When it comes to the richest people in Kenya, the Kikuyu community reigns supreme.
But did you know that there are very rich people from the Luhya community?
Well, here are the top 10 richest Luhyas right now:
1. Julius Mwale
Julius Mwale is the richest Luhya, by far.
His wealth is estimated to be worth more than Ksh 10 billion.
He is a New York-based billionaire who hails from Butere in Kakamega County.
He became a popular name in Kenya after building a Ksh 250 billion technology city in Butere, which includes the Hamptons Hospital with a capacity of 5000 people.
He shocked the business fraternity in Kenya by bidding Ksh 27 billion to take over Mumias Sugar.
He is the founder of SBA Technologies Company, which focuses on the provision of wireless communications infrastructures.
2. Musalia Mudavadi
Musalia Mudavadi is the current Prime cabinet Secretary.
In a recent vetting exercise with the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, he said he is worth Ksh 4 billion.
His wealth portfolio includes:
- Income sources: His salary as the prime cabinet secretary is more than Ksh 1 million, including allowances.
- He also gets income from rental properties, and shares in companies, including Absa and first Insurance, which brings him good dividends each year.
- Additionally, he gets income from helicopter rentals.
- His wealth portfolio also includes a fleet of expensive cars, and land in western and various parts of the country.
3. Ibrahim Ambwere
He is famously known for offering to bail out the government (Ksh 48 million) to pay striking teachers for delayed payments.
His wealth portfolio includes vast pieces of land in various parts of western Kenya, commercial buildings like Ambwere Plaza, Amberw Furaha, Ambwere Towers and Ambwere complex.
He is estimated to be worth more than Ksh1 billion.
4. Francis Atwoli
Francis Atwoli is the current Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU).
He has served in that position since his election in 2001.
Francia Atwoli is one of the richest Luhyas alive. He is worth Ksh 1 billion.
His wealth comes from his salary (Ksh 5 million per month), which he has invested in property, businesses, and high-end cars.
His known property is his exquisite mansion in Kajiado, which boasts a 300-capacity capacity restaurant, a 100-car capacity parking lot, well-maintained lawns, a helipad, and numerous guest rooms.
His fleet of high-end vehicles includes a Mercedes Maybach 6 Cabriolet, and a Mercedes Benz S300 Model, which are estimated to be worth Ksh 600 million.
5. Moody Awori
Moody Awori is worth around Ksh 624 million.
He got his wealth from his long political career, including becoming the vice president after the death of Kijana Wamalwa.
He owns properties in Nairobi including the disputed 134-acre land in Karen, the Prof Nelson Awori Centre and his splendid Lavington Muthangari home.
Information about his businesses and vehicle collection is not available in the public domain.
6. Moses Wetangula
Moses Wetangula is the current speaker of the National Assembly.
It is believed that he is worth more than Ksh 600 million.
He is an entrepreneur as well as a politician.
He owns several properties in Syokimau and Ngong Road.
He still has stakes in the advocacy firm Wetangula, Adan, Makokha & Company.
7. Wycliffe Oparanya
The former Kakamega governor is worth about Ksh 600 million, which accumulated throughout his political career.
Among the properties he owns include his Butere home, flats in Kiambu County, Kahawa Wendani, and Umoja, St John Manor Hotel, several pieces of land in Kakamega, and a fleet of luxury cars.
8. Eugene Wamalwa
One of the wealthiest people in Western Kenya is politician and entrepreneur Eugene Wamalwa.
He disclosed his fortune to the committee when he was appointed Cabinet Secretary, indicating that he was worth Ksh 400 million.
He stated that he wasn’t in it for the money but rather to serve Kenyans when Aden Duale questioned why he wanted the job since he was worth so much.
Eugene Wamalwa is the owner of numerous homes, vast amounts of land, and a successful law business.
Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda, was in fact represented by his law company in 2001.
9. Philip Arunga O. Kisa.
He is the managing director of Urgent Cargo Handling LTD, a business founded in 1985.
The logistics company has its main office in Nairobi, Dundee House, County Ln.
It also has satellite offices in Malaba Busia, Namanga, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and on the border between Kenya and Uganda.
It also has branches in Mombasa and the JKIA.
The honor-winning business provides services for warehousing, brokerage, air and sea freight, transportation, and freight terminals.
10. Cleophas Shimanyula
Businessman Cleophas Shimanyula, also known as Toto, is one of a select few residents of Kakamega County who enjoy tremendous power and influence as a result of his enormous fortune and diverse investments.
He has accumulated a fortune and made investments in the real estate, football, construction, and farming industries.
He is worth about Ksh 400 million.
