GARISSA— Garissa received the news of the passing of Captain Musa Hassan Bulhan, the Managing Director of Africa Express Airways (K) Ltd and African International Airlines Ltd, with deep respect and reflection.
Captain Bulhan, who died on Saturday in Nairobi, is remembered for his distinguished career in aviation and his lifelong dedication to community service, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire many across the region.
Journalist Yunis Dekow said he was a towering figure in Kenya’s aviation sector, a quiet philanthropist, and a respected son of Garissa whose impact will be felt for generations.
Bulhan, a retired Kenya Defence Forces officer, rose to prominence as one of Kenya’s most accomplished aviators.
He was widely celebrated as the first African to own an aircraft with landing rights in Europe — a milestone that marked a bold chapter in regional aviation and earned him admiration across the continent.
Yet it was his deep commitment to community that set him apart. Across Balambala Sub-County, particularly in Raya and Sankuri, he invested heavily in public infrastructure.
“Schools, mosques, and police posts stand today as physical testaments to his belief in service. Raya, where he built his family home, became the heart of his philanthropy and the centre of many of his lifelong development projects,” said Yunis Dekow.
The writer who has extensively covered Garissa County said Captain’s entrepreneurial ventures were equally transformative. As one of the earliest major investors in Garissa town, Bulhan established the Garissa Tannery, once a leading hides and skins processing facility in the region.
He later ventured into textiles, creating new economic opportunities long before formal industry took root in North Eastern Kenya.
Residents remember a man who shunned publicity despite his success. He helped quietly, often anonymously, seeking no reward beyond the impact of the work itself. Over the years, he financed the construction of several mosques and supported scores of needy students through school fees and upkeep. Many say his generosity changed the course of their lives.
Writer and Communication strategist Yunis Dekow said Captain Bulhan was a son of Garissa, a county that has long produced men and women of rare calibre whose impact resonates far beyond its borders.
Mr. Dekow noted that given the county boosting vast plains and population of about a million people has produced pioneering aviators, respected scholars, bold entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose work continues to shape Kenya’s story.
“Garissa’s tradition of resilience, faith, and service has nurtured generations of trailblazers, and Captain Musa Hassan Bulhan stands among the finest examples of the excellence the county consistently brings forth.”
Religious scholar Abdirahman Wandati, who benefited from Bulhan’s support, offered a touching tribute:
“May Allah receive his soul with mercy. He supported my Da’wah in Butere even before we ever met. Later, when we did meet, it was during the final phase of the mosque project at KCCT, which he was funding. He involved me fully in its completion. May Allah be kind to him and those he leaves behind.”
Captain Musa Hassan Bulhan leaves behind a legacy defined by service, innovation, and a profound love for community. For Garissa, his loss is immense — but the imprint of his work, and the countless lives he uplifted, endures.
