A new report by Oxfam International Limited released on Monday, January 17, brought to light three individuals who had overtaken President Uhuru Kenyatta's family as the wealthiest people in the country.
Sitting at the top of the list is Sameer Merali, son of the late billionaire Naushad Merali, whose fortune is estimated to be worth Ksh89.6 billion.
The heir to his late father's proverbial throne, Sameer is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sameer Investments Limited.
Sharing his father's business acumen, Sameer has also invested in manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, real estate as well as agriculture.
Sameer holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Sciences from Kings College based in London. Upon graduation, Sameer advanced his studies by pursuing a Masters of Science degree in Banking and International Finance from City University Business School, London.
The businessman was later employed at Merril Lynch International Bank Limited in October 2000, where he worked as an Investment Analyst. After a three-year tenure, Sameer joined his father's company, Sameer Investments Limited, in March 2003.
Seeking to walk in his father's footsteps, Sameer rose to become the company's CEO. He pursued other business investments and is the chairman of Ryce East Africa Limited, Nandi Tea Estates Limited and Warren Enterprises Limited.
According to the company's website, Sameer is also a director of Sameer ICT Limited, Sameer Telkom Limited and Fidelity Shield Insurance Company Limited.
"Merali has extensive experience in strategic leadership, business initiation and development, corporate management, audit and risk management as well as prudent financial management and planning," reads part of his biography from the company's site.
Despite the wealth that he has amassed, Sameer is not one to shy away from sharing his expertise to young entrepreneurs. He has been a member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) Nairobi Chapter from 2006.
The organisation includes a number of young chief executives and experts who share their knowledge and expertise. It currently has approximately 29,000 members situated in more than 130 countries.
Sameer married Daisy Merali, with whom they bore two children, Reyna and Rivaan. His wife, unfortunately, passed away on February 26, 2020.
