He shot to the limelight after giving up all his wealth to support needy and vulnerable children in the society.
Charles Mulli, 70, was a millionaire but at the peak of his business career, he sold everything he owned to establish a children's rescue and rehabilitation centre.
Having been an orphan and street boy, Mully understood the harsh realities of the streets because he grew up there.
Driven by the passion to assist needy children, the one-time business tycoon then established Mully Children’s Family in 1989. MCF integrates child rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration, while creating safety nets in the community to provide an environment conducive to child survival.
MCF has since grown to be one of the largest children's rescue, rehabilitation and development organisations in Africa.
MCF has designed its services along the lines of social entrepreneurship by investing in income-generating activities to fund the charity work.
Mulli’s main agenda is to transform the lives of street children, abused youth and marginalised members of society through programmes designed to serve within vulnerable communities throughout the country.
The success notwithstanding, Mulli remains committed to empower and work with different stakeholders in raising awareness and improving the protection of children in Kenya and Africa as a whole.
Born in 1949 in Kathithyamaa village in Kangundo, Machakos coungy, Mulli was left alone by his family at the age of six. He survived by begging for food before a kind woman gave him a chance to live a dignified life.
Mulli attended the Kyamulendu and Kathithyamaa schools in Kangundo. Completing his primary education in 1966, he was unable to enter secondary school because he could not afford it.
As a teenager, Mulli converted to Christianity after walking into a church and going through an experience that he believed had allowed him to attain salvation.
Mulli then travelled to Nairobi in search of employment. He found work at a private home, where his duties included gardening, washing clothes, cooking and doing other domestic chores.
A year later, Mulli was promoted to a farm assistant and transferred to Kakuzi Farm in Thika, where he met his future wife, Esther Nthenya. They married on December 22, 1970, and have been blessed with eight children.
In 1970, Mulli began working at Strabag Road Construction Company, where he oversaw the company's supplies. He remained with the company until 1972.
With the money he earned working for Strabag, Mulli bought a vehicle and began operating a public transport service running between Eldoret and Nyaru. He also engaged in agricultural business ventures.
TURNING POINT
Mulli founded the Mullyways Agencies, a transportation business conglomerate, in the 1970s, becoming very wealthy.
He also served as chairman of the boards for several international schools between 1970 and 1991, which included Kessup Girls Schools, Kaptagat Preparatory School and Chebisaas High School.
But it was in 1989 that Mulli sold all his property and businesses, and dedicated the proceeds to helping street children.
Mulli’s work has not gone unrecognised. In 2009, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities by the United Graduate College and Seminary, US.
In 2011, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in social work from Kabarak University.
He has also received many awards for his efforts to change lives. Among them are the Robert W Pierce Award (1999), World Vision International Award (Angel of Hope in 2002) and The Jubilee Insurance Company Samaritan's Award (2007).
Others are the Med Assets International USA (2008), Head of State Commendation by former President Mwai Kibaki (2009) and United Nations Environment Programme Award in 2010.
In 2012, Mulli received the Family Philanthropy Award from the East African Grant Makers Association in recognition of his contribution to philanthropic work.
And in 2014, he received an award in education at the Transform Kenya Awards.
