While most businesses in Kenya are family-owned, many of them do not last three generations and in many cases, this is attributed to lack of succession planning by their founders.
Most of these businesses fail because of family wrangles that arise when the principal founders die or are incapacitated. However, some of these entities have grown into successful entities even after the exit of their founders.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at family-owned businesses that have stood the test of time and the people behind them.
Comcraft Group
This is among the companies that are owned by industrialist, philanthropist and billionaire Manu Chandaria.
Founded in 1951, Comcraft Group has a presence in more than 40 countries where it produces steel, plastics, and aluminium products.
The company is reported to be worth over USD1.7 billion (approximately Ksh192 billion with the current exchange rate).
Chandaria's son, Neal, an alumnus of the prestigious Stanford University, California, has been the point man for the company in Asia and Europe for over 20 years.
Ramco Group
This is a conglomerate of over 50 companies operating within East Africa that focus on six main sectors: print, hardware, manufacturing, office supplies, services and property.
Ramco Group was founded by Rambhai Patel in 1948 and started out as a hardware store in Nairobi before expanding to Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. It currently employs over 4,000 people and records an annual turnover in excess of USD300 million (Ksh34 billion).
The company is managed by Patel's six children led by Kirit Patel - who is the Chairman of the multinational enterprise.
Naivas Supermarket
This is the largest supermarket chain in Kenya with 80 outlets as of January 2022.
Naivas was founded by Peter Mukuha Kago in 1992 in Rongai on the outskirts of Nakuru town.
The founder passed on the business to his children who have grown it into the giant retail chain it is today.
The company is managed by the founder's grandchildren; Willy Kimani (Chief Commercial Officer) and Peter Mukuha (Chief Operating Officer).
ICEA Lion Group
Former Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor the late Philip Ndegwa formed First Chartered Securities in 1974 which acquired Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) that later became ICEA Lion Group.
The company, which has a presence in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, owns property and shares worth billions of shillings across the continent.
ICEA Lion Group is managed by Ndegwa's sons James and Andrew.
Bidco Group
The company, which deals in edible oils, fats, margarine, laundry bars and detergents, personal care products, animal feeds, food and beverages, was founded by Bhimji Depar Shah in 1985.
A report released by Forbes in 2014 indicated that Bidco had a 49 per cent stake of the edible oils market in Kenya.
The company is currently run by Shah's sons, Vimal and Tarun.
