Kenya’s economic landscape in 2025 continues to shine as a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and resilience in East Africa. With a GDP projected to reach $130 billion by year-end, according to World Bank estimates, the country’s wealthiest individuals are not just beneficiaries of this growth—they’re driving it. From sprawling real estate empires to manufacturing giants and tech-savvy ventures, the richest people in Kenya this year reflect a blend of legacy wealth and modern innovation. This article, tailored for Kenyan business professionals, dives into the 2025 list of the top 10 richest individuals, offering a data-driven snapshot of their net worth, industries, and impact. Optimized for keywords like “richest people in Kenya 2025,” “Kenya billionaires,” and “wealthiest Kenyans,” it’s your guide to understanding who’s shaping the future.
Kenya’s economy thrives on diversity—agriculture, manufacturing, and services fuel its growth, while a burgeoning tech sector adds a modern twist. In 2025, the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Kenya has climbed to 7,500, up from 7,200 in 2024, per the Africa Wealth Report. These millionaires and billionaires wield influence far beyond their bank accounts, creating jobs, shaping policy, and inspiring the next generation. For businesses, knowing who holds the purse strings can unlock partnerships, investment opportunities, and market insights. Let’s meet the top 10 richest Kenyans of 2025.
Top 10 Richest People in Kenya in 2025
1. The Moi Family – Net Worth: $3.2 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Banking, Real Estate, Media, Education
- Key Assets: First American Bank, KTN, Kabarak University, vast land holdings
- Why They Lead: The Moi family, heirs to the late President Daniel arap Moi, remain Kenya’s wealthiest dynasty. Their $3.2 billion fortune in 2025 reflects a 6% uptick from 2024, driven by real estate appreciation in urban centers like Nairobi and banking dividends. Their political legacy and diversified portfolio keep them at the pinnacle.
2. The Kenyatta Family – Net Worth: $2.7 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Dairy, Banking, Real Estate, Education
- Key Assets: Brookside Dairy, NCBA Bank, Peponi School, extensive land
- Insight: Descendants of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta, this family’s wealth grew by 8% in 2025, fueled by Brookside’s expansion into Uganda and Tanzania and NCBA’s fintech innovations. Their land holdings, valued at over $1 billion, remain a cornerstone of their empire.
3. Manu Chandaria – Net Worth: $1.8 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Manufacturing, Philanthropy
- Key Assets: Comcraft Group (steel, aluminum, plastics)
- Standout: At 96, Manu Chandaria’s Comcraft Group spans 40+ countries, with 2025 revenues up 5% due to global demand for industrial goods. His $1.8 billion net worth reflects a legacy of manufacturing prowess and philanthropy, funding schools and clinics across Kenya.
4. Philip Ndegwa Family – Net Worth: $1.6 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Banking, Insurance, Real Estate
- Key Assets: NCBA Bank, ICEA Lion, Riverside Park
- Growth Story: Heirs to the late economist and Central Bank Governor Philip Ndegwa, this family’s wealth rose 7% in 2025, thanks to NCBA’s merger dividends and ICEA Lion’s insurance growth. Their real estate in Nairobi’s upscale areas adds heft to their fortune.
5. Sameer Merali – Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Manufacturing, Telecom, Agriculture
- Key Assets: Sameer Group (Sameer Industrial Park, Daima Dairy), stakes in Airtel Kenya
- Rising Star: Taking the reins after his father Naushad Merali’s death in 2021, Sameer Merali has grown the family’s $1.4 billion empire by 10% in 2025. Investments in Uganda’s dairy sector and Airtel’s rebound in Kenya’s telecom market signal his forward-thinking leadership.
6. Bhimji Depar Shah – Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Manufacturing, Retail
- Key Assets: BIDCO Africa (cooking oil, soaps), retail chains
- Steady Climb: The BIDCO founder’s $1.2 billion fortune grew 4% in 2025, driven by exports to the East African Community and beyond. His focus on affordable consumer goods keeps BIDCO a household name.
7. Vimal Shah – Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
- Source of Wealth: Manufacturing, Edible Oils
- Key Assets: BIDCO Africa (co-owned), real estate
- Family Ties: Vimal, son of Bhimji Depar Shah, splits BIDCO’s wealth, with his $1.1 billion net worth up 5% in 2025. His push into sustainable manufacturing and urban property investments marks him as a next-gen leader.
8. Narendra Raval – Net Worth: $950 Million
- Source of Wealth: Cement, Steel, Philanthropy
- Key Assets: Devki Group (National Cement, steel plants)
- Guru’s Rise: Known as “Guru,” Narendra Raval’s $950 million fortune grew 6% in 2025, fueled by cement demand in Kenya’s infrastructure boom. His charitable work, like free hospitals, balances profit with purpose.
9. Peter Munga – Net Worth: $800 Million
- Source of Wealth: Banking, Agriculture
- Key Assets: Equity Group (stake), Britam, tea estates
- Veteran Wealth: The Equity Group founder’s $800 million net worth rose 5% in 2025, thanks to the bank’s regional dominance and tea exports. His shift to agribusiness signals diversification.
10. Chris Kirubi Family – Net Worth: $700 Million
- Source of Wealth: Real Estate, Media, Investments
- Key Assets: Centum Investments, Capital FM, Two Rivers Mall
- Legacy Lives: After Chris Kirubi’s death in 2021, his family’s $700 million fortune grew 4% in 2025, driven by Centum’s real estate portfolio and media resilience. Two Rivers remains a jewel in their crown.
How Wealth is Calculated
Net worth estimates for 2025 combine publicly available data, industry reports, and reasonable projections based on 2024 trends. Sources like Forbes Africa, the Africa Wealth Report, and local business filings inform these figures, adjusted for inflation (projected at 5% for 2025) and sector growth (e.g., real estate up 7%, per HassConsult). While exact numbers may vary, these rankings reflect Kenya’s economic pulse.
Industries Driving Wealth in 2025
- Real Estate: Urbanization and foreign investment push property values, benefiting families like the Mois and Kenyattas.
- Manufacturing: Chandaria, Shah, and Raval ride industrial demand.
- Banking/Finance: NCBA and Equity Group fuel Ndegwa and Munga’s fortunes.
- Agriculture: Dairy (Kenyattas, Merali) and tea (Munga) remain lucrative.
- Tech/Telecom: Merali’s Airtel stake hints at a digital shift.
For businesses, these sectors signal where partnerships or competition lie.
Economic Impact: Beyond the Billions
Kenya’s richest don’t just hoard wealth—they multiply it:
- Jobs: Their companies employ over 100,000 Kenyans directly.
- Taxes: Billions in revenue fund public projects.
- Innovation: From fintech to sustainable oils, they set trends.
Their influence shapes markets—think BIDCO’s price wars or Equity’s SME loans.
Challenges Facing Kenya’s Elite
- Succession: Family empires (Moi, Kenyatta) face generational transitions.
- Regulation: Anti-monopoly laws could hit conglomerates.
- Climate: Droughts challenge agro-wealth (e.g., tea, dairy).
These hurdles are your openings—offer legal, tech, or climate solutions.
Opportunities for Businesses in 2025
- Partner Up: Supply chains for BIDCO or Devki need vendors.
- Invest: Real estate in Two Rivers or Riverside is hot.
- Innovate: Tech solutions for Equity or Airtel could score deals.
- Sustainability: Green projects align with Chandaria and Raval’s ethos.
Wealth begets opportunity—tap in.
Future Trends: Wealth in 2030
- Tech Titans: Expect new billionaires from Safaricom or fintech.
- Green Wealth: Solar and agro-tech could lift ASAL-based tycoons.
- Youth Surge: Under-40 HNWIs may crack the list.
Stay ahead by aligning with these shifts.
