Eliud Mwaura Kimani is a Kenyan entrepreneur who has carved out a unique niche in the United States with his high-end transport business, Liberty Travel Group.
Specializing in serving VIPs, Kimani’s company provides executive travel solutions for a discerning clientele.
His story is one of determination, beginning as a taxi driver and evolving into the founder and CEO of a company that caters to the world’s elite.
An Executive Travel Solution
Based in Texas, Liberty Travel Group provides a comprehensive, end-to-end travel experience. Kimani describes his business as a “full Travel Group,” managing every aspect of a client’s journey.
With a fleet of at least six luxury vehicles, the company’s primary focus is on VIP transportation. “We specialize in VVP,” Kimani explained in an interview with Chams Media.
His clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, celebrities, global icons, vice presidents, presidents, first ladies, and top government delegations from around the world. These clients come to the U.S. for tourism, official government business, or benchmarking trips.
The services extend far beyond simple transport. “I collect my clients from the airport when they land in the US. I then organize their ground transportation in one of our fine machines. I also organize their meals and accommodation,” Kimani explains. For government delegations without U.S. connections, he arranges meetings with their American counterparts.
Liberty Travel Group also creates custom-made packages for families on holiday. Depending on the group’s needs—whether it’s a family with young children suited for Disney World or couples seeking the nightlife of Las Vegas—Kimani plans their entire itinerary, including private aircraft travel if requested.
As an accredited travel agent, he is able to secure better rates, making packaged deals more affordable for his clients.
Operations and Reach
From his office in Dallas, Texas, Kimani operates a fleet of about six high-end vehicles, with access to many more through affiliates across the country. The company is licensed to operate in all 48 continental U.S. states, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada.
This network allows him to seamlessly manage multiple delegations arriving in different cities like New York, Texas, and Florida simultaneously. The business directly employs six full-time staff and works with at least 30 affiliates nationwide.
An Entrepreneur’s Journey
Kimani’s path to success was not a direct one. “My Journey Begins deep in the heart of rural Kenya,” he shares. “I grew up in Kambu County. I am a guy who went to school barefoot.”
After college in Nairobi, where he trained in marketing and PR management, he worked briefly for a Kenyan media house before taking a leap of faith and moving to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago.
He arrived as a visitor and initially struggled, taking on various odd jobs. “I did all the odd jobs that you hear of… odd hours, terrible jobs, low pay. The bottom line is that I was working my way up.”
The turning point came on December 23rd, 2009. He quit his job just before Christmas, with only his last paycheck of barely $200. “I did not have a loan, I did not have any savings… but I took the leap and moved forward,” he recalls.
He entered the travel industry as a taxi driver for someone else. Eventually, he bought his own taxi and built a reputation. In 2012, he shut down the taxi business to start his own limousine company, which later evolved into the full-service Liberty Travel Group.
To become an accredited travel agent, he underwent extensive training and vetting by the U.S. federal government.
Navigating the World of VIPs
Serving high-profile individuals comes with a unique set of rules and challenges. Kimani emphasizes that privacy is paramount. “I would never disclose even to my closest Family who I have,” he says, noting the importance of not bragging or posting about clients on social media.
He has faced challenges such as language barriers with non-English speaking clients and managing clients who make unreasonable or illegal requests. Furthermore, the business requires a deep understanding of the strict regulations that vary by city and state, all of which he must abide by.
Reflecting on his experiences, Kimani remains humbled. “Every so often, I pinch myself and I can rarely believe this is me, Alex. I’ve had the who-and-whos of the world — presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers, first ladies, Hollywood celebrities, and soccer icons — in the back of my car. I’ve had a chance to talk to them one-on-one, a chance millions of people around the world would wish for.”
Vision for the Future
Kimani has ambitious plans for his company. “My vision is that in the next 10 years I’ll probably be 20 times bigger than I am,” he states. “This will not just be a national company but a worldwide known travel company.”
He intends to expand internationally, starting with an office in his home country, Kenya, and is open to forming partnerships to facilitate travel for Kenyans visiting the USA.