Kenya has lost one of its quiet business giants. Nareshchandra Malde founder of Pwani Oil Products Limited. He passed away on Saturday, October 25, in Mombasa, at the age of 74.
Malde, whose name became synonymous with some of Kenya’s most trusted household brands, died surrounded by his family.
His company confirmed the news, describing him as “a visionary whose honesty, humility, and leadership built one of the country’s strongest homegrown brands.”
Together with his brothers Ramesh Kanji Malde and the late Anil Hansha, Malde started Pwani Oil in 1981. What began as a small coconut oil mill along the Coast slowly grew into a manufacturing powerhouse producing popular products like Fresh Fri cooking oil, Sawa soap, and White Wash detergent.
Those who knew him say Malde was not just an astute businessman, but also a man deeply committed to his workers and community.
He believed in running a business that uplifted people from the farmers supplying raw materials to the families who relied on his products.
Under his watch, Pwani Oil modernised its operations, diversified into personal care products, and even invested in renewable energy long before it became a corporate buzzword. His vision was simple: to make quality, affordable products that every Kenyan could trust.
Outside the boardroom, Malde quietly supported education, healthcare, and community projects, especially around the Coast where the company is based. He rarely sought publicity for his philanthropic work, preferring to let his actions speak for him.
Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was among the first to pay tribute, calling him “a visionary entrepreneur whose integrity and hard work made Pwani Oil a source of pride for the region.”
“My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Pwani Oil fraternity,” Balala wrote on X. “His legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs along our Coast and beyond.”
For many, Malde’s passing marks the end of an era not just for Pwani Oil, but for a generation of Kenyan industrialists who built lasting businesses from humble beginnings.
