The co-founder of Cheki.com.ng, an online auto mart and CEO of One Africa Media, Carey Eaton, was shot dead in Kenya on Thursday morning.
Eaton, according to One Africa Media's release, was shot during an armed robbery attempt at his friend’s home in Nairobi in the early hours of Thursday.
Before his death, Eaton was the co-founder of the One Africa Media group of companies which is the parent company of Cheki, BrighterMonday, BuyRentKenya and StayNow in Kenya, as well as similar internet businesses across Africa.
“He was one of the inspirational leaders of the technology revolution happening across the continent of Africa. He was on the boards of many companies and was well respected as a leader in the emerging online business sector where he also played a mentorship role to young technology entrepreneurs,” the release said.
Previously CIO of the Australian classified group, SEEK, Mr. Eaton returned to Kenya in 2011 to start Cheki.
From humble beginnings, he grew Cheki into Kenya’s number one car portal and the larger group of companies into Africa’s largest classified group.
The Kenyan operation now includes over 150 people spread across the country.