Riches, better yet, generational wealth always tops the aspirations and desires of most people, or it may as well be all of us. But, not many get to that point in the course of their lives, and even few make it there early in their lives.
Kenya is home to some of the wealthiest individuals on the continent thanks to the entrepreneurial opportunities and market demand in the country.
However, a section of Kenyans have made their mark on an international stage and even the national headlines for being young rich entrepreneurs.
On this segment Whownskenya.com looks at some of the wealthiest young people in Kenya.
Gloria Michelle Otieno
She is the founder of Recours Four Kenya Consultants Limited (R4Kenya), a professional Human Resources firm located in Nairobi.
Gloria founded the company in 2013 with $2,000 of her savings and over the years she has grown the company to generate revenues of $400,000 (Ksh43 million) per year and employs 19 people.
R4Kenya offers services in consultancy, recruitment, training, psychometric testing and staff outsourcing.
Some of the company’s clients include the World Bank group, Kenya National Examination Council, USAID, GlaxoSmithKline and betting firm Sportpesa.
Rajiv Mehta
He is the founder of Tangerine Investments, an advertisement firm. He is one of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs.
Tangerine Investments uses street poles, transit vehicles and litter bins to market leading consumer products in Kenya.
The company was founded in 2008 and has since grown to have clients such as Kenya Airways, Pizza Inn, Subway and Coca Cola HP among others.
Tangerine investments has a reported annual revenue of $1 million (ksh108 million).
Eugene Mbugua
Mbugua is the founder of Young Rich, a Documentary & Reality Television production company.
Through his company, he has created several Tv shows that have graced Kenyan screens. They include; Get In The Kitchen, Our Perfect Wedding, Stori Yangu, My Friend, Being Bahati, Foods of Kenya, The Best Of, and the most recent, Concert Nyumbani (which was broadcast across 11 TV stations in the country simultaneously) and Sol Family.
Mbugua made his first million at the age of 22 and went on to be featured on Business Daily’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ in 2014. He won ‘Best Editor’ at the Kalasha Awards. In 2016, he was featured by Forbes Africa magazine as one of the ‘Most Promising Entrepreneurs Under 30’.
In 2017, he was on the cover of Forbes Africa magazine making the ‘Top 30 Under 30’ list.
Lorna Rutto
She is the founder of EcoPost, a company that manufactures aesthetic, durable and environmentally friendly fencing posts using plastic waste.
The collects plastic waste (such as polypropylene and polyethylene) and uses it to manufacture fencing posts. This is a more environmentally friendly approach than the use of timber.
Rutto attracted global attention for her efforts in providing an alternative waste management solution to the country’s ever growing plastic menace.
Eric Muthomi
He is the founder of Stawi Foods and Fruits The company procures fruits from farmers and uses to fortify flours that are sold through retailers nationally.
Muthomi founded the company is 2011 primarily as a banana flour processing business where it processed and packaged banana flour for sale to retailers countrywide.
Stawi Foods and Fruits later diversified its products to offer two new instant fortified porridge flours (Nurture Junior and Nurture Family).
Mark Kaigwa
Kaigwa is a creative director, filmmaker, digital marketer and entrepreneur. He is a co-founder and partner at Afrinnovator, a online platform that publishes articles on innovation, technology and start-ups in Africa.
He is also a Partner at African Digital Art , a leading web development resource for creative inspiration in animation, illustration, photography and design from Africa.
Phyllis Wakiaga
She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).
KAM is an organization that represents manufacturers and advocates for better business environments for the smooth operation and survival of local industries.
Wakiaga efforts to ensure a favorable environment that allows the manufacturing industry to generate wealth and employment.
Kariuki Gathitu
He is the founder of money management system M-Payer. The application has won awards globally both in Africa and on the international stage.
Having worked as a banker and seeing the challenges people face, Kariuki grew passionate about innovation, technology and business.
He is a vocal youth advocate and has traversed the African continent engaging youths on entrepreneurship. He has worked with the African union, the World Bank and even governments in this capacity.
Joel Mwale
Mwale is the founder and CEO at SkyDrop Enterprises, a company that filters and bottles rainwater. The company has since ventured into the production and sale of milk and other dairy products across the country.
He founded Skydrop in December 2009 and the company now employs over 20 people.
