on with 100% assurance of support from his numerous friends and supportes in IIT.
I always remember with fondness those wonderful years at IIT Bombay with Ambrose.
I knew Ambrose when I was a fresher. He passed out after that. I still remember his tall & athletic figure. He was a role model for all aspiring body builders. He could do push-ups with one hand. Once he was visited by his friends from Kenya and we were surprised to find him shortest among them!
May his soul rest in peace & may God give strength to his family to bear the loss.
I knew Ambrose during his IIT Bombay days. He was a wonderful man who snlightened all our lives. He was full of energy and a terrific basketball player. We all extend our condolonces to his family.
Adil
Heartfelt condolences to the family. I was with him during his initial days at IIT and it was great to have a friend like him on your side.
Although I lost touch with him later, I cannot forget our friendship over the two years we spent together at H-6 IIT
The news of the demise of Mr. Ambrose have come as a great shock to me. My interaction with him had been close both in the academic scene and sporting arena. He had a dominating presence in the sports field whether it was basket ball or athletics. He played the game with great intensity and passion and provided the inspiration for his team mates to give of their best. Though he played the game hard, his sportsmanship had won him admirers both with in the team as well as the opposition. As far as IIT sports scene was concerned, he was an undisputed Hall of Famer. His departure from IITB left a huge vacuum in the sports arena.
It was my privilege to be part of the IIT Student’s Gymkhana when we had distinguished sportsmen like Ambrose making Gymkhana a vibrant student body. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and may his soul rest in peace
K.P.Madhavan
! April 2010
This is very sad news. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.
I have very fond memories of Ambrose, playing soccer with him for H6. The man was like a gazelle on the tracks, leaving everyone else behind breathing his dust.
More than anything else, I remember his broad smile every time I saw him in the mess hall or anywhere else.
To me, Ambrose and Pappani were the gentle giants of H6.
May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to his grieving family.
–Achinta Mitra
IIT B, Class of ’80
H6
Though no words can ease your sorrow, please allow me to express my condolences. Like many of the posters here, I knew Ambrose in Hostel Six, IIT-Bombay, between 1973 and 1975. He and I did not play any sports together, but we did have many conversations about society and culture. I am sorry I lost touch with him after 1975, but am glad to learn a bit about his life in Kenya from this blog. My thoughts are with his wife and daughters.
– Sunil Sanghavi
ssanghavi[at]gmail.com
I remember Ambrose on the basketball court motivating his team mates and playing with great intensity till the final whistle. I also remember his deep laugh when he would use some of the Hindi words he had learned.
My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Ambrose and may his soul rest in peace.
Arun
I am deeply saddened by the news of Ambrose’s passing away. I knew him from Hostel 6 at IIT Bombay. My interaction with Ambrose was in the hostel gym. Inspite of the heavy workload, he used to be a regular at the gym. What impressed me was his helping nature. He used to give me and my friends work-out tips, techniques, sequencing etc. We were in our first semester at the hostel, and he could have easily told us off from the gym, but instead patiently taught us. He used to chat about his family, and he told us that he had a large family, and he at 6’3″ was among the shortest!
My condolences are with his family, and we are proud that he continued to lead a selfless life. May his soul rest in peace.
-Anand Desai
H6, IIT Bombay
aydesai.mail@gmail.com
It is sad indeed to know this. He was a true athlete, excellent basketball player and did all Hostel 6 members proud whenever he represented either our hostel or our institute at various tournaments. The last I had seen him was in Pune (after our graduation from IIT). Me and my family offer our deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
This is very sad news. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Debora Otieno , Catherine and Dorothy may God give you the strength and courage to bear this loss.
I feel sorry that I lost touch with him after college. I am proud to hear of his achievements over the years.
If you are planning to come to India at any point , please feel free to reach out to me & it will be my privilege to host you.
Revathi Kasturi 1980 batch
Goodbye, Ambrose, old buddy. Your friends from IIT Bombay will always remember you with love.
I was truly sad when learned about Ambrose’s passing away. I knew him when i lived in H6. In addition to his of athletic accomplishments, I remember him as an “humble” person. He was tall, strong but he was gentle and caring in his approach and thoughts.
His family should be proud of his accomplishment and willingness to serve others. I offer my deepest condolences to his family.
Santosh Sarawgi
H6 IIT Bombay
I am so sorry to hear this sad news.
Ambrose was in my batch at IIT Bombay, but I did not get a chance to be close friends with him as we were in different departments. Nevertheless, we met frequently at the gymkhana and on several trips for inter-IIT sports meets. Every memory I have of Ambrose is tinged with admiration for him – certainly as an athlete, but mostly as a quiet, fair, humble and empathetic person – rare qualities at that age.
I deeply regret that I did not get to know him better.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Uday Nadkarni
IITB, 1978
It was a shock to learn about Ambrose’s sudden passing away. Ambrose was one of H-6’s most prominent sportsmen and we used to admire his abilities and cheer him at every sports event whenever he represented our hostel. He was very unassuming and a thorough gentleman. May his soul rest in peace.
It was a shock to learn that Ambrose passed away so soon. I met him only a few times but remember him as a very warm, friendly and caring person. He was easy to get along with and was friendly with everyone. In this sadness it was great to learn of his great accomplishments in life, not only as a sportsman in college, but later as an accomplished business leader. His family should be proud of a life well lived. My deepest condolences to the family.
It was a shock to learn about Ambrose’s sudden passing away. I remember him during our H6 days. He was not only a prominent sportsmen but very humble and always ready to help. I still remember the interwing matches we played together.
I deeply regret not to be in touch after college.
My deepest condolences to the family.
May his soul rest in peace.
Ambrose was a dear friend, and will be sorely missed. RIP dear Ambrose. My condolences and prayers to the family
Ambrose was a phenomenal guy – and a spectacular sportsman!
We used to sometimes go running around the campus, or go into the weight room in H6 and watch his training sessions – and his agility and strength was so apparent! I remeber that once he had some visiting friends, including a guy being part of royalty or something and I took all of them along to my home in bombay (when it was called that!). even my parents were surprised to see that one of ambrose’s friend had 3 diamond earings (this was in 1975 )
Loved by all, Ambrose was a thorough gentleman – and was always a pleasure to interact with. I used to often like to sit next to him in the H6 dining room because he was filled with stories and genorosity and praise…. a true sportsman in real life – as he was on the field.
Gautam
Many IITians have fondly remembered Ambrose through this Blog!
I wish to inform everyone that IITB Alumni basketball fraternity is trying to have its annual basketball match in the fond memory of Ambrose. Since the last 5 years we have been organising a basketball match on IITB campus involving Alumni and the IITB steudents basketball team. This year on 9th October 2010 (Saturday), we will be having the sixth annual match of this series. I have suggested instituting a rolling trophy in the memory of Ambrose, and in a way formalising this annual event that we have. We have already put up a proposal to the IITB authorities to approve this event formally and have a befitting trophy in the name of Ambrose. I am sure many of us would be happy to learn about this event.
~ Ashwin Doshi
Cell: +91-98690-34055
ashwindoshi[at]gmail
For all who have remembered my husband with these very kind words,i thank you very much,you have preciously described Ambrose as he was,i feel very sad that some people did not understand him,but i thank God for Ambrose,he was a wonderful man ,a loving Husband , a caring father and above all a God fearing man.
Am glad to hear that you wish to institute a trophy in memory of Ambrose the great sports man,i sincerely feel he deserves it even in death.I would be very glad to be part of this event.
Ambrose passed away? Can’t be. This guy was meant to go on and on. Ambrose and Papani were our role models, our out of the world heroes. What must have done in Amby was the shoddy treatment at the organization for which he did so much. Sooner or later, we will all catch up with you, mate. We will go down memory lane then.
Ashwin , will you kindly give an update on the trophy and did Debrah make it to the event?
Vinay: There have been a few changes and I have been in touch with the IITB authorities about this. We are trying to get them to name the Best Sportsman of IITB awarded as a rolling trophy every year to the most outstanding sports person during the academic year.
This trophy would be more prestigious, and it would be appropriate to name it after our dear friend, Ambrose.
Since this is an official trophy of the Students’ Gymkhana, the due approvals will be needed by the Sports Committee of the Gymkhana. This committee is headed by Prof. Gopalan, Dean Students’ Affairs.
It would be good if we could all write to him to express out sentiments and in effect speed up the process.
You could address the message to the Dean, or to the Students’ Gymkhana Sports Committee, IIT Bombay, and send me the message at my email id.
I will forard them appropriately to them and also to the Alumni Office of IIT Bombay who would push the matter further.
Cheers,
Ashwin Doshi
ashwindoshi[at]gmail
Friends: Just last week, I have been informed that the Best Sportsperson of the Year trophy of IIT Bombay has been now named after Ambrose. I do not know the other formalities, but the IITB Gymkhana authorities did want a small write-up on Ambrose. Do write to me on that.
I will try to keep you updated of further news.
Cheers,
Ashwin Doshi
ashwindoshi[at]gmail
I was deeply grieved to hear today of the passing away of Ambrose. Ambrose was my hostel mate and friend. Still remember his open hearted laugh, coming straight from his heart.
I am not surprised that he was a kind, just and efficient administrator. He as a kind, just human with no malice in him.
Deepest sympathies to his wife and daughters. I am grateful that your husband’s/ father’s life touched mine.
Gopi