The ten richest people in Kenya are included in this article. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a rich person is a person who has many valuable possessions or a lot of money.
Kenya has the largest economy in East Africa, with a GDP of $71.539 billion. A Knight Frank analysis states that 1000 more people would become millionaires in Kenya in 2022. The following are the top ten wealthiest people in Kenya.
1. Manu Chandaria
Manu Chandaria OBE EBS CBS is a businessman who was born in Nairobi in the year 1929. He is a senior member of Comcraft Group of Companies, which has a presence in over 40 countries. Manu Chandaria’s boldness in venturing into entrepreneurship is one of the key factors in his success. He is a well-noted philanthropist and has been named one of Kenya’s leading industrialists. Manu Chandaria has a net worth of over $1.7 Billion. The multi-billion Comcraft Company is a huge success. He also owns property in Muthaiga, Kiambu, and drives one of the most expensive machines.
2. Nicholas Biwott
Nicholas Biwott was a businessman, Philanthropist, and politician. During his time, he served as a minister, Member of Parliament. He was born in 1940 in Kerio. According to Nigeria’s Venture, a financial magazine, Biwott was worth 100 Billion Kenyan shillings ($1 billion) placing him among the top 50 richest people in Africa. He owned many companies, which propelled him to success, and also his father influenced him to become a successful businessman by establishing a profitable fruit business in Eldoret. Among the companies Biwott owned include Barsirim Investment, Kipsinende farm, and Rono Ltd. He was also among the stakeholders at the National Milling Corporation, among other companies he owned.
3. Uhuru Kenyatta
Uhuru Kenyatta is the current President of Kenya and the son of the late President Jomo Kenyatta. His riches can be traced back to his father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who controlled and expanded his father’s fortune. Uhuru Kenyatta’s net worth is estimated to be $500 million. `
4. Naushad Merali
Naushad N. Merali, CBS, was born in the year 1951 on January 2. He was the director of the now-defunct W.P.H Kenya Tea Company from the 1980s. Naushad founded Kencell, a mobile service provider in Kenya, along with French media giant Vivendi. He is known for being one of the richest people in Kenya after getting a breakthrough in a boardroom that earned him USD20 million in profits in one hour. He is listed by Forbes magazine as the 48th richest person in Africa and third overall in Kenya, with a net worth of $370million.
5. Samuel Kamau Macharia
Samuel Kamau Macharia is the founder of a radio and television network known as Royal Media Services. He has used his wealth to influence the media space, such as anyone who would want to buy a frequency will need to consult him. The man of influence was born in Muranga in 1942 in a village named Ndakaini. After making it to the Forbes list of top ten African millionaires to watch, things went from good to better after he was later named in the Africa report of the 50 most influential Africans. Samuel Macharia, popularly known as S.K Macharia, has a net worth of over KES 40 billion, which is about $365,000,000
6. Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga is a seasoned politician in Kenya who is the son of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He is the former prime minister of Kenya and has been in active politics for 40 Years. His wealth is attributed to his politics and businesses dealing in gas, oil, land, and manufacturing. His company, called East Africa Spectre, is a big success. Raila Odinga owns properties across the country, such as homes in Karen, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Siaya. His net worth is estimated to be over KES 60 Billion.
7. Atul shah
Atul shah was born in 1961 in Nakuru and is among the richest people in Kenya. He is a notable businessman and an entrepreneur. He is the MD and CEO of Nakumatt Holdings Limited. Nkumatt is the parent company of Nakumatt supermarkets with branches all over Africa. Atul Shah’s net worth is estimated to be over $290 million. As the founder of Nakumatt, he has been able to employ individuals across Africa.
8. James Mwangi
James Mwangi is an accountant, businessman, entrepreneur, and banker. He was born in 1962 and is the Chief executive officer and managing director of Equity Group Holdings plc. James Mwangi was included among the financial times 2009 list of the top 20 most influential people in Africa. He is one of the richest persons in Kenya as Equity Group Holdings commands a wide percentage in the Kenyan banking sector. He has an estimated net worth of over $170 million. The majority of his assets are in the banking sector, and it’s from there that he has amassed his wealth.
9. Mama Ngina Kenyatta
Mama Ngina Kenyatta is the former first lady to the late former president Jomo Kenyatta and is the mother to the current president Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. She was born on June 24, 1993, in Kiambu. Mama Ngina Kenyatta has made it to the list of Africa’s top 50 billionaires. She is among the wealthiest and most influential people in Kenya and 25TH richest on the continent, with a net worth of KSH86 billion. Her fortune is spread in real estate, hospitality sectors, and the banking industry, just to name a few. She also owns over 200 000 hectares of land, which she acquired from the colonial government.
10. William Ruto
William Ruto is a Kenyan politician that has served the government for over two decades. He started as an MP in Eldoret, then became a Minister for higher education and a Minster for Agriculture. He is currently the Vice President of Kenya since 2013. William Ruto Prides himself as a hustler that came from rags to riches. He owns several real estate properties and hundreds of acres of land across the country. He has a net worth of about $100 million