Former Machakos Senator Johnson Nduya Muthama entered national politics in 2007 after winning the Kangundo parliamentary seat. Since then, he has become one of the most influential figures in the Ukambani region as well as across the country.
For instance, he is the founding chairman of the ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which was the vehicle President William Ruto used to reach State House.
Indeed, Muthama is a key political figure in the country, even though he served in the Senate for only one term and has not held an elective post since.
Beyond the political arena, Muthama has made multi-billion investments in agriculture, mining, and real estate. Times Digital Kenya looks at some of the multimillion-shilling companies that have built his wealth and status, ranking him among the richest people in Ukambani.
Rock Land Kenya limited
Being a prominent investor in the gemstone industry, Muthama owns the largest landholding of Rockland Kenya Limited, which specializes in mining and exporting rubies, gold, and garnets.
In addition, the company also deals in other gemstones, especially from the Taita Taveta region.
The company has been in operation for decades, holding special mining leases, though it has faced legal disputes over export licenses in recent years. Rockland Kenya Limited is one of Muthama’s key sources of income.
Muthama Gemstone
Muthama Gemstone (K) Ltd is one of the former senator’s key business entities, with him serving as its executive chairman.
Initially, Muthama Gemstone started off by purchasing rubies worth millions from Rockland Kenya, which was then owned by John Saul.
In 1992, Saul transferred all ruby pits in Kenya from Rockland International Corporation to Rockland Kenya and wound up all operations in the country.
Muthama Gemstone signed an agreement with Creative Gems & Jewelry to buy all rubies from Rockland Kenya in the 1990s.
