When a wealthy tycoon dies, one of the most pressing questions he leaves behind is whether his children will be able to manage the empire he has left behind.
Kenya has seen its fair share of family businesses collapsing because of poor management or inheritance disputes.
However, many others have kept thriving under the leadership of the founders’ sons and daughters.
In this article, WoK features seven Kenyan families that have kept major businesses operating across generations.
- Faiz Gilani — Gilani’s Supermarket
Gilani’s is one of the oldest supermarkets in Nakuru. Ghulam Hussein started the business in 1972 as a small grocery shop.
His sons, Salim and Nazmi, later joined him and helped expand the business.
After their father’s death, the sons took over the business operations, with Faiz Gilani serving as chief executive.
Under the sons’ leadership, Gilani’s expanded into wholesale distribution, restaurants, and real estate.
The family is also credited with building Tower One, a major commercial building in Nakuru.
- Hashim Ahmed and Ali Ali — Mombasa Maize Millers
Mombasa Maize Millers was established by two brothers, Islam Ali and Ahmed Ali, in 1978. The company started as one small maize mill in Mombasa.
After both founders died, their sons continued managing and expanding the business.
The sons, Hashim Ahmed and Ali, have served as the company’s director and general manager, respectively.
Today, the company produces popular flour brands such as Taifa, Ndovu and Tima.
It also manufactures edible oils, salt, confectionery and animal feeds, with operations in all major Kenyan towns.
- Bimal, Hiten and Bejul Shah — Broadway Bakery
Broadway, the Bakery behind Broadway’s bread, was founded in Thika in 1958 by brothers Sobhagchand and Ratilal Shah.
Their children later joined the business and learned different parts of its operations.
Bimal Shah specialised in baking, Hiten Shah in flour milling, and Bejul Shah in logistics.
When the founders died in the early 2000s, the children took over the business, and Broadway successfully grew into one of Kenya’s most popular bread manufacturers.
The founder’s grandchildren have also joined the business, and Broadway now operates another factory called Bakex Millers, which manufactures wheat flour.
- Duncan and Wambui Kinuthia — Quickmart Supermarkets
Quickmart Supermarket was established in Nakuru in 2006 by John Kinuthia and his wife, Zipporah Wanjiku.
Their son Duncan helped expand the supermarket into Nairobi, where Quickmart is currently headquartered.
Their daughter, Wambui Kinuthia, also joined the business as a cashier before she was promoted to management.
When John died in 2016, the children and their mother continued running the business.
In 2019, Quickmart attracted investment from Adenia Partners and later merged with Tumaini supermarkets, establishing its regional dominance.
Today, Quickmart is one of the largest supermarket chains in Kenya, with more than 72 outlets and annual revenue of approximately KSh50 billion.
- Jaswant Singh Rai — Rai Group
Jaswant Singh Rai is one of the sons of the late industrialist Tarlochan Singh Rai.
Tarlochan, who died in 2010, built one of the largest business empires in Kenya, which thrived during the Moi and Kibaki administrations.
Jaswant, the influential billionaire we know today, took over the leadership of Rai Group and was appointed executor of his father’s will.
The family’s businesses now include West Kenya Sugar, which produces Kabras Sugar, Menengai Oil Refineries, RaiPly and Rai Paper.
- Mary-Ann Musangi — HACO Industries
When billionaire Chris Kirubi died in June 2021, he left behind one of the largest business empires the country has ever seen, one of which was HACO Industries.
HACO manufactures products such as Miadi, Amara and So Soft.
However, by the time Kirubi died, his daughter, Mary-Ann Musangi, had already become the company’s managing director, a role she took over in 2019.
She has continued leading the company after his death and has steered its expansion into other African countries.
Her brother, Robert Kirubi, helps her manage the business.
- Kirit, Mahendra and Chandrakant Patel — Ramco Group
Ramco Group was started in 1948 when Rambhai Patel in 1948, when he opened a small hardware shop in Nairobi.
His sons, Kirit, Mahendra and Chandrakant, later joined the business, and their father’s small shop gradually grew to a regional conglomerate.
When Patel died, the sons took full control of the business.
Today, Kirit serves as Ramco’s chairman, while Patel’s grandson, Amit Patel, is the CEO.
Ramco, which makes steel and packaging materials, has over 40 companies across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.