How SK Macharia Helped Musician Become Millionaire

c
Billionaire SK Macharia (right) hugs ODM leader Raila Odinga (left) outside AIC Church Naivasha on October 10, 2021
Twitter

Musician Anderson Murunga, alias Man Ingwe or Mr Leopard, has recalled how his close friendship with media mogul Samuel Kamau Macharia (SK Macharia), coupled with Sacco savings and royalties from his art saw him open a multi-million real estate company. 

Murunga, on Friday, October 15, narrated that he became a superstar in Kenya around 2009 while he was working at a telco company. Despite having a stable income, he opted to maximize his music talent to optimise returns. 

He rose to stardom with gospel hits - Ugali Sosa, Wrong Number, Mulika Mwizi, Boda Boda, Please Call Me and Chapati

“I was on the papers, TV, magazines and radio. I graced big gigs and endorsed corporate products, performing and emceeing in weddings and national events,” he stated. 

c
Anderson Murunga alias Man Ingwe/Mr Leopard in a Facebook post dated March 5, 2018
Facebook

Man Ingwe quit his job at the telco company to fully focus on his music career. Luckily for him, the decision paid off as his clientele remained loyal to him. 

Former Radio Citizen presenter, Joyce wa Gituro, would then link him with billionaire SK Macharia at a private event and the two struck a friendship.  

“Gituro called me for an event and asked me not to be worried about the facilitation. SK Macharia just loved me and he used to instruct his officials to ensure I accompany him for his personal private visits to events and even funerals, especially in Central Kenya. 

“After Inooro FM presenters and Kikuyu artists perform, SK would personally introduce me as mtu wa ngima sosa - in reference to my song Ugali Sosa. He would even explain the song himself,” Mr Leopard recalled. 

His highest rate back then was Ksh120,000, to entertain guests for a single afternoon. In spite of the affluence, Murunga strived to live a simple but elegant life focused on saving. 

His wife, he remembered, at times wondered why they never lived an extravagant life. 

“I insisted that we had to make the relevant sacrifices for a better tomorrow. My eyes were set on investing in land like my life depended on it. I invested there unapologetically,” he explained. 

The couple lived in a two-bedroom house in Kitengela for quite a long time as other musicians splashed money in rental homes in high-end suburbs.  He, however, promised to build his wife a mansion when their investment paid off. 

“Much later, we decided we should build our house on one of our plots. We agreed but a fight ensued. She wanted a good home and I insisted that the unit must be both residential for us but also commercial to enable us to gain some rent and survive eventualities. 

"I believed I was right, as our debt was too much and earning from rent was our only chance of survival. I abandoned the project when we couldn't agree, but after six months she changed her mind and we began the journey. With just Ksh300,000, we began the foundation and God led us along the way. She played a great role and supported the vision with all of her heart and resources,” he shared.

His real estate dream was realised when the telco sacco, where he was a member, offered him an opportunity to capitalise on his gains. Man Ingwe bid for a Toyota Hilux Double Cabin and won but sold it three days later for a profit. 

c
Musician Anderson Murunga (left) poses for a photo with Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi (right), the Permanent Secretary in charge of the State Department for University Education and Research in the Ministry of Education on March 6, 2019
Facebook

He then bought a second hand Range Rover and also sold it for a profit a few weeks later. 

Murunga further took a loan from the Sacco and invested in purchasing a quarter acre at various regions for Ksh700,000. His partners at his real estate company were senior managers and engineers only.

“Well Ksh3.5 Million is a good return on that investment today,” the artist narrated. 

He strived and offset his loan balances and also invested upcountry in Kakamega. 

“I am here to tell you that you can make sacrifices today which will eventually pay off 10 years later and that's my case. That is my story of 10 years of vision and sacrifice. I see celebrities showing off their V8s, Range Rovers and BMWs but I always wish them well because I know how they struggle to maintain those vehicles.

“I am okay with my Nissan Note but my future is secured. Make the necessary sacrifices and secure your future when the time is right especially if opportunities are available,” Murunga advised and urged his followers to contact him for land and real estate businesses

  • .