Chris Musau burst into the limelight when he purchased the iconic 680 Hotel located in the heart of Nairobi for a staggering Ksh1.2 billion.
Unbeknownst to many, the billionaire journey in the world of entrepreneurship started quite early.
He was born in 1954 in Tawa, a rural hamlet in Machakos county. According to a local daily, Chris Musau worked at his father’s shops and a transport company.
Education and employment
Musau completed his O-levels at Prince of Wales (present day Nairobi School). The hotelier took up a job at a hides and skin company where he rose to become a manager earning Ksh28,000-which was a substantial amount in the 70s.
At the age of 22-then newly married-he bought 10,000 acres that was being sold by a white landowner for Ksh280 per acre. The farm had 1,800 cows, sheep and goats.
“My friends thought I was going mad by trying to buy land in an area where it hardly rains. Others from affluent backgrounds were buying land in Ruiru, Limuru and other high-end neighbourhoods.
Few saw any business sense in buying land in Ukambani. In any case, I did not even have money for the “barren” land,” Musau told the Standard.
He purchased the land from personal savings, loans and family resources.
Years later, Musau sold 75 percent of the land to prominent personalities including the late cabinet minister Mutula Kilonzo.
The entrepreneur business portfolio has grown with the building of the 360 room Maanzoni Lodge. He went on to acquire 680 Hotel in 2022.
Supermarket
The billionaire owned Nova Supermarket chain in Machakos and Komarock. He sold the retailer to giant Naivas after children showed no interest in managing the business.
“None of my children were keen on taking over operations of Nova Supermarkets in Machakos and Komarock that saw me work for eight straight years starting at 6am to midnight daily,” he says.
