The Luo community is the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya, after the Kikuyu, the Luhya and the Kalenjin communities. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2019 population and housing census, the population of the Luo stands at 5,066,966 people. The Ramogi descendants are known and celebrated in Kenya for their intellect, artistry, class and fighting for the democratic space enjoyed in the country.
WoK lists some of the wealthiest people in Luo Nyanza and the businesses they run.
Sammy Wakiaga
Sammy Wakiaga is a reclusive tycoon who is the son of Senior Chief Semekia Wakiaga. He previously served in the Agricultural Development Corporation board, National Intelligence Service and recently under the handshake agreement was posted by Foreign Ministry as Kenya’s minister counsellor to Geneva, Switzerland.
Wakiaga is a seasoned real estate mogul who owns many properties in Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa and Homa Bay including The Rusinga Lodge. Wakiaga also owns several ferries that ply the Mbita-Luanda Kotieno route that links Siaya and Homabay Counties.
He is a native of the Suba subtribe of the Luo who hails from Rusinga and a close ally of ODM Party leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.
In the 2017 general elections that saw Mike Sonko thrash Evans Kidero, Wakiaga was a top choice candidate for the Orange party. He however maintains a low profile and holds no office in the national assembly nor that of the party organs. Wakiaga’s wealth is estimated to be to be in the tune of billions making one of the richest Luo men.
James Rege
The former Karachuonyo Constituency MP is considered one of the richest people in Luo Nyanza. When he served as the area representative, Rege would spend upwards of Sh300,000 per week on ‘michango’. The 73 year old IT guru co-owns a company that finances businesses. In 2017, he was named among the 13 billionaires who funded President Uhuru Kenyatta campaigns.
Raila Amolo Odinga
The former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is also ODM Party leader is one of the richest Kenyans with an estimated net worth of over US$200 million, according to Forbes. He is the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the first vice president of independent Kenya.
Besides politics, Raila is an astute businessman who owns companies including Spectre International Limited, Pan African Petroleum Company among others. Raila owns multi-million properties including the expansive house in Kisumu’s Riat Hills, a fleet of luxury cars, and a residence in Karen.
Edwin Ochieng Yinda
He lost the Alego/Usonga parliamentary seat to George Mulwan and decided he had had enough of politics and went back to running his vast business empire. Before he joined politics, the wealthy Yinda repaired ships and sold processed tea (through Venus Tea Brokers Ltd.) for more than 20 years.
He said of decision to quit politics:
“I really wanted to help my constituents, but since they did not elect me, I have decided to go back to my business”
He is the current chairman and executive director at Supply Linkages Limited and also serves as director at Cent Savvy Investments Ltd. He is a board member of St. Andrew’s School, Turi.
Evans Gor Semelang’o
Gor Semelang’o is a Kenyan businessman and the former Youth Enterprise and Development Fund chairman, where he won hearts of Kenyans by surrendering his salary to the youth. Gor is a flashy and flamboyant individual who owns expensive cars like Range Rover Sports and Prado just to name a few.
The millionaire has business interests in Real Estate and Oil and petroleum, transport, media and tourism industries and owns a number of companies including Petrokenya Oil Company Limited and Talanta Media. He also owns businesses in New York.
Asked why he wore two watches worth KSh 500,000, he replied: “Time is money, and I take my time very seriously. I have businesses in New York and my two watches are set in different time zones.”
Evans Kidero
The billionaire former Nairobi Governor is arguably by far the richest man in Luo Nyanza. He has apartments in Nairobi that he charges Sh540,000 in monthly rent. Kidero is also said to have buildings in Kisumu.
Jared Otieno
Jared Otieno is a popular tycoon and businessman well known to Kenyans for his large spending. A close ally to Kenya’s top politicians and media personalities, Jared is a man who will bring an entire town to a standstill.
During his pre-wedding party attended by several politicians among them Anyang Nyong’o, Kithure Kindiki, and Kiraitu Murungi at Ndhiwa village Homa Bay County, the millionaire’s fiance, Kendi Mwiti, and her family landed in three choppers. He would later give her house keys to a six bedroom elegant house.
A more elaborate show of opulence later followed in Meru when he went to pay for dowry. Jared hired 4 helicopters, 5 Porches, and Mercedes Benz vehicles for the ceremony before paying Ksh 15 million as bride price. Indeed, as the humorous Kenyan fact goes, Luos do not attend events, their arrival is the event!
Among the most expensive things owned by this tycoon are a Ksh 30 million Porsche Panamera and a Ksh 110 million house in Karen.
Raphael Tuju
The cabinet secretary without portfolio ranks among the richest men in the country. He has a stately house in Karen that is worth hundreds of millions. Tuju has prime property in Upperhill where an acre of land will fetch one Sh550 million.
Mzee Jalango Mwenyewe
Felix Odiwour Akodhe, popularly known as Jalango, is one of the wealthiest entertainers in Kenya. He plies his trade on Kiss FM, has a successful YouTube channel and he is the founder and CEO of an event organising company known as Arena Media. Some of the properties he owns include a
V8, Mercedes V-Class, Mercedes SLK, Discovery. He has apartments and homes in Nairobi and his rural home.
“I have apartments and the house I live in. The apartments are several and most are in the Airbnb business because it’s a big business nowadays in Nairobi,” he added.
Akothee
The flamboyant entertainer appeared among the top 30 richest musicians in Africa. Akothee is the founder of Akothee Safaris and a real estate business known as Aknotela and Akothee Homes.
