List of richest people from Mombasa, their businesses and properties

List of richest people from Mombasa, their businesses and properties

• According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Mombasa contributes 4.9% to Kenya's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
• The port city is home to affluent Kenyan businessmen with substantial holdings in manufacturing, real estate, and logistics
• Among them is Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Mombasa city is home to some of the wealthiest people in Kenya.

While some are well-known to the general public, others shun the limelight, preferring to live quiet lives.

The port city is home to affluent businessmen with substantial holdings in manufacturing, real estate, and logistics.

Most of them reside in the opulent estates of Tudor, Nyali, Shanzu, and Bamburi.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Mombasa contributes 4.9% to Kenya's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"The largest county economy was Nairobi city at KSh 3,379.4 billion, followed by Kiambu (KSh 721.2 billion), Nakuru (KSh 600.5 billion), Mombasa (KSh 564.1 billion), Meru (KSh 407.4 billion), and Machakos county (KSh 378.4 billion)," KNBS Gross County Product (GCP) report of 2023 stated.

Who are the wealthiest people from Mombasa?

1. Suleiman Shahbal

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Suleiman Shahbal was raised in Majengo Chura in Mombasa.

The politician is the founder of GulfCap Group, an investment company.

He is the proprietor of GulfCap Real Estate, which bagged a KSh 13 billion tender to construct affordable houses in Starehe.

GulfCap Real Estate also developed Buxton Point in Mombasa.

The shrewd businessman owned Gulf Energy, which he sold to Rubis in 2019 in a deal worth KSh 16.4 billion.

2. Hassan Joho

Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, is one of the wealthiest people from the coast region.

During his vetting before the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments, Joho revealed he was worth KSh 2.3 billion.

The former Mombasa governor indicated that his empire comprises several assets and businesses.

He is the founder and director of Prima Pest and Bins Ltd., one of the pioneer garbage collection companies in Mombasa.

Joho, who also owns M-tech Kenya and East Africa Terminals, dismissed allegations that he's involved in the drug trade.

Other companies where he has shares include Auto Port Freight Terminal (AFT) and Portside Freight Terminals Limited.

"I own largely developed and undeveloped property, which includes my homes in Mombasa, Vipingo, Malindi, and Nairobi. Shareholding in some property holdings, shareholding in family businesses, valuables and cash at bank," he said.

Besides businesses, Joho drives luxurious cars valued at over KSh 90 million.

3. Swaleh Nguru's family

According to Daily Nation, Swaleh Nguru left behind wealth worth KSh 2.5 billion, which was the subject of a dispute among his family members.

At one point, he owned a third of Mombasa Island (Majengo). Afterwards, he divided the property into smaller sections and sold them.

His interests in real estate, investments, ranching, and sisal contributed to his enormous wealth.

4. Tahir Sheikh Said's family

Tahir Sheikh Said died in June 2020 while receiving treatment at a South African hospital.

He left behind several properties valued at billions of shillings. These include commercial and residential buildings, 33 parcels of land in Mombasa, 10 parcels in Nairobi, eight pieces in Lamu, five in Malindi and another in Moyale.

He also owned properties in London, Cairo, and Middlesex and invested in shares in several companies, including Kenya Airways, Centum, and CFC Life.

His children have been battling to control the vast estate, which accumulated debts amounting to over KSh 3 billion.

5. Rashid Sajjad Mohamed

Sajjad was a prominent figure during the regime of the late former president, Mzee Daniel Arap Moi.

He was a powerful figure in the coastal region who championed KANU's interests.

Sajjad gained a lot of wealth during the period and was nominated to parliament in 1998. He lived a quiet life after the party was defeated during the 2002 General Election.

According to Who Owns Kenya, he still retains a great deal of wealth, even though he relinquished others.

He is the proprietor of the Milly Group, which has ties to more than eight businesses, including Embakasi Management, Old Town Property Development, Pwani Warehousing and Saku Development.

He also owns Siben Estates, Turuma Properties, Kimakia Estates, Masindeni Estates, and Airport Warehousing and Farm Africa Mills Investment Ltd.

Who are the richest people from Kirinyaga?

In other news, Kirinyaga is one of the agriculturally rich counties in Kenya, producing rice, tea, coffee, macadamia, and other crops.

The agriculturally rich devolved unit's Gross County Product (GCP) increased from KSh 139.8 billion in 2021 to KSh 160.9 billion in 2022.

Among the richest people from Kirinyaga are Andrew Ngirici, Charles Njiru and the family of former NIS boss James Kanyotu.