Millionaires and billionaires do not all come from money. In fact, some of the richest and most successful people in the world actually grew up poor; from businessmen to politicians. Here’s a look at how some of the most successful Kalenjin politicians who went from penniless to very wealthy.
President Dr. William Ruto
Dr. Ruto has indicated in the past that he wore his first pair of shoes when he was going to Form One at the rural Wareng’ High School in Uasin Gishu County.
He also sold local chicken (kuku kienyeji) on the Great North Road for between Ksh 11 and Ksh 13 to truck drivers hauling cargo to Uganda and beyond.
Today, William Ruto, is Kenya’s fifth President, going beyond expectations to clinch the highest seat in the land. He owns a fleet of top-of-the-range cars and has a number of successful businesses.
Oscar Sudi
The MP for Kapseret in Eldoret was once a matatu tout and cattle herder. The outspoken politician first came to Nairobi in 1998.
Affluence is now the norm for this son of a charcoal dealer who has since been nicknamed the Sonko of Eldoret. He is now super wealthy, with two wives and swimming in power and all the controversies that come with wielding both. He has in the recent past stunned Uasin Gishu residents when Deputy President William Ruto came to open his Ksh 100 million home in Kapseret.
Linet ‘Toto’ Chepkorir
Bomet County Women Representative-elect Linet Chepkorir aka Toto’s journey to parliament has not been an easy one. The 24-year-old Chuka University graduate disclosed in a recent interview that she took on odd jobs before she joined politics. Toto explained that she used to sell mitumba clothes, chips mwitu and also worked as a house-maid prior to the elections.
The young politician actually depended on donations from well-wishers to fund her campaigns. She revealed that she has been a leader all through her school life and still wanted to join politics after school.
Kipchumba Murkomen
The sitting Elgeyo Marakwet senator and former Senate majority leader Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen shared his TBT photos that have received mixed reactions from many Kenyans.
The senator came from a very humble background with his father being a squatter. He is a close ally of President William Ruto, who he believes share the same story as they both fought to be where they are William Ruto being a chicken seller.
Charles keter
Charles Keter is a popular Kenyan leader in the Riftvalley. He is also one of the business moguls with a deep pocket in Kericho County, running various businesses both in the county and in other parts of Kenya.
The affluent leader stunned many after sharing a throwback photo of him on his wedding day. The photo shed some light on Keter’s humble background, having come from a poor background.
