“Rai is an old hand in the game of business competition, arm twisting, muscle flexing, litigation, and all other kinds of tricks that enable shrewd businessmen to thrive and stay ahead of the game. He has deep roots weaved around powerful political families, granting him his commercial wishes”.
Those were the words used by a Daily Nation journalist in an article published in 2018 to describe Jaswant Singh Rai, the billionaire behind half of Kenya’s sugar production.
He is reportedly so powerful that he influences some of the government’s economic decisions, including budget proposals, in what Daily Nation termed as ‘state capture’.
This is the profile of the sugar oligarch as told by WoK:
Family
Jaswant Rai hails from the Rai Family – one of the wealthiest families in Kenya. He is among the five sons of his father, Tarlochan Singh Rai, who died in 2010, and his mother, the late Sarjij Kaur Rai.
Jaswant chairs the Rai group of companies, which owns West Kenya Sugar Factory (Kabras Sugar), Menengai Oil Refineries, Timsales, Raiply, Webuye Pan paper, and Tulip Properties.
His younger brother, Sarbi Singh Rai, owns the Sarrai Group of companies, based in Uganda. The group comprises over 10 companies in Malawi and Uganda, including three sugar mills, and is behind the Kinyara Sugar brand in Uganda.
Despite being brothers, Sarbi and Jaswant fell out over the distribution of their father’s wealth. This prompted Sarbi to withdraw from the family business – The Rai group – to manage the Sarrai group of companies.
This was not the first split in the family. In fact, the Rai family has been involved in numerous court cases involving the distribution of the patriarch’s multi-billion estates.
Incidentally, Jaswant was the executor of his father’s will, whose property included Rai Plywoods (K) Ltd, Rai Produces Ltd, Rai Holdings Ltd, Rai Agriculture Enterprises Ltd, Rai Investments Ltd and Rai Ceramics Ltd.
He also owned Tulip Properties Ltd., Rai Expo Park Ltd., and houses in Kampala, Runda, and Canada. Further, his Absa accounts contained at least Sh329 million
Additionally, he left Rai Management and Technical Services Limited – which is registered in the tax haven of Jersey Island – and millions of dollars in accounts at Citibank outlets in London and New Delhi.
The patriarch made his fortunes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by purchasing plantations left behind by fleeing colonialists. He settled in Kenya in the 1970s with his family.
Kabras Sugar
Jaswant is best known as the owner (under the Rai group) of West Kenya Sugar Mill, which produces the Kabras Sugar brand. He owns three other mills – Olepito, Sukari, and Naitiri.
In 2022, the billionaire extended his dominance in the sugar sector with the opening of the Naitiri factory in Bungoma, which gave him an almost 50% stake in sugar production in the country.
Data from the sugar directorate indicated that his factories accounted for 45% of the sugar produced in the country in 2022.
His production surpassed those of established millers like Nzoia, Chemilil, Busia, and South Nyanza.
According to Business Daily, Rai became the sugar Godfather by contracting over 200,000 sugarcane farmers from Western, Nyanza, and parts of Rift Valley, giving his competitors a hard time in acquiring raw materials.
Powerful Connections
By far, the greatest contributor to Rai’s success is his deep-rooted connections with the political elite. His connections reportedly flow freely from the Moi Era to the current Kenya Kwanza regime. These connections have made him untouchable.
His ties extend to Uganda, where he owns the second largest sugar factory — Kanyara Sugar Works — and to Tanzania, where he owns Mufumbira Paper Mill, making him the only paper manufacturer in the region.
In January 2021, Rai’s son, Tajveer, married the daughter of another sugar baron, Mr Ragbirr Singh, better known as Birre, who owns Kibos Sugar.
The gold-themed wedding was attended by then deputy president William Ruto and current defense minister Aden Duale.
The soft-spoken billionaire’s ties extend even to the Kenyatta family. He is said to be a close friend of Muhoho Kenyatta, who is a regular guest at the Sugar oligarch’s private functions.
As a billionaire, Rai’s lifestyle befits his stature. His suits are reportedly made by Ozwald Boateng, the famous English designer, whose clients include famous Hollywood stars, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, and some of Kenya’s cabinet ministers.
One of Boateng’s sleek suits cost at least sh 500 000, a tie sh 20 000, and a shirt sh 54 000 – According to the Daily Nation.
Aside from his lavish lifestyle, Jaswant Rai is a devout family man.
With his wife Sarjij, the couple has seven children: Jasbir, Jaswant, Sarbjit, and Iqbal as well as daughters Hertej Ashwin Oza, Daljit Kaur Hans, and Sarbjit.
Kidnapping
The billionaire made headlines over the weekend when media outlets reported that he had been kidnapped. His daughter submitted a missing person report at Kilimani Police Station on Saturday 26th, and his family submitted a CCTV video showing unknown men forcing Mr. Rai into a grey pickup and speeding away on Friday.
However, the billionaire was released and reunited with his family on Sunday evening. According to his lawyer, he was shaken but unharmed.
The DCI promised investigations into the matter but revealed that security agencies were still unsure as to whether it was a case of kidnapping.
