Meet 7 Of The Most Prominent And Wealthy Families In Embu County: Their Businesses, Properties and Wealth
Embu County is home to some of the most prominent and influential families in Kenya’s Eastern Region.
The national county registry designates Emby cunty as 014, with its headquarters being Embu town.
The county is widely known for its vibrant agricultural sector and is a hub for crops like coffee, tea, macadamia, miraa, and rice.
In this article, WoK has identified 7 of the most influential families in Embu County:
1. The Kuria family: Paleah Stores and Kenya Mpya
Patrick Njiru Kuria and his wife, Leah Njeri Njiru, run Paleah Stores, an Embu-based wholesale business that deals in construction materials and food products.
The business sells cement, sand, iron sheets, sugar and rice.
However, the crown jewel of the Kuria family’s businesses is Neo Kenya Mpya, one of the most popular public service vehicles that ply the Thika Superhighway corridor with a fleet of more than 170 buses.
Patrick Njiru is a former rally driver who hails from Kevote in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County.
Reports also suggest that he is related to former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici.
- The Njagi Family: Riva Petroleum and property companies
The Njagi family operates Riva Petroleum Dealers Limited, a major oil marketing, fuel distribution, and lubricants business that operates across East Africa.
The Riva brand operates over 25 petrol stations, with depots in major towns like Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Kisumu.
Additionally, the business employs over 600 people in at least 28 counties across Kenya.
Riva is also a major distributor of Shell lubricants, with its markets extending to Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
- The Munga Family: Kevian Kenya Ltd
The Munga family is led by Joseph Wanjui Munga. The family operates Kevian Kenya Ltd, which is one of the largest manufacturers of beverages in Kenya.
Kevian owns several household brands, including Afia Juice, Pick N Peel, Kevian Water, Oasis Water, Legend Brandy, Summit Malt, among others.
The company employs thousands of people from Embu and other counties in Kenya, which makes the Munga Family one of the rising dynasties from Embu.
- The Kabu family: Bonfire Adventures
Sarah Kabu and Simon Kabu are the founders of Bonfire Adventures, one of the most popular tour and travel companies in Kenya.
Sarah grew up in Embu County and set up Bonfire with Simon after the two met through an online discussion group.
They saw a business opportunity and started organizing trips and corporate team-building events, which grew to become Bonfire Adventures.
In several media interviews, the couple stated that at its peak, Bonfire was worth millions, with offices locally and internationally.
However, the couple broke up in 2024 and have been involved in highly publicized legal disputes regarding the control of Bonfire’s assets and operations.
- The Mugo family: Izaak Walton Inn
The Mugo family own and run the Izaak Walton Inn in Embu, one of the most popular hospitality business in Embu County.
Izaak Walton Inn was established in the 1930s and occupies approximately 9 hectares along the Embu-Meru highway.
One of the most popular guests who have visited the hotel is Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.
He was the hotel’s guest in October 2022 while preparing to climb Mount Kenya.
- The Kiarie family: Morning Glory Plaza
Njue Kiarie and his wife, Janet Waihuni Njue, are the owners of Morning Glory Plaza, a prominent commercial building located at the heart of Embu town near Kenya Commercial Bank.
The building houses various shops, offices, and retail tenants.
In 2019, the Environment and Land Court ordered the Kiaries to demolish part of the building, saying that it had been built on land belonging to Cosmas Kathungu
Aside from the Plaza, the Kiarie family reportedly own other buildings and parcels of land in Embu town.
