Story of Kenyan Who Owns Club, Word-Class Resort & Apartments in Kilifi

An aerial view of Peacock resort in Mtwapa, Kilifi County
An aerial view of Peacock resort in Mtwapa, Kilifi County
White Peacock Resort

All entrepreneurs aspire to reach the upper echelon of their craft by amassing wealth from their ventures. 

In the case of Agusta Thumbi, her zeal and passion for real estate birthed into multi-million establishments.

Speaking to Chams Media on Saturday, January 7, she recounted her upbringing- pointing out how her experience abroad shaped her career.

Born and bred in Mtwapa, Thumbi aspired to venture into entrepreneurship after completing her university education. 

Entrepreneur Agusta Thumbi speaks to Chams Media TV in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.
Entrepreneur Agusta Thumbi speaks to Chams Media TV in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.
White Peacock Resort

"I studied Tourism and Hospitality and began working in Mombasa at Hotels of African Safari club, which consisted of many branches. I ultimately quit my job to venture into my own business," she stated. 

Thumbi launched tours and travel companies to test the market. As fate would have it, the entrepreneur found an opportunity in Switzerland, which prompted her to close her business. 

"I had a tour company and did tour guides in Mombasa. At a certain stage,  I sought to complete my education hence I got a vacancy in Switzerland to do hospitality in 1989. I had an opportunity of working in different hotels there," Thumbi stated. 

After studying in Basel, Switzerland, for about two and a half years, she switched careers from hospitality to the pharmaceutical sector, believing she would get better pay.

"After two or three years, the department that I was working in closed meaning I had to get a new job. I began in another big company as a cashier from 1996 to 2010. At the time I was an assistant manager in one of their branches," she noted. 

Kenyan Currency notes.
A photo of sample Kenyan currency notes.
Photo

During her tenure, she began developing ideas to invest in Kenya. In 2009, she developed Hotel Basilea, which kicked off in December 2010. 

Three years later, she opened a Country club in 2013 in Mtwapa, Kilifi County. However, her quest did not stop there. Thumbi endeavoured to build a world-class resort to tap into the tourism market

"At the time it was one of the newest resorts in Mtwapa but things stalled soon as the pandemic struck. We did the construction with all the challenges incurred and were able to complete it," she noted. 

Revealing her source of wealth, Thumbi noted that she initially began with savings before turning to banks for loans.