How 5 Kenyan Tycoons Became Billionaires With This One Job

Left to right: Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Billionaire Sam Mburu
Left to right: Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Billionaire Sam Mburu
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In an ideal world, there is practically nothing that Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika's husband Sam Mburu and Former Governor, William Kabogo have in common, other than the fact that they are all moneyed.

However, to get to the top, the five billionaires seemingly had the same cheatsheet and applied their technical know-how to succeed in one job, operating in freight services. A field that many others both before and after them failed to hack.

In this list, Kenyans.co.ke is featuring the country's wealthy Kenyans who made most of their wealth in the clearing and forwarding Industry.

1. Ali Hassan Joho

Governor Hassan Joho relaxing outside a palatial home
Governor Hassan Joho relaxing outside a palatial home
COURTESY

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has, for the last five years, sat atop the county's political field but that doesn't mean that he does not brush shoulders with Kenya's businessman to ensure that his freight company, Autoports Freight Terminals Ltd, stays afloat.

Rising from the streets of Mombasa, Joho joined the business world at an early age and started by hawking vitumbua (a popular coconut and rice vegan donut or pancake) to put food on the table.

He put in hardwork and earned a job as a clearing and forwarding agent at the Port of Mombasa. He made Ksh6.6 million in his first transaction, the largest amount of money he had ever handled since birth.

In August 2021, Joho's company bagged a ten-year deal to take over operations of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) cargo terminal in Nairobi.

2. Bundotich Buzeki

File image of Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich (Buzeki) addressing a past gathering
File image of Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich (Buzeki) addressing a past gathering
Daily Star

Gubernatorial aspirant Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop (Buzeki) is the typical grass to grace story after rising through the ranks from hawking in the streets of Mombasa to being a major player in the country's freight business.

"I am just a humble entrepreneur seeking political leadership as an agent of change to eradicate poverty in the region.

"I am a self-made individual who rose from a mere milk hawker in Mombasa to my current economic stature," he affirmed in a previous interview. He is now ranked among the wealthiest businessman in the country.

Today, the businessman cum politician is the proud owner of Buzeki Enterprises Ltd which handles cargo and rakes in billions of shillings annually in revenue.

The company, however, has had its fair share of challenges, after its former employees sued it demanding millions for unfair dismissal. The former employees were awarded Ksh2.8 million.

3. William Kabogo

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo slammed Uhurus' appointees in Kenya Power saga on Sartuday April 3
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo slammed Uhurus' appointees in Kenya Power saga on Sartuday April 3
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In the course of his career juggling multiple businesses and elective office, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has appeared on lists of the richest in the country.

In 2017, the tycoon was hard-pressed to explain where he gets the money to finance his political activities and he had just one answer, from his multiple business ventures.

Describing himself as an ‘International Business man’, Kabogo noted that he was involved in the importation of commodities and ran a clearing and forwarding company.

“I work, I’m a businessman, I build houses and sell. I have done that for many years, I am an international businessman," he stated.

Judging by his wealth, his business front has been working very well.

4. Harun Mwau

Kenyan billionaire and politician John Harun Mwau
Kenyan billionaire and politician John Harun Mwau.
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Businessman and former Kilome MP John Harun Mwau also have an extensive business venture that dominated the coastal importation industry.

For decades, the former lawmaker ran the Pepe Inland Port company that specialised in clearing and forwarding services.

The Pepe Company was authorised to forward goods to its premises by the state just like the inland container depot at Embakasi.

Mwau began his service as a police officer. While in his 20s, he served as an acclaimed squad sharpshooter.

During his career as a security agent, he twice participated in the Olympics during the 1968 and 1972 Summer games. He later amassed wealth and achieved billionaire status.

5. Sam Mburu

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika (left) and her husband Sam Mburu.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika (left) and her husband Sam Mburu.
File

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika's husband Sam Mburu is a little-known tycoon from the press but his wealth, including a clearing and forwarding company located in Mombasa, should very well place him on many Kenyans radar.

The tycoon runs the indomitable Landmark Freight Services which has its anchor shops in China (two) and another one at the port of Mombasa.

To get to the top, however, the tycoon started off as a humble soft-drinks distributor in Nakuru but his businesses have since accorded him a life of luxury.

He has high-end properties in several towns including Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kajiado among others.

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