Inside Multi-Billion Empire of Uhuru's Confidant Eyeing Nairobi Gubernatorial Seat

President Uhuru Kenyatta (center) and billionaire Richard Ngatia (left) during a past inspection.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (center) and billionaire Richard Ngatia (left) during a past inspection.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta's confidant Richard Ngatia, during the Friday, December 10, 2021, Azimio la Umoja rally, hinted that he would be vying for the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat.

It is reported that the billionaire, who serves as the president for Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), is well placed as the Head of State's and ODM leader Raila Odinga's choice for the city county's top job.

Unknown to many people is that prior to his announcement, Ngatia played a prominent role in Uhuru's politics but often kept his dealings out of the limelight.

In June 2017, thanks to his business empire, he was among a handful of billionaires who contributed to Uhuru's campaign for his re-election as the Commander-in-Chief.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaks to billionaire Richard Ngatia in December 2021.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaks to billionaire Richard Ngatia in December 2021.
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Ngatia has a sprawling business empire that stretches beyond the country's borders and straddles both the medical sector as well as the hospitality Industry.

He is the head of Megascope Healthcare Limited, a transformational medical technologies and services provider with its headquarters in the country.

The company provides hospital design, construction and equips established hospitals with state of the art equipment and offers training to staff.

So far, the company boasts of an equipment maintenance portfolio of 98 per cent of theater equipment contained in 115 hospitals.

According to a description on the company's website, Megascope has partnered with other companies to provide medical services across the continent as well.

They include Neusoft, Heinen + Lowenstein, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical,Stephanix, Tuttnaur, KaVo Dental, Ottobok, Steridium of Australia.

Ngatia also enjoys a close friendship with President Kenyatta and has in the past been confident enough to invite him for meals at his house and drinks at his popular city club, Galileo, located in Westlands.

The two still hang out with other members of his ‘boys club’ that is mainly made up of wealthy entrepreneurs.

Among them is businessman Peter Muthoka, Energy Principal Secretary Joseph Njoroge, former Jubilee official David Murathe, Paul Ndung’u among others.

In September 2020, Ngatia was, however, forced to step in and save Megascope after it was adversely mentioned in the Ksh63 billion medical kits scandal donated by the Jack Ma foundation.

“This was a far-fetched allegation. We are not in the business of clearing and forwarding, we supply,” he defended at the time.

His interest in the city's gubernatorial seat has ruffled feathers with some of those eyeing the position revisiting the multi-billion shilling Kenya Medical Supply Agency (KEMSA) scandal.

Image of KNCCI president Richard Ngatia
Image of KNCCI president Richard Ngatia
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