For years, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga established himself as a key political figure in Kenya, enjoying huge support across the country.
In addition to his political career, he also invested in various businesses that earned him a substantial income. Following his death, Raila’s businesses could not be left unattended; thus, they are now managed by his family members.
Here are three of the business ventures that Raila Odinga left behind following his passing in October 2025.
East African Spectre Limited
In 1971, Raila established one of his major business ventures, a Nairobi-based company that produces LPG cylinders, East African Spectre. Raila introduced this product at a time when many Kenyans were using firewood and charcoal, offering a solution to the cooking problems of Kenyans at the time.
According to past interviews, Raila sold his old car for about KSh 12,000 to establish East African Spectre, and spearheaded its wide growth, to the level of serving the East Africa LPG market. Today, even though Raila is no more, this company remains a fruitful venture that generates income for the family.
Spectre International
Associated with East African Spectre, Raila decided to diversify into agro-processing by establishing Spectre International, a plant for producing molasses. To tap into Kenya’s sugar economy, this plant started to process the byproducts of sugarcane.
As Raila’s involvement in politics took a big part of his life, he shifted the management of this venture to close family members, who later diversified the company’s portfolio to real estate investment, especially in Kisumu.
Kango Enterprises Ltd
Raila founded this little-known holding company with the aim of using it to facilitate discreet family investments. The company has so far diversified holdings into various entities, such as real estate projects and construction among others.
This company, co-owned by Raila and his wife Ida, managed the family’s wealth under his stewardship until he plunged himself deep into Kenya’s politics.
While facing exile threats and politically instigated arrests, Raila entrusted the leadership of Kango to the family. Today, while Raila is no more, this business venture continues to run.
While Raila Odinga was popularly known for his political career, he secretly ran multimillion-dollar business ventures behind the curtains, revealing a pragmatic businessman beyond mere politics.
