As millions
of Kenyans continue wallowing in poverty, a handful of others are swimming in
billions of shillings and eating life with a big spoon.
Kenya is East
Africa’s largest economy with this earning the country its moniker, East Africa’s
economic hub.
The country
has a GDP of US$98.264 billion and per capita GDP of US$1,991 making it the
65th largest economy in the world.
Few Billionaires and Majority Poor
Despite these big numbers being thrown about by the IMF, only a few people can enjoy the so-called economic growth.
According to
the Forbes magazine, there is not a single dollar billionaire in Kenya as yet
but those who feature as the richest Kenyans have appeared severally as their
wealth keeps growing.
The country has
fast become a money launderers’ paradise as the political elite seek to clean money
stolen from public coffers to finance their campaigns and lifestyles.
This money
also enables them to buy loyalty from voters who become voting zombies during
elections.
Despite the
fact that most politicians are known to have been caught with their hand in the
cookie jar, Kenyans-at least the majority- rarely question why those who steal
from them keep rising to higher political offices.
Just
recently, the questionably
wealthy have been appointed
to public office with total disregard to the millions of youths who are seeking
after jobs which are non-existent.
This is
unless they are politically
connected or they have godfathers who can guide their hand in civil service
employment.
The sum of it
all is that most politicians are rich but the question remains how they made their
money.
A few years
ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that wealth declaration would be part of the
vetting process for those seeking public office but this remains just a wayside
pronouncement.
Kenya’s questionably rich politicians
As mentioned
earlier, most Kenyan politicians are wealthy but questions linger over how they
made the money they claim is theirs.
Among those
who keep ranking in the rich people list include the Moi Family whose influence
in the political circles remains deeply entrenched in Kenya.
The Moi
family is estimated to be worth Ksh 300 billion (USD3 billion) although this is
a conservative estimate since the actual value cannot be ascertained.
This family
has several companies with investments in every aspect of Kenya’s economy.
Moi’s wealth not localised in Kenya but it is spread across the world
especially in Europe.
Due to the
secrecy surrounding this family’s wealth, it is safe to say that the numbers
could be grossly understated by the Forbes listing. Despite this, the family remains
one of the richest in Kenya and in the world.
The late Nicholas Biwott amassed his wealth as Moi’s right-hand man. The paranoid and secretive short man who was the ‘Total Man’ during Moi’s time. It is said that he called the shots in Moi’s government and that he was also instrumental in enriching the Moi family by cutting deals which enabled him to make a kill as well.
Biwott is
said to have owned prime properties not only in Kenya but also in Europe a
ranch in Australia. This was however denied during the funeral service of the
man who controversially acquired Yaya Centre. Biwott also Air Kenya among other
ventures.
The total man
is reported to be worth USD1 billion by the Nigerian-based Venture magazine.
Despite his death, as a politician and a key decision-maker, the impact of his actions will remain for a long time for Kenya’s beleaguered economy.
While she is
not a politician, the reclusive Mama Ngina Kenyatta is the president’s months
who wields a lot of influence in the political circles.
According to
the Nigerian financial magazine, Mama Ngina was the other dollar billionaire after
Biwott in a list that only had Naushad Merali and Manu Chandaria as the other
Kenyans.
Mama Ngina could
be the wealthiest Kenyan and the 25th richest on the continent with
an estimated fortune of Sh142 billion (USD1.65 billion).
Her wealth is
spread throughout the economy including banking, hospitality and the real estate
sectors.
Mama Ngina’s youngest son Uhuru happens to be Kenya’s fourth president who was instrumental in managing his family’s wealth.
Raila Odinga’ Wealth
He is
estimated to be worth USD500 million, making him one of the wealthiest Kenyans.
A not so
surprise appearance on this list is Raila Odinga who is basking in the glory of
the handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta. He is now part of the government and he is
estimated to be worth about USD250 million.
Raila has
interests in oil and gas, manufacturing and logistics.
His political influence has granted him a first-row seat in Kenya’s consecutive governments which has enabled him to grow his wealth to become one of the richest politicians in Kenya. Raila calls the shots and is among the most opportunistic when it comes to running Kenya.
This list is
not exhaustive but many other politicians like Deputy President William Ruto,
the flamboyant Mike Sonko, retired President Mwai Kibaki and others like Ali Hassan
Joho make the cut.
There are
hundreds or thousands more whose lives have changed by having been in politics
at one time or the other.
While old
money is rarely noticed, new money is loud and ‘parte after parte’ kind of. With this, only time will tell who was
rich genuinely and those who raided public coffers to enrich themselves.
Do you know anyone who should be on this list? Please share in the comments section below.
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Kenya
to Import Billionaires in Lucrative Citizenship Deal
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