For decades, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has been at the center of power brokerage and often appears on lists ranking wealthy Kenyans countrywide.
Having dropped out of school, however, the uncanny politician who dots the English language in his conversations did not let his childhood struggle deter him from achieving national greatness.
Born in 1954, Muthama immersed himself in the dirty mining pits and emerged with precious stones, most notably Ruby, that are more valuable than Gold.
He entered into the competitive industry during a visit to his uncle who worked in the Taita Taveta mines. At the time, he served as a teaboy.
During his time at the mines, the former lawmaker, and the current chair of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), gained invaluable experience in the lucrative business.
The Ruby mines were initially owned by a white settler and American Geologist identified as John Saul and was founded in 1974.
At the time, however, Saul had run-ins with the local government, then led by founding President Jomo Kenyatta who was of the view that foreigners should not be allowed to own mining pits.
After a tussle, the geologist, and another mining dealer Eliot Miller were deported from Kenya over claims that they were immigrants benefitting from Kenya's natural resources.
After Kenyatta's death, Saul, who owned Rockland International Corporation returned to exploit the then lucrative business but later sold the company to Muthama through a deal that would see him inherit the Ruby mines.
Renamed Rockland Kenya Limited, the company has since expanded its trade to include six other highly valued stones.
In an interview, Alice Muthama, the company's director revealed that the company deals in Aquamarine, Spinel, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, Amethsyt, Red Garnet and Colour Change Garnet. All the minerals are used in the manufacture of jewelry.
Muthama also seats at the helm of two other companies including Muthama Gemstone (K) Ltd and Nina Marie Ltd, a clothing retail venture.
The tycoon also has interests in the Gemstones industry across Africa and has spent close to 40 years in the trade. Kknown as a fine jewel, a gemstone is also a mineral crystal used to manufacture jewelry and adornments.
It comes in a variety of colours ranging from green to purple and yellow among others.
A Ruby is a red-coloured stone used to manufacture high-end jewelry and is beloved by the very rich worldwide but is extremely rare to find.
In Kenya, the precious stone is found in Kitui, Taita Taveta, Baringo, Kwale and West Pokot.
