In Kenya, women have increasingly become significant players in the country’s wealth landscape. According to the 2019 Knight Frank wealth report, 25 women ranked among over 125 billionaires in Kenya. Some of these women built their fortunes through hard work, entrepreneurship, and strategic investments, while others expanded family-owned businesses. The Kenya Revenue Authority’s 2017 billionaire taxpayers list identified three women, highlighting the growing prominence of women in Kenya’s economy.
1. Mama Ngina Kenyatta
Mama Ngina Kenyatta, former first lady and mother of President Uhuru Kenyatta, tops the list of Kenya’s wealthiest women. She has diverse investments across real estate, banking, hospitality, and agriculture. Her holdings include Brookside Dairy, Media Max Ltd, Heritage Group of Hotels, Timsale Holdings, Beta Health Care, and over KSh 6.6 billion in NCBA PLC shares. She also owns tea plantations and sisal farms, as well as a 13,000-hectare ranch in Kiambu County. Her estimated net worth exceeds $1 billion (KSh 110 billion).
2. Jane Wanjiru Michuki
Jane Michuki, managing partner at Kimani & Michuki Advocates, holds significant shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, including a 9.5% stake in Britam Insurance worth over KSh 4.5 billion. She holds law degrees from the University of Nairobi and the University of Warwick.
3. Tabitha Karanja
Tabitha Karanja and her husband founded Keroche Breweries in 1997 with a KSh 500,000 capital. The company is now Kenya’s second-largest alcoholic beverage producer, valued at over KSh 8.5 billion.
4. Jane Wangui Njuguna
Jane Njuguna, spouse of Equity Group’s managing director James Mwangi, controls a 1.62% stake in Equity Bank worth over KSh 3 billion. She co-owns Filimbi Ltd and holds shares in Britam Insurance.
5. Leah Wanjiku Muguku
After her husband’s death in 2010, Leah Wanjiku Muguku managed the Muguku Poultry Farm, transforming it into a multi-billion enterprise with hatchery, dairy, and orchard operations. She also owns a KSh 3 billion mall in Karen.
6. Catherine Nyongesa
Catherine Nyongesa founded Texas Cancer Centre in 2010, providing oncology services to over 18,000 patients. She was listed among high-net-worth women by KRA in 2017.
Other wealthy women
Other notable women include Esther Muchemi (Samchi Group), Sadhna Thakrar (Naiya Indian Fashions), Mary Okello (Makini Group of Schools, sold for KSh 1 billion), and Zipporah Gathuya (consultant anaesthetist with annual income between KSh 350 million and KSh 1 billion).
By tuko