List of Richest People from Trans Nzoia County, Their Businesses and Properties
- Trans Nzoia county in Kenya's North Rift region is home to several wealthy businessmen and politicians with diverse businesses
- Among them is Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) chairman Kiprono Kittony, who is the son of former KANU strongwoman Zipporah Kittony
- Ibrahim Abwere, who owns several properties in Kitale and other towns, rose from rags to riches, having worked as a casual worker
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Trans Nzoia county in Kenya's North Rift region is known as the country's food basket because of its extensive production of the country's staple food, with maize being dominant.
Source: Twitter
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The residents also depend significantly on other cash crops such as sugarcane, dairy, and tea farming.
Like other areas, the county is home to several millionaires and billionaires.
Who are the richest people from Trans Nzoia?
1. Khetia family
The Khetia family is arguably the richest in the region as they own a chain of supermarkets under the Khetia's brand.
Khetia's Supermarket became one of the biggest retail chains in Kenya after merging with Trushar Khetia's Society Stores.
Khetias Drapers Limited (KDL) started from humble beginnings in 1982 in Kitale's Laini Moja, with a modest store.
To popularise the business, they hawked household goods to residents using a pickup.
In 1994, the retailer under the management of Ashok Khetia established its first branch in Bungoma, and they say the rest is history.
It has since expanded to 23 outlets nationwide.
"We currently have 23 branches countrywide and counting. We built this business from scratch using our hard-earned money. We opened the latest branch in Webuye, Bungoma county. We will continue to monitor the economic and political trends in the country and this will inform our expansion drive," Ashok Khetia, the director told TUKO.co.ke.
Source: Facebook
2. Ibrahim Ambwere
Ambwere's life story is a prime example of the rags-to-riches narrative, as he overcame extreme poverty and illiteracy to establish an empire worth millions of shillings.
He initially worked as a sweeper and a mason for an Indian businessman who later sold his properties at a throwaway price after relocating from Kenya.
Source: UGC
Who Owns Kenya reported that his breakthrough came in the 1970s when he secured a tender to supply beds to Kaimosi Hospital.
He earned good money and started buying prime land in several western Kenyan towns.
Currently, he owns business premises in Kisumu, Kakamega, Chavakali, and Kitale, and resides in Kitale.
3. Kittony family
Zipporah Kittony, the retired KANU strongwoman's family has interests in media, hospitality, and farming.
Her son, Kiprono Kittony, is one of the shareholders of Radio Africa Group, which owns Kiss FM, Classic 105, Star Newspaper, and Radio Jambo.
The Kittony family owns the opulent Cranes Haven Resort, Sirwo Resort, and Cranes suites in Trans-Nzoia County.
Kittony, the chairman of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is the brains behind Sirwo farm.
He keeps cattle, bees, and plants tea and coffee on the estate.
4. Moses Kiptanui
Retired athlete Moses Kiptanui is a native of Cherangany constituency and is the owner of about 100 acres of dairy farmland.
As an expert in dairy farming, the former 3000-meter steeplechase champion breeds over 100 cows on his farm, gets good returns, with the least cows giving 15 litres of milk.
He ventured into the real estate industry through the Komora Centre building in Eldoret's main stage.
Kiptanui also owns a chain of supermarkets in Eldoret, Kachibora and Cherangany under the Tulin brand.
5. Allan Chesang
Trans Nzoia senator Allan Chesang is among the county's wealthiest individuals.
Source: Facebook
Chesang revealed that he earned his first million from playing table tennis for Kenya in a competition in Congo Brazzaville.
He disclosed he later signed a contract with a French team, earning a six-figure salary.
The politician runs a chain of clubs in Nairobi, Thika, and Meru under the Club Blend brand.
Additionally, he is associated with the Garage Club in Thika and the Craft Lounge in Westlands.
In addition, the businessman runs Uplift Express, a clearing and forwarding company.
Who are the richest people from Machakos?
In related news, TUKO.co.ke also listed the wealthiest businessmen and politicians from Machakos county.
Mike Sonko, the former governor of Nairobi, disclosed his estimated net worth and properties.
Former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama is another local politician who has invested in several sectors of the economy.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
