Kenya is home to some of the wealthiest individuals in East Africa. These men have accumulated massive fortunes through investments in sectors such as banking, manufacturing, real estate, telecommunications, agriculture, and media. In this post, we take a closer look at the top 20 richest men in Kenya in 2025, including their estimated net worth and the industries that made them billionaires and multi-millionaires.
Understanding who the richest men in Kenya are and how they built their wealth can be a great source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. This list is based on publicly available financial data, company ownership, and investment patterns compiled and estimated by Forbes and other financial analysis platforms.
1. Moi Family - Estimated Net Worth: $3.2 Billion
The Moi family tops the list with diversified investments in education, agriculture, real estate, media (including KTN), and banking. The late President Daniel Arap Moi left a powerful financial legacy that continues through the family business empire.
2. Kenyatta Family - Estimated Net Worth: $2.7 Billion
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family control a vast fortune with interests in Brookside Dairy, NCBA Bank, Peponi School, and extensive landholdings. Their influence in both business and politics remains strong.
3. Manu Chandaria - Estimated Net Worth: $1.8 Billion
Manu Chandaria, a renowned industrialist, chairs the Comcraft Group, which operates in over 40 countries. His investments in steel, plastics, and aluminum manufacturing have brought him global recognition.
4. Sameer Merali - Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
Sameer Merali inherited a significant portion of the Sameer Group, a conglomerate involved in manufacturing, agriculture, finance, and telecommunications. His leadership continues to grow the family wealth.
5. Philip Ndegwa Family - Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
The Ndegwa family controls ICEA Lion Group, NCBA Bank shares, and various real estate developments. The late Philip Ndegwa was the former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya.
6. Bhimji Depar Shah - Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
Founder of Bidco Africa, Bhimji Depar Shah built one of the largest manufacturers of consumer goods in East Africa. His company produces edible oils, hygiene products, and beverages.
7. Vimal Shah - Estimated Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
As CEO and co-owner of Bidco Africa, Vimal Shah continues to expand the business his father started. His focus on sustainable manufacturing has attracted international partnerships and investments.
8. Narendra Raval (Guru) - Estimated Net Worth: $1 Billion
Narendra Raval, often referred to as "Guru," is the founder of the Devki Group. His company dominates the cement, steel, and aluminum industries in Kenya and beyond.
9. Nicholas Biwott Family - Estimated Net Worth: $1 Billion
The late Nicholas Biwott, a powerful businessman and politician, left a business empire that includes real estate, aviation, and agriculture. His family maintains control of his assets.
10. Peter Munga - Estimated Net Worth: $800 Million
Peter Munga is the founding chairman of Equity Bank, one of Africa's largest banks. His investments span agriculture, insurance, and education.
11. Chris Kirubi Family - Estimated Net Worth: $700 Million
Although Chris Kirubi passed away in 2021, his business legacy continues through his family. He owned Centum Investments, Capital FM, and major real estate projects like Two Rivers Mall.
12. S.K. Macharia - Estimated Net Worth: $600 Million
Samuel Kamau Macharia is the founder of Royal Media Services, the largest privately-owned media house in Kenya. He also has interests in transport and agriculture.
13. James Mwangi - Estimated Net Worth: $550 Million
James Mwangi is the CEO of Equity Group Holdings. He has played a key role in expanding the bank’s operations across Africa and has personal investments in real estate and education.
14. William Ruto - Estimated Net Worth: $530 Million
Kenya's current President, William Ruto, has investments in hospitality, agriculture, real estate, and shares in various companies. His financial portfolio grew significantly during his time in public service.
15. Raila Odinga - Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million
Raila Odinga is a veteran politician and businessman. He has stakes in energy, engineering, and real estate companies both locally and abroad.
16. John Harun Mwau - Estimated Net Worth: $450 Million
Harun Mwau is a former MP and businessman known for his investments in logistics, retail, and property. His financial empire spans across several East African countries.
17. Naushad Merali Family - Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
Though Naushad Merali passed away in 2021, his business ventures continue under his family’s guidance. He was a major shareholder in Sameer Africa, telecommunications, and finance.
18. Gideon Moi - Estimated Net Worth: $380 Million
Gideon Moi, son of the late President Moi, has personal investments in energy, insurance, and banking, alongside his share in the larger Moi family fortune.
19. Benson Wairegi - Estimated Net Worth: $300 Million
Benson Wairegi is the former CEO of Britam Holdings and has shares in the insurance and real estate sectors. His leadership helped grow Britam into a major financial institution.
20. Hassan Joho - Estimated Net Worth: $270 Million
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has investments in shipping, logistics, and construction. He is also a key player in the import/export business through the port of Mombasa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the richest man in Kenya in 2025?
The Moi family is considered the richest in Kenya in 2025, with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.
2. How did the Kenyatta family build their wealth?
The Kenyatta family built their wealth through strategic investments in dairy, banking, land, education, and media.
3. What is Bidco Africa known for?
Bidco Africa is a leading manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods such as cooking oil, soaps, and beverages.
4. Who is the richest individual in Kenya (not family)?
Manu Chandaria is often regarded as the richest individual in Kenya with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
5. Does President William Ruto have business interests?
Yes, William Ruto has investments in real estate, agriculture, and hospitality, among others.
6. What industries make the most billionaires in Kenya?
Banking, manufacturing, real estate, agriculture, and telecommunications are the top wealth-generating industries in Kenya.
7. Who owns Royal Media Services?
Royal Media Services is owned by S.K. Macharia, one of the wealthiest media moguls in Kenya.
8. Is Raila Odinga a businessman?
Yes, aside from politics, Raila Odinga has business interests in engineering, energy, and real estate.
9. How accurate are net worth estimates?
Net worth estimates are based on publicly available information, and while not always exact, they provide a close approximation.
10. Can new entrepreneurs make it to this list?
Yes, with strategic investments and innovation, it’s possible for new entrepreneurs to join the ranks of Kenya’s wealthiest.
This list of the top 20 richest men in Kenya in 2025 offers insight into the sources of wealth and the opportunities that exist in the Kenyan economy. While some of the wealth is inherited, many of
these individuals have built or expanded businesses that contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.
Tochukwu
7 hrs agoKenya is home to some of the wealthiest individuals in East Africa. These men have accumulated massive fortunes through investments in sectors such as banking, manufacturing, real estate, telecommunications, agriculture, and media. In this post, we take a closer look at the top 20 richest men in Kenya in 2025, including their estimated net worth and the industries that made them billionaires and multi-millionaires.
Understanding who the richest men in Kenya are and how they built their wealth can be a great source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. This list is based on publicly available financial data, company ownership, and investment patterns compiled and estimated by Forbes and other financial analysis platforms.
1. Moi Family - Estimated Net Worth: $3.2 Billion
The Moi family tops the list with diversified investments in education, agriculture, real estate, media (including KTN), and banking. The late President Daniel Arap Moi left a powerful financial legacy that continues through the family business empire.
2. Kenyatta Family - Estimated Net Worth: $2.7 Billion
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family control a vast fortune with interests in Brookside Dairy, NCBA Bank, Peponi School, and extensive landholdings. Their influence in both business and politics remains strong.
3. Manu Chandaria - Estimated Net Worth: $1.8 Billion
Manu Chandaria, a renowned industrialist, chairs the Comcraft Group, which operates in over 40 countries. His investments in steel, plastics, and aluminum manufacturing have brought him global recognition.
4. Sameer Merali - Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
Sameer Merali inherited a significant portion of the Sameer Group, a conglomerate involved in manufacturing, agriculture, finance, and telecommunications. His leadership continues to grow the family wealth.
5. Philip Ndegwa Family - Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
The Ndegwa family controls ICEA Lion Group, NCBA Bank shares, and various real estate developments. The late Philip Ndegwa was the former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya.
6. Bhimji Depar Shah - Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
Founder of Bidco Africa, Bhimji Depar Shah built one of the largest manufacturers of consumer goods in East Africa. His company produces edible oils, hygiene products, and beverages.
7. Vimal Shah - Estimated Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
As CEO and co-owner of Bidco Africa, Vimal Shah continues to expand the business his father started. His focus on sustainable manufacturing has attracted international partnerships and investments.
8. Narendra Raval (Guru) - Estimated Net Worth: $1 Billion
Narendra Raval, often referred to as "Guru," is the founder of the Devki Group. His company dominates the cement, steel, and aluminum industries in Kenya and beyond.
9. Nicholas Biwott Family - Estimated Net Worth: $1 Billion
The late Nicholas Biwott, a powerful businessman and politician, left a business empire that includes real estate, aviation, and agriculture. His family maintains control of his assets.
10. Peter Munga - Estimated Net Worth: $800 Million
Peter Munga is the founding chairman of Equity Bank, one of Africa's largest banks. His investments span agriculture, insurance, and education.
11. Chris Kirubi Family - Estimated Net Worth: $700 Million
Although Chris Kirubi passed away in 2021, his business legacy continues through his family. He owned Centum Investments, Capital FM, and major real estate projects like Two Rivers Mall.
12. S.K. Macharia - Estimated Net Worth: $600 Million
Samuel Kamau Macharia is the founder of Royal Media Services, the largest privately-owned media house in Kenya. He also has interests in transport and agriculture.
13. James Mwangi - Estimated Net Worth: $550 Million
James Mwangi is the CEO of Equity Group Holdings. He has played a key role in expanding the bank’s operations across Africa and has personal investments in real estate and education.
14. William Ruto - Estimated Net Worth: $530 Million
Kenya's current President, William Ruto, has investments in hospitality, agriculture, real estate, and shares in various companies. His financial portfolio grew significantly during his time in public service.
15. Raila Odinga - Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million
Raila Odinga is a veteran politician and businessman. He has stakes in energy, engineering, and real estate companies both locally and abroad.
16. John Harun Mwau - Estimated Net Worth: $450 Million
Harun Mwau is a former MP and businessman known for his investments in logistics, retail, and property. His financial empire spans across several East African countries.
17. Naushad Merali Family - Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
Though Naushad Merali passed away in 2021, his business ventures continue under his family’s guidance. He was a major shareholder in Sameer Africa, telecommunications, and finance.
18. Gideon Moi - Estimated Net Worth: $380 Million
Gideon Moi, son of the late President Moi, has personal investments in energy, insurance, and banking, alongside his share in the larger Moi family fortune.
19. Benson Wairegi - Estimated Net Worth: $300 Million
Benson Wairegi is the former CEO of Britam Holdings and has shares in the insurance and real estate sectors. His leadership helped grow Britam into a major financial institution.
20. Hassan Joho - Estimated Net Worth: $270 Million
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has investments in shipping, logistics, and construction. He is also a key player in the import/export business through the port of Mombasa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the richest man in Kenya in 2025?
The Moi family is considered the richest in Kenya in 2025, with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.
2. How did the Kenyatta family build their wealth?
The Kenyatta family built their wealth through strategic investments in dairy, banking, land, education, and media.
3. What is Bidco Africa known for?
Bidco Africa is a leading manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods such as cooking oil, soaps, and beverages.
4. Who is the richest individual in Kenya (not family)?
Manu Chandaria is often regarded as the richest individual in Kenya with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
5. Does President William Ruto have business interests?
Yes, William Ruto has investments in real estate, agriculture, and hospitality, among others.
6. What industries make the most billionaires in Kenya?
Banking, manufacturing, real estate, agriculture, and telecommunications are the top wealth-generating industries in Kenya.
7. Who owns Royal Media Services?
Royal Media Services is owned by S.K. Macharia, one of the wealthiest media moguls in Kenya.
8. Is Raila Odinga a businessman?
Yes, aside from politics, Raila Odinga has business interests in engineering, energy, and real estate.
9. How accurate are net worth estimates?
Net worth estimates are based on publicly available information, and while not always exact, they provide a close approximation.
10. Can new entrepreneurs make it to this list?
Yes, with strategic investments and innovation, it’s possible for new entrepreneurs to join the ranks of Kenya’s wealthiest.
This list of the top 20 richest men in Kenya in 2025 offers insight into the sources of wealth and the opportunities that exist in the Kenyan economy. While some of the wealth is inherited, many of
these individuals have built or expanded businesses that contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.