Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich, popularly known as Buzeki, is a distinguished figure in Kenya, renowned for his significant contributions to the economy, philanthropy, and politics.
His journey began in Kilifi County, where he started as a hawker for a local milk factory, earning Ksh 80 per day. His dedication and hard work quickly caught the attention of his employers, and he was promoted to a salesperson position. Despite lacking formal training for the role, Buzeki excelled, eventually rising to the position of sales manager.
After his tenure as a sales manager, Buzeki decided to transition into entrepreneurship. Drawing from his extensive experience in the milk industry—having worked as a hawker, offloader, and salesperson—he established a milk distribution company in Mombasa. Although he started small, his deep knowledge of the industry propelled him to become one of the largest milk distributors in the Coastal region.
After eight successful years, Buzeki returned to Kilifi and acquired the company that had initially employed him, Kilifi Plantations, integrating it into his growing business empire. Reflecting on this achievement, he said, “After distributing milk for eight years, I went back and actually bought the factory of my former boss, Kilifi Plantations.”
Buzeki’s dairy business continued to expand with the acquisition of additional plants in Limuru and Molo, solidifying his position as one of Kenya’s leading dairy industry experts. However, seeking new opportunities, he ventured into the logistics sector by founding a transportation company, acquiring trucks to facilitate the movement of goods across East Africa. His branded trucks became widely recognized, but he always emphasized that it was his dairy business that built his name.
In 2013, Brookside Dairy acquired his Kilifi and Molo businesses for an estimated Ksh 1.1 billion, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.
Buzeki’s political journey began in 2017 when he contested for the Uasin Gishu County gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate but lost to Governor Jackson Mandago. He later joined Chama Cha Mashinani in 2019, alongside former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, but left the party ahead of the 2022 elections. In the 2022 general election, he ran once again for the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat as an independent but was defeated by Jonathan Bii, alias Koti Moja, of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In addition to his business and political endeavors, Buzeki is committed to giving back to the community. He founded the Buzeki Foundation, which focuses on empowering farmers by providing them with training in modern agricultural practices and indigenous seeds to help diversify their crops. Through this initiative, Buzeki continues to support the agricultural community and foster sustainable development.
Buzeki’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and a deep commitment to uplifting others, making him an inspirational figure in Kenya’s business and philanthropic sectors.
