Western Kenya is known for its lush greenery, natural resources, and friendly locals. It is also home to some of the wealthiest individuals in the country, with their wealth and influence extending beyond the region.
Among these wealthy individuals is Ibrahim Ambwere, a businessman with several rental houses and commercial buildings, who offered to bail out the government by paying teachers’ delayed salaries amounting to Ksh 48 million. While the 86-year-old does not disclose his wealth, residents say he is worth billions.
Another prominent name in Western Kenya’s wealthy circle is Julius Mwale, who manages to keep a low profile despite making big moves in the diaspora. He founded a biometric technology company in New York, serving big clients such as the Bank of New York and JP Morgan Chase. He is also the man behind the Mwale Medical and Technology City worth US$ 2 billion in Butere. Mwale’s influence extends to his neighbors, including billionaires such as George Soros, Donald Trump, and Bill Gates.
The former Nairobi City Governor, Evans Kidero, is another wealthy individual from Western Kenya, owning properties and assets worth approximately Ksh 9 billion. He has invested in Yala towers, Muthaiga Heights, rental units along Riara Road, Ndege Road property in Karen, two houses in Gigiri, Nyari Estate houses, and a multi-million house in Rosslyn near Runda. He also owns large tracts of land in Kisumu County and in Homa Bay.
Francis Atwoli, the COTU Sec-Gen, is known for flaunting his wealth, owning a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz S300 Model and Mercedes Maybach 6 Cabriolet. He also adorns himself in designer clothes, expensive watches, and accessories. His palatial home in Kumpa, Kajiado, has a 100-car capacity parking lot, a helipad, 300-person capacity restaurant, and several guest rooms. Atwoli earns a minimum of millions from COTU and rakes in allowances from the several boards he serves on.
Eugene Wamalwa, a politician and entrepreneur, is also among the wealthiest individuals in Western Kenya. During his appointment as Cabinet Secretary, he revealed his wealth to the board, stating that he was worth Ksh 400 million. He owns several houses, tracts of land, and a thriving law firm. His law firm had in fact represented Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, in 2001.
