Top 10 Richest People in Kenya and How They Made Their Money

Have you ever wondered who the richest people in Kenya are, and how they got to be so wealthy? This list of the top 10 richest people in Kenya and how they made their money should be of interest!

10. Dr. James Mwangi

• Dr. James Mwangi is well known for being the face of Equity Bank. He is currently the Group CEO and MD of Equity Group Holdings Limited, a post he has held since 2019.
• This accountant-turned-businessman, banker, and entrepreneur has a net worth of $170 million, earned from his significant stake in the Equity Group. Dr. Mwangi has also invested heavily in stocks and real estate.

9. Raila Odinga

• Raila Odinga, formerly the Prime Minister of Kenya between 2008 and 2013, has a net worth of $170 million. He has made his money mainly from politics and manufacturing.
• Mr. Odinga owns East African Spectre and Pan African Petroleum Industrial Services. He has also invested in land and the manufacturing sector.

8. Peter Munga

• Peter Munga is one of the top 10 richest people in Kenya. His net worth of $280 million is a result of investing in agriculture, finance, education, and insurance.
• Munga is the founder of Equatorial Nut Processors Limited and Equity Building Society Ltd (which eventually became Equity Bank). He is also the founder of the Pioneer Group of Schools.

7. Narendra Raval

• Narendra Raval, the founder and chairman of the Devki Group, is one of Kenya’s more seasoned entrepreneurs. He currently has a net worth of $400 million.
• This millionaire’s main source of income comes from the Devki Group, a leading building material manufacturer. The six companies within this group manufacture steel, cement, and aluminium among many other products.

6. Mahendra Rambhai Patel

• Mahendra Patel, whose net worth is $430 million, is the owner and founder of the Ramco Group. This group started as a small hardware shop in Nairobi in 1948.
• The Ramco Group has interests in print media, real estate, office supplies, manufacturing, etc. Patel has also invested in agriculture.

5. Uhuru Kenyatta

• Uhuru Kenyatta, the immediate former president of Kenya, has a net worth of $530 million. Most of his wealth comes from politics and business.
• Some of his business interests include transport, media, banking, dairy farming, and hospitality.

4. Jaswinder Singh Bedi

• Jaswinder Singh Bedi is the founder and owner of the textile manufacturing giant, Bedi Industries. His net worth is $650 million, with most of it coming from his company.
• This millionaire is an exporter, entrepreneur, and industrialist, and is well-known as an international trade negotiator.

3. Bhimji Depar Shah

• Bhimji Depar Shah is another of the top 10 richest people in Kenya. He is behind the establishment of Bidco Industries back in 1970, and his current net worth is $750 million.
• Bidco Industries has since grown into the Bidco Group, which is associated with leading brands such as Cowboy, Elianto, Msafi, and Golden Fry.

2. Sameer Naushad Merali

• Sameer Naushad Merali inherited most of his wealth from his father Naushad Merali, giving him a net worth of $790 million.
• He owns the controlling shares at the Sameer Group, which has interests in banking, real estate, manufacturing, telecommunications, and agriculture.

1. Mama Ngina Kenyatta

• Mama Ngina Kenyatta is a former first lady of the Republic of Kenya. Her net worth is $1 billion, making her the only female dollar billionaire in Kenya.
• Mama Ngina’s interests cut across various sectors, including real estate, hospitality, and banking. She has stakes in Peponi School, Brookside Dairy, NCBA Bank, and Mediamax, among others.

Now that you know where these top 10 richest people in Kenya make their money, you can also be inspired to start small and work your way to the top!