A typical example within our country, are people of the likes of Chris Kirubi, one of Africa’s richest and most successful businessmen. He has that rare blend of Donald Trump, Jeffrey Sachs, Richard Branson and the famous American music star DJ Khalid.
Kirubi’s interests are varied and far reaching. He is the chairman and founder of the privately-held Haco Tiger Industries, East Africa’s largest manufacturer of some of the continent’s leading consumer brands of stationery, personal care and home care products. He also owns International House, which is one of Nairobi’s famous landmark skyscrapers, and holds the largest stake in Centum Investments, a leading private equity firm which is listed both on the Nairobi and Uganda Stock Exchanges.
He also has a session as a DJ on Radio Station Capital FM which is one of the well-known radio channels in Kenya.
This country is really blessed with people whom you can look up to as mentors and as great source of inspiration depending on what you would want to do or be in your life. Let’s zero in on Manu Chandaria.
Mr. Chandaria is a business leader and the chairman of the Comcraft group. Comcraft is a group of companies worth $2 billion that produces steel, plastics, and aluminum products from manufacturing facilities located in 45 countries. He’s also one of the biggest philanthropists with a foundation that’s active in over seven countries, and who has donated millions to causes in education, health and the arts. At 83, he holds the title of the Elder of the Burning Spear, the highest civilian honor given by the head of state to extremely exemplary citizens.
We also have an other Kenyan–Asian tycoon who, over the years, has emerged not only as a business man but an entrepreneur. He is none other than Naushad Merali. The bulk of his power and fortune comes from his ownership of one of East Africa’s largest conglomerates with a $2 billion as annual turnover, Sameer Group which owns some of the most popular companies in Kenya. They are involved in financial services, construction, agriculture, energy and ICT sectors. In 2000 Merali partnered with French media giant Vivendi and started Kencell, a Kenyan mobile phone service provider, which he later sold off to Celtel and Bharti Airtel. He still owns 5% of Bharti Airtel’s operations in Kenya, and serves as chairman of the board.
