Eric Mbatha Ndavi

Birth

Eric Mbatha Ndavi was born on the 27th of March 1974 in Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Nairobi to the late Bernard Muema Ndavi and Christine Kavenge Ndavi. He was twin brother to Denis Munyao and big brother to Flora Mwikali.

Childhood

Eric was an energetic youth who displayed an uncanny passion for art and entertainment. By the age of 9, he had discarded toys, and bikes as he leaned towards music appliances and became a renowned break-dancer in his Cricklewood London neighbourhood. While living in Buruburu Estate (Nairobi), Eric, along with DJ Morris trained under Bob Kaugi - a mobile DJ who played at weddings, events, and parties. 

Baptism

Eric was brought up in the Catholic faith and was Baptised at Muthetheni Catholic Church on the 28th of August, 1974 at the age of 5 months. He received his first Holy Communion on the 26th of June 1983 at St Agnes Catholic Church (London) & the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1987 at Consolata Shrine (Nairobi). Eric was given the Sacrament of Extreme Unction on the 24th June 2021 at Nairobi Hospital.

Education

Eric attended Kyambusya Boys Primary School from 1977 to 1978, and Child's Hill Primary in London from 1978 to 1985 for his primary education. He joined the Nairobi School from 1986 to 1990, earning his place as a ‘Patch Old Cambrian’. 

For his tertiary education, Eric attended the University of Nairobi from 1991 to 1996 to study Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. It was while he was in the University that he joined the Phoenix Players as an Actor, where he played lead roles in several productions - his favourites being the annual musicals and Shakespeare. 

Career

Eric Ndavi joined EABL (formerly KBL) right after high school where he was employed in the disposable unit packing crates before joining University.

After University, he joined Capital FM in 1996 where he started as an office gopher & ended up working in various capacities. He co-hosted The Saturday Breakfast Show as well as produced & compiled The East African Chart show before leaving the organization in 1999. 

Eric joined Ogilvy & Mather (EA) in 2000 as a Senior Copywriter and rose through the ranks in the 9 years he was there to Deputy Creative Director then to Creative Director. He transferred to ZK Advertising as the Creative Director where in his own words he said, “I developed campaigns, made Ads, kept the client happy, and tried not to blow the budget!” 

He took a work break between January 2010 to June 2011 after which he joined MCL Saatchi & Saatchi for a brief stint in mid-2011 as Creative Director. He then returned to Ogilvy Africa as Creative Director at the end of the same year where he continued to work there for the next 4 years. In October 2015, he joined Radio Africa Group as Creative Director where he remained until January 2020.

Eric launched his passion project in early 2020 - Muema Communications (Muemacom) - with the dream of making a difference in the marketing industry. He led the organization as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Creative Director until his untimely demise.

Eric prospered in his Design, Advertising, and Marketing career, such that he was referred to as a Creative Communications Guru.

Family

Eric met the love of his life Victoria Walwa while working at Ogilvy & Mather (EA) they courted and were married on the 13th of March 2010 at a lovely garden wedding in Nairobi. 

In their 11 years of marriage, they have been blessed with two beautiful children Alexis Mwende (13 years), and Andrew Lubimbi (9 years). He was Uncle to Kristina Mwikali, Bernice Wambui, Gabriel Muema Kavindu, Elijah Mutua, and Joseph Ndiba.

He deeply cherished his role as a Husband, Father, Brother, & Uncle. 

Social Life

Eric through his academic, business and professional engagements, garnered a wide and diverse range of friends from Kenya and across the world. His animated nature enamoured him to many, with his deep storytelling and humorous nature. He was the social fluid for many marketing and advertising events. 

His sharp wit cut across through his professional life, his loved ones, and his social circle. He was nicknamed ‘Ero’, ‘Mr. E’, ‘Thompson Twin’, ‘Ndao’ over the years through high school and his professional life. He was a social alumnus of the Buruburu, Highrise, South C, Kileleshwa and Kilimani circuits. His karaoke skills were legendary, as were his party planning at home, and at official engagements.

Illness

Eric began to feel unwell around mid-May 2021. On further investigation, he was diagnosed with stage two oesophageal cancer. As he prepared to take up treatment, he suddenly fell ill and was admitted to the Critical Care Unit of the Nairobi Hospital in the early hours of Monday 21st June 2021. While his condition looked promising over the four weeks he was in critical care, it deteriorated in the last few days before his passing at 10:10 a.m on Wednesday 21st July 2021.

Eric the Man

Eric faced a significant challenge when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He became the paternal leader for his nuclear and extended family, and a source of wisdom, direction and guidance for many. Eric poured his life into so many people, carried their burdens, and did not hesitate to help whenever he could. Because of his influential, dominant, and unforgettable character, a mark has been left on our lives, empowering us for the better.

Eric Ndavi was a brilliant creative and visionary whose numerous awards, accolades and impact on the industry will leave a lasting impression for the leagues of young media practitioners who will follow his legacy. He was boss, supervisor, big brother, advisor, mentor, colleague, mate and homie to many.