Richest Kikuyus in Kenya
It’s a topic that is discussed quietly in public and loudly in our bedrooms and living rooms. Why do the Kikuyu dominate over several sectors of Kenyan life?
Most say that the Kikuyu’s success in business is undoubtedly an extension of the Kenyatta presidency’s perks.
However others also acknowledge that the Kikuyu people are very hardworking business people hence dominating most of the enterprises in Kenya.
Along with being ambitious, they also know how to look for chances. One of their secrets is that they don’t spend a lot, and they also think that every shilling counts.
In regards to this, Times Digital will look at the top 10 richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
List of the 10 richest Kikuyu people and families
Chris Kiburi family
The Kirubi family, noted for their vast wealth and influence, continues to secure their place as one of Kenya’s and the larger East African region’s wealthiest families.
Court documents from 2022 state that the late businessman Chris Kirubi of Kenya built up a varied empire valued at around kshs 20 billion ($140 million).
Kirubi was well known for his intelligent financial decisions and he also held significant holdings in a number of sectors.
Some of the investment of the late tycoon Kirubi have majored in various sectors which include manufacturing, insurance, media and real estate, making him one of the most prosperous investors in Kenya.
Kirubi was well-known for his astute investments and economic acumen, and he had large stakes in a variety of industries, including media, manufacturing, property management, insurance, and investments, establishing himself as one of the country’s most successful investors. His substantial wealth was derived from his stock stakes in key Kenyan enterprises.
Kenyatta family
It is with no doubt that the Kenyatta family is among the richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
This is evident as the family reportedly gained more wealth and huge tracts of land during the tenure of mzee Jomo Kenyatta as president.
His widow, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, is credited for supervising the family’s development into numerous areas, including financial services, dairy processing, hotels, real estate, media, and others.
The family has stakes in almost every industry, including banking through shares in the NCBA Group PLC, tourism through Heritage hotels, mining, insurance, airlines, education, agriculture, real estate, and energy. As per Forbes, the family of the founding father also controls over 500,000 acres of land across the country.
Kenyatta family net worth is currently estimated at $1 billion. Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s fourth president, has a reportedlya net worth of around $500m.
Charles Njonjo
Njonjo came from a wealthy family family, however his numerous roles in government earned him a large fortune. He is said to be one of Kenya’s wealthiest men, and with no doubt one of the richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
Charles Njonjo net worth is difficult to evaluate, however some of his properties include the Sankara Hotel, a mall in Runda, and interests in CFC Holdings, among many other houses and cars. Although few have entered Charles Njonjo’s home, it is no secret that he has a penchant for nice goods and lives like a king.
S.K Macharia
S.K. Macharia is a media tycoon who owns the largest radio network in Kenya, with a total listenership estimated at 70% of all Kenyans far ahead of the next private owned radio station in Kenya.
He owns Royal Media services which houses Citizen TV, Radio Citizen, Inooro TV, Inooro FM, Musyi FM among many more media stations. SK Macharia net worth is believed to be in excess of KSh 40 billion.
Jimmy Wanjigi
Jimmy Wanjigi is one of Kenya’s most reclusive citizens, living a centered and controlled existence away from the public eye. He entered the public eye shortly after the death of a business mogul, Jacob Juma, which drew his name into speculation that he is a member of a cult. Jimmy Wanjigi has funded various political parties, the most prominent of which being the NASA Coalition and jubilee party.
He has a large number of properties throughout the country, including a five-acre palatial house on Muthaiga Road. He also has a property in Zurich and a flat in Park Lane, London. He also has a fleet of high-end vehicles and aircraft. Jimmy Wanjigi net worth is an estimated $100-300million.
William Kabogo
The former Kiambu Governor without no doubt is one of the richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
The flamboyant politician has claimed on numerous occasions that he is a very wealthy man who is not afraid to flaunt his wealth.
However, for a long time, members of the public questioned how the former Kiambu governor made his billions, which were tied to drug trafficking claims. William Kabogo net worth is an estimated $40-100million.
Rigathi Gachagua
During a past public interview, Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua publicly admitted that he is wealthy Sh800 million, but according to investigators, more than 12 billion flowed through his accounts between 2013 and 2017.
Wangui Ngirici’s husband, Andrew Ngirici
Andrew Peter Ngirici, a billionaire businessman, is no stranger to the realm of controversy in Kenya.
The mogul is known to be one of the wealthiest people in the country, and he dominated headlines few years ago when he claimed to have more money than the Central Bank of Kenya.
Andrew Ngirici net worth is an estimated $30million making him one of the richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
Kimani Kihika family
The kihika family is among the richest Kikuyus in Kenya. Dickson Kimani kihika was a prominent Kenyan politician during the administrations of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi. He was recognized for his sense of humour and his forthright remarks on a variety of national topics. The former MP was renowned as a prideful man who always had an answer ready for any question or remark. Above all, his family is among the wealthiest is the country.
Njenga Karume
Karume was a businessman as well as a cabinet minister. He was well known for his great wealth, which amounted to millions of dollars. Njenga Karume net worth is estimated to be $200 million dollars and this definitely makes him one of the richest Kikuyus in Kenya.
