Very few hotels in Kenya can match the heritage that Aberdare Safari Hotels Limited (ASH) boasts.
The company owns and manages some of the most iconic hotels in Kenya, including the legendary Outspan Hotel in Nyeri and Treetops Lodge in Aberdare National Park.
In this article, WoK takes a look at the tycoons who own Aberdare Safari Hotels.
Historical Appeal
The hotels’ story goes back to Major Eric Sherbrooke Walker and his wife, Lady Bettie.
The couple opened Outspan Hotel in 1928 and Treetops in 1932.
Outspan Hotel is located about 17 kilometres from Nairobi National Park and sits on a sprawling 20-acre vista overlooking the slopes of Mount Kenya.
One of the hotel’s main attractions is Paxtu Cottage, where the founder of the Boy Scout Movement, Lord Baden-Powell, spent his sunset years before he was later buried in Nyeri.
He spent his life in the cottage with his wife, Lady Baden Powell, celebrated as the founder of the Scout and Girl Guide movements.
Following the Powells’ deaths, Paxtu cottage became a museum, attracting thousands of tourists annually.
Another flagship property of the Aberdare Safaris Hotels is Treetops Lodge, famous for its links with the late Queen Elizabeth II of England.
In 1952, while visiting Kenya, Elizabeth, who was a princess at the time, had just left Treetops for Sagana Lodge when she received news of the death of her father, King George VI.
The news marked the dawn of her 70-year reign as queen.
Treetops is currently leased by two sons of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Keith Gachagua and Kelvin Gachagua.
They leased the hotel in 2024, following a deal they cut with the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Aside from Treetops and Outspan, Aberdare Safaris Hotels has also managed other properties, such as Shimba Lodge, which is located in Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale County.
The lodge became part of Aberdare Safaris Hotel’s wider hospitality portfolio in 1986.
Aberdare Safari Hotels Ownership
Historically, the ownership of Aberdare Safari Hotels has been concentrated among wealthy Kenyan families and political figures.
The company’s ownership structure was partially revealed in 2025, following a major share-buyback transaction.
In a gazette public notice, the company announced that it had purchased 1,272,400 ordinary shares from Wagema Limited and 1,272,400 shares from Wain Limited, for a combined worth of ksh 254.48 million.
Wagema Limited is closely tied to the family of former Tetu MP James Ndung’u Gethenji, who also served as the Director of Personnel Management during the Kenyatta and Moi eras.
Aside from Aberdare Safari Hotels, perhaps the most valuable assets associated with Wagema Limited are Kihingo Village and Waridi Gardens developments in Kitisuru, one of Nairobi’s most exclusive suburbs.
The project, which is worth billions, is a luxury gated community that sits on approximately 37 acres and consists of dozens of ultra-high-end homes.
The other shareholder of Aberdare Safari Hotels, Wain Limited, is owned by the family of businessman and philanthropist James Waibochi.
Each member of the Waibochi family owns at least 1000 shares in the company.
You may recognize Mr Waibochi as the Director of Kenyanisation of the Personnel Bureau at the Ministry of Labour during Jomo Kenyatta’s government.
Another notable member of the broader Waibochi family is John Waibochi, founder and CEO of Virtual City.
He gained international recognition after winning Nokia’s Growth Economy Venture Challenge in 2010 and was awarded ksh 80 million.