Chris Kirubi: Inside Kenya’s Largest Banana Plantation Late Billionaire Owned
- Billionaire Chris Kirubi quietly established Kenya’s largest banana plantation on his 1,000-acre farm in Thika
- In a past interview, he proudly revealed his passion for agriculture, with footage showing rows of banana plants and a processing area
- Though best known for his boardroom success, Kirubi’s farming venture reflected his belief in diversification and long-term investment in food security
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Billionaire investor Chris Kirubi’s legacy lives on through his expansive business empire and a little-known but impressive agricultural venture in Thika.
Source: UGC
Born in the Lake Naivasha region, Kirubi overcame a difficult childhood to become one of Kenya’s most respected entrepreneurs.
His passion for education, work ethic, and vision for growth extended beyond boardrooms and into the soil of Thika.
Who owns Kenya's biggest banana plantation?
Years before his passing in June 2021, Kirubi, known for his sharp business acumen and high-profile investments, quietly built what is believed to be Kenya’s largest banana plantation at Bendor Farm.
Spanning about 1,000 acres, the farm features a dedicated 250 to 300 acres under banana cultivation.
In a 2020 interview on the Churchill Show, the industrialist revealed his deep interest in farming, stating that no one else in Kenya had a banana plantation as vast as his.
Source: Youtube
Footage from the visit showed endless rows of banana plants and workers hauling large bunches to a central processing area.
Crisscrossed by dirt paths and anchored by a man-made dam, Lake Kirubi, which occupies 15 acres, the farm was as meticulously managed as any of his corporate ventures.
While bananas were the primary crop, Kirubi also planted avocados for export on other parts of the land. Though lesser known, the venture highlighted the billionaire’s belief in diversification and long-term investment in food security.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Chris Onyancha, a small-scale banana farmer in Nyamira county, said that the crop is profitable and growing it is not labour-intensive.
“I have taken my children to school and built my home by growing bananas. The initial startup cost is high because of digging the holes for growing bananas, but it’s a breeze afterward. I use compost manure from my cattle and apply it every six months.”
Onyancha noted that another key aspect of growing bananas is pruning to ward off insects and pests.
Inside Charles Owino's fish farm
Source: UGC
In other news, former police spokesperson Charles Owino found success in aquaculture through his fish venture, Western Aqua Fish Farm, located along the Busia-Kisumu Road.
After stepping away from politics, Owino focused on fish farming, inspired by a visit to Uganda 12 years ago.
His farm specialises in hatching and selling fingerlings, mainly tilapia and catfish, to local farmers.
The facility includes nursery tanks, hatcheries, and protective nets to shield fish from predators.
Despite challenges like high feed costs and market fluctuations, the venture remains profitable. The farm aims to support fish farmers across the region with quality fingerlings and practical aquaculture knowledge.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
