Former Communications Director boss Francis Wangusi is dead

Wangusi succumbed to colon cancer while undergoing treatment following a long illness, according to his family.

He had been admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Francis Wangusi, christened “Father of ICT” is credited for spearheading Kenya’s transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting in 2015, making Kenya among the first countries in Africa.

Wangusi began his professional journey as a young engineer at the now-defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC), and, rose through the ranks to become the fifth Director General of the CA in 2012 until his retirement in 2019.

The current Director General at CA, Ezra Chiloba eulogized Wangusi as one who “served the sector with great distinction for over 30 years.”

“The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has received the news of the demise of Mr. Francis Wangusi, MBS, the former Director General of the Authority with profound shock and sadness,” Chiloba said.

“During his tenure at the helm of CA, Chiloba said, he presided over significant strides in the ICT sector, and priming it for the exponential growth witnessed today,”.

As the CA boss, Mr Wangusi was once entangled in a tiff with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after the President ordered that CA should surrender Sh1 billion to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to deal with cybercrime.
The money was from the Universal Service Fund, mandatory contributions from licensed telecommunications operators that provide services in the various communications market, which is collected by CA.

Wangusi Eulogised

Eugene L. Wamalwa: My deepest condolonces to the family of my friend Francis Wangusi, former DG CA, who passed away today in Nairobi. The family has lost a loving husband &father but the Nation has lost a brilliant, visionary and fearless leader who oversaw Kenya’s digital migration against great odds

Stephen Mutoro: With a heavy heart, I am devastated to have to announce the death of my brother Francis Wangusi, the immediate former substantive Director General of @CA_Kenya. God gives and takes. RIP.

Hon. Catherine Wambilianga-Mp: It is with profound shock that I have learnt of the untimely demise of former @CA_Kenya of Kenya Mr Francis Wangusi.He was a great son of the soil and a committed servant to the people. He devoted his life for service that earned him an immortal reputation.