Kenyan industrialist Naresh Malde dies at 74

Nareshchandra (Naresh) Malde, the founder of Pwani Oil Products Limited and one of Kenya’s most respected industrialists, has died in Mombasa at 74.

The company confirmed his passing on Saturday, October 25, surrounded by family, describing him as “a visionary whose principles and leadership helped shape one of Kenya’s most successful homegrown brands.”

From a modest start to a household name

Born and raised in Mombasa, Malde belonged to a generation of Kenyan entrepreneurs who built enduring businesses from humble beginnings. Alongside his brothers, Ramesh Kanji Malde and the late Anil Hansha, he co-founded Pwani Oil in 1981, starting with a small coconut-oil mill on the coast.

From that modest start, the family expanded into refining corn, sunflower, and palm oil under the Pwani Oil Group name. Over the years, the company grew from a single factory in Jomvu to a fully integrated manufacturer supplying markets across East Africa.

Under Malde’s steady leadership, Pwani Oil became one of the region’s largest producers of edible oils, soaps, and personal-care products. Its brands, including Fresh Fri, Mpishi Poa, Popco, Fry Mate, Sawa, Diva, and Detrex, became fixtures in Kenyan homes and a symbol of trusted local enterprise.

A leader who listened more than he spoke

Within the company, he was affectionately known as “Mr. Naresh,” a reserved but principled leader who led by example and treated people with fairness and respect. Beyond business, he supported education, healthcare, and community initiatives across the coastal region, quietly funding causes close to his heart.

Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala described him as “a visionary entrepreneur whose integrity and hard work made Pwani Oil a source of pride for our region.”

A lasting legacy of resilience

Over four decades, Pwani Oil weathered volatile commodity prices, shifting policies, and strong competition in the consumer goods market. Guided by Malde’s commitment to innovation and prudence, the firm modernized its refineries, diversified into personal care, and adopted renewable energy to improve efficiency.

To many Kenyans, Pwani Oil remains a symbol of what local enterprise can achieve through integrity and resilience. Malde’s legacy endures — a builder who started small, kept his word, and left behind a company that continues to feed, employ, and inspire thousands.