KENYA. 9 kenyans under 30 making millions.

Young Kenyans are increasingly
taking charge of their destiny, be it in
business, technology and
entrepreneurship. And they no longer
subscribe to the notion of ‘leaders of
tomorrow’. Remarkably, global brands
have already saluted these gallant
young people from Forbes, to
Microsoft to Enablis.
Amazingly, these young Kenyans are
not only bagging awards; they are
making millions in the process. The
figures might not be available in all
cases but the young people are
undeniably making ripples in the
business world. Here are some of the
leading lights in business, technology
and innovation.
1. Cosmas Ochieng, 26 – Founder
Ecofuels
Cosmas Ochieng is largely credited
for the success of Eco Fuels Kenya.
This is a large enterprise producing
organic fertilizers, bio-fuel and health
products. He is also the Director of
Operations while co-founder Alan Paul
is the Managing Director.
In 2012, Village Capital and Growth
Africa invested heavily in the
company. Consequently, the pair was
named by Forbes in their 2013 feature
‘30 Under 30 Innovators and
Entrepreneurs’. The company is in its
secondyear of operation with plans of
penetrating East Africa and the rest of
Africa.
2. Mark Kaigwa, 25 – Partner,
Afroinnovator
Mark Kaigwa is a much-travelled and
recognized young IT guru. His most
notable contributions have been in the
business sector, helping businessmen
harness the power of technology to do
better business. Afroinnovator has
been lauded by the CNN as one of the
top blogs on the African continent.
Kaigwa was named by Forbes in 2013
among the ‘30 Under 30 Innovators
and Entrepreneurs’ of note.
3. Heshan Da Silva, 25 – Founder
VenCap Kenya
Heshan is the more recognizable
young multi-millionaire figure in
Kenya and VenCap has assisted many
startups to source capital for their
businesses in Kenya. Da Silva sold
his first company for a whopping Ksh
122 million. His amazingbusiness
prowess has astounded many with the
proof that one can achieve a lot
without a university degree. He has
been listed by Forbes among Africa’s
youngest entrepreneurs to watch.
4. Eric Muthomi, 26 – Founder- Stawi
Foods and Fruits
A graduate of the United States
International Univerity, Muthomi
capitalized on the consumer demand
for healthier cheaper foods. His
business success has seen the
company bag numerous recognitions
such as: the Enablis Chase Bank ILO
Business Plan Competition (2011),
Nature Challenge (2011) and Hamsini
Awards (2013).
5. Joel Mwale, 20 – Founder SkyDrop
Enterprises
He made about Ksh 42.5 million when
he was just aged 19 from the sale of
his firm to an Israeli company. Young
Mwale through SkyDrop Enterprises
has assisted many people in his home
town Kitale gain access to clean,
affordable drinking water. The
entrepreneur is now internationally
recognised and has won many
accolades including: Anzisha Prize for
Youth Leadership in 2011 and
Zeitgeist Young Minds Award the
following year in 2012.
6. Mike Muthiga, 26 – Founder Fatboy
Animations
If you are familiar with Faiba adverts
then you know what Muthiga’s genius
can amount to. He is also behind
Safaricom’s Juma (Mazgwembe)
commercials. Mike holds a degree in
Civil Engineering but has done a
marvelous job in animation; a feat he
was able to accomplish when he was
as young as 17 years of age. Tinga
Tinga Tales on Citizen TV also forms
part of his resume. The Faiba advert
alone netted him a reportedly 3.5
million fortune.
7. Lorna Rutto, 28 – Founder, EcoPost
Lorna founded EcoPost in 2009having
quit her job at a local bank. Her
company that recycles waste plastics
and converts them into durable
fencing posts among other
commodities has managed to generate
300 jobs and in the process earned
Ksh 10.43 million or 120,000 US
Dollars. For her environment
conservation efforts, she was feted by
Enablis in 2009. She has won several
other awards since then. Lorna is an
Accountant by profession.
8. Antony Mwaura, 24 – Dreamlt
Computing Technology
Simply referred to as Tonnie, the
young entrepreneur holds vast skills
in IT and has mastered the art of
turning ideas into reality. In 2010, he
founded Deamlt Computing
Technology. He however, has been
working for Metrocomia East Africa as
a Web programmer/ Developer since
2011. He holds a Higher Diploma in IT
and has won awards for his
innovations such as the Outstanding
Developer of the Year Award, 2012.
9. Evans Wadongo, 27-Director of
Operations, SDFA Kenya
Evans holds a bachelors degree from
the Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology. He is
testimony that great difficulties mould
great men. As a child, he walked
close to ten kilometers to school but
rose to recognition by among other
organizations, the CNN. In 2006, he
joined the Sustainable Development
For All-Kenya (SDFA Kenya). Evans
was featured in CNN’s ‘Top Ten
Heroes of 2010’. He was also
recognized as one of the most
influential African entrepreneurs under
30 by Forbes.