The Kenyatta family is a prominent and wealthy family in Kenya that has played a significant role in the country’s politics and economy for decades.
The family is named after Jomo Kenyatta, who was Kenya’s first president and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
Jomo Kenyatta had four children; Peter Muigai Kenyatta, Margaret Kenyatta, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Anna Nyokabi Muthama.
Uhuru Kenyatta, Jomo’s son, is the former president of Kenya, having taken office in 2013 and re-elected in 2017.
The Kenyatta family is known for its business interests in a wide range of industries, including banking, real estate, agriculture, and media.
The family’s wealth and political power have led to accusations of corruption and nepotism, with some alleging that the family uses its influence to secure favorable government contracts and business deals.
Despite these criticisms, the Kenyatta family remains one of the most influential and powerful families in Kenya, with a significant impact on the country’s politics and economy.
Businesses owned by the Kenyatta Family
With a rich history dating back to the country’s independence in 1963, the family has been involved in various sectors of the economy.
This include politics, real estate, banking, and hospitality, among others.
In recent years, the family’s business empire has grown significantly, attracting both admiration and criticism from Kenyans and the international community.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the businesses owned by the Kenyatta family, their impact on Kenya’s economy, and the controversies surrounding their operations.
Education industry
The Kenyatta Family owns Peponi School, a private, co-educational boarding school located in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya.
It was founded in 1989 by Richard and Carol Kettlewell and is now owned by the Kenyatta family.
The school provides education for children aged 13 to 18 years and follows the British National curriculum leading to IGCSE and A-level qualifications.
Peponi School has a reputation for academic excellence, and its students consistently achieve excellent results in national and international exams.
The school also places a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities and offers a wide range of sporting, cultural and artistic activities for its students.
The school campus is spread over 40 acres of land and includes state-of-the-art facilities such as a modern library, science laboratories, music rooms, art studios, and sports facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a rugby pitch.
The school has a strong pastoral care system and provides a safe and supportive environment for its students.
Agriculture industry
Over the years, the Kenyatta family has shown a keen interest in investing in the agriculture industry locally.
With extensive land holdings and vast resources at their disposal, the family has made significant strides in modernizing and commercializing agriculture in the country.
Here is a simplified table on businesses in the agriculture sector owned by the Kenyatta Family.
Company | Description |
Brookside Group Ltd | Brookside Group Limited is a private limited company (Ltd.) company based in Brookside Collett Way Brunel Road, United Kingdom. |
Brookside Africa Ltd | Brookside is the leading diary in East Africa and has operations in more than 12 countries across 2 continents. |
Brookside Dairy Ltd | Brookside Dairies, is a dairy processing company in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community. The company offers fresh pasteurized milk, cream, butter, yogurt, ghee, and long life milk products. |
Illara Dairy | IllaraDiary is home to Tuzo, Molo Milk, Illara and Delamere products. The Kenyatta family owns 50% of the company, while Danone controls a 40% stake. The rest, 10%, is owned by The Abraaj Group. |
Gicheha Investments Ltd | - |
Gicheha Holdings Ltd (Gicheha Farm Ruiru) | Gicheha farm is an expansive ranch along Thika Road that hosts President Kenyatta’s family company, Brookside Limited. |
Media industry
The Kenyatta Family has made significant investments in various sectors of the economy, including the media industry.
Over the years, the family has acquired a significant stake in several media companies, giving them a substantial influence on the country’s media landscape.
Below is a table on businesses in the media industry that is owned by the Kenyatta Family.
Company | Description |
Mediamax Network | Mediamax Network Ltd is a Kenyan media company that operates a number of media outlets across various platforms, including television, radio, print, and digital media. |
Kameme FM | Kameme FM is a Kenyan vernacular radio station that broadcasts in the Kikuyu language. |
Kameme TV | Kameme TV is a Kenyan television station owned by MediaMax Network Limited. It is a popular Kikuyu-language station that broadcasts news, current affairs, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle programs. |
K24 TV | K24 TV is a television station in Kenya that provides news, current affairs, and entertainment programming. It is part of the Mediamax Network, a media company owned by the Kenyatta family. |
People Daily | People Daily Kenya was founded in 2008, and it is owned by Mediamax Network Limited. The newspaper covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, sports, entertainment, and current affairs. |
Nara FM | - |
Milele FM | Milele FM is a popular Swahili-language radio station based in Nairobi, Kenya. It broadcasts a variety of programming, including news, music, talk shows, and religious programs, among others. |
Maiyan FM | Mayian FM is a broadcast radio station from Narok, Kenya, providing community, news, information, talk shows and entertaining programs. |
Emoo FM | Emoo FM tells the beauty and diverse culture of the Kalenjin community, the running culture, and the underlying issues of Rift Valley. |
Msenagu FM | Msenagu FM is a coast-based radio station addressing the authentic needs, issues and aspirations of the coastal people. |
Meru FM | Meru FM is local radio station located in Nairobi, Kenya and it's belong for Mediamax Network Limited - Ngwataniro ya Ameru. |
Financial services
With a net worth estimated at over $1 billion, the Kenyatta family has been expanding its portfolio by acquiring stakes in various financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and asset management firms.
The family’s investments in the financial sector have not only brought significant returns but also strengthened their position as one of the most influential families in the country.
Here is a simplified table on financial services businesses owned by the Kenyatta Family.
Company | Description |
NCBA Group PLC | NCBA Group Plc, is a financial services conglomerate in East and West Africa. The Group's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, with subsidiaries in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Ivory Coast. |
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC | NCBA Bank Kenya PLC, is a commercial bank in Kenya. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya, the country's central bank and national banking regulator. |
NCBA Investment Bank Ltd | NCBA Investment Bank is the wholly-owned investment banking subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, created to offer financial solutions cutting across advisory, investments, and brokerage services. |
NCBA Bancassurance Intermediary Ltd | Bancassurance is a partnership between banks and insurance companies. In this case, NCBA Bancassurance intermediary limited has partnered with Old Mutual to develop a medical cover called NCBA Thrive. |
Mining industry
The family expanded its portfolio to include investments in the mining industry.
With vast natural resources and untapped potential, the mining sector presents an opportunity for the Kenyatta family to diversify its investments.
Check out businesses in the mining industry owned by the Kenyatta Family below.
Company | Description |
Gituamba Stones Ltd | Gituamba Stones Ltd is a home and construction company involved in mining and management of quarries. |
Kenya Clay Products Ltd | Kenya Clay Products Ltd is leading manufacturer of quality baked clay building products in Kenya. The company's products are categorized into roofing tiles, bricks, maxpans, quarry floor tiles and others. |
Hospitality industry
Kenya’s hospitality industry has been expanding rapidly over the past few years, and one of the key players driving this growth is the Kenyatta family.
With a diverse portfolio of investments in this sector, ranging from luxurious hotels to top-notch restaurants and resorts, the family has established itself as a major force in the country’s hospitality industry.
Here is a simplified table of businesses in the hospitality industry owned by the Kenyatta Family.
Company | Description |
Heritage Holdings Ltd | - |
Heritage Management Ltd | Heritage Management Ltd is in charge of seven properties under different brand names. They are Mara Explorer, Mara Interpids, Samburu Interpids, Great Rift Valley Lodge, Kipungani Explorer, Voyager Beach Resort and Voyager Ziwani. |
New Bluepost Hotels | Blue Post Hotel is a tourist hotel that was started in 1908 located at the periphery of Murang'a County, on its border with Kiambu County. |
Real Estate industry
Among the key players in Kenya’s real estate sector is the Kenyatta family.
With vast experience in business and politics, the family has made significant investments in the real estate industry, owning a considerable stake in some of the most prestigious properties in Kenya.
The Kenyatta Family owns Koto Housing Kenya Ltd, established in 2014 as an affordable housing and building solutions provider using alternative building technology.
The Kenyatta Family also owns Northlands City Ltd, an 11,000-acre mixed-use estate comprising residential, industrial, and commercial units hosting about 250,000 people.
The land is owned by the Kenyatta Family and is currently occupied by its dairy processor Brookside, and Gicheha Farm – the family’s livestock rearing business.
Uhuru Kenyatta presidency
Uhuru Kenyatta is a Kenyan politician who has served as the fourth president of Kenya since April 2013.
He was re-elected in 2017 and served his second term which ended in 2022.
Kenyatta was born on October 26, 1961, in Nairobi, Kenya.
He is the son of Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, and was educated in Kenya and the United States.
Kenyatta began his career in politics in 1997, when he was elected as a member of parliament for Gatundu South constituency.
In 2002, Kenyatta was appointed Minister of Local Government and later served as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister under former President Mwai Kibaki.
He then ran for president in 2013, and was declared the winner of the election in March of that year, defeating his closest rival Raila Odinga.
During his presidency, Kenyatta has focused on a number of key issues, including the fight against corruption, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and job creation.
He has also played a key role in regional diplomacy, particularly in efforts to resolve conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia.
However, Kenyatta’s presidency has also been marked by controversy.
His government has been accused of human rights violations, including the use of excessive force by security forces during protests, and the intimidation and harassment of opposition figures.
There have also been concerns about his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including allegations of corruption in the procurement of medical supplies.
FAQ
Who is the Kenyatta family?
The Kenyatta family is a prominent family in Kenya, whose patriarch was Jomo Kenyatta, the country’s first president. The family is known for its political and business influence in the country.
What businesses are owned by the Kenyatta family?
Some of the businesses owned by the Kenyatta family include Brookside Dairy, Heritage Hotels, Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Mediamax Group, and NCBA Bank.
What is Brookside Dairy?
Brookside Dairy is a leading dairy processing company in Kenya. It is owned by the Kenyatta family and has a dominant market share in the country’s dairy industry.
What is Heritage Hotels?
Heritage Hotels is a luxury hotel chain in Kenya. It is owned by the Kenyatta family and has several properties across the country, including beach resorts and safari lodges.
What is Mediamax Group?
Mediamax Group is a media company in Kenya. It is owned by the Kenyatta family and operates several television and radio stations, as well as a newspaper.
How influential is the Kenyatta family in Kenya?
The Kenyatta family is one of the most influential families in Kenya, with significant political and business influence.
The family’s businesses are among the largest and most successful in the country, and their political connections have played a significant role in shaping Kenya’s political landscape over the years.
What does NCBA bank deal with?
NCBA Bank Kenya, whose full name is NCBA Bank Kenya Plc, is a commercial bank in Kenya.
It is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya, the country’s central bank and national banking regulator.