Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich, popularly known as Buzeki, has gained recognition nationwide due to his accomplishments in business, philanthropy, and political endeavors, particularly in the Rift Valley region. This article highlights the remarkable journey that led to the establishment of his multi-billion-dollar business empire.
Buzeki embarked on his professional career in Kilifi county, initially working as a hawker for a milk factory. Despite earning a modest daily wage of Sh80, his dedication and exemplary work caught the attention of his superiors, leading to a promotion as a salesperson. Remarkably, Buzeki excelled in this role without any formal training and eventually climbed the ranks to become a sales manager.
However, Buzeki’s ambition extended beyond being an employee. Inspired by his experiences, he decided to leave formal employment and venture into entrepreneurship. Drawing from his extensive involvement in the milk industry as a hawker, off-loader, and salesperson, Buzeki founded a milk distribution company in Mombasa. Although he started small, his profound industry knowledge and expertise enabled him to emerge as one of the most prominent milk distributors in the Coastal region.
After eight years in the business, Buzeki took a significant step forward by purchasing the very company that had previously employed him in Kilifi, effectively incorporating it into his expanding business portfolio. In addition, he acquired additional factories in Limuru and Molo, further augmenting his dairy business empire.
In his pursuit of diversified investments, Buzeki recognized the need to explore new opportunities. Consequently, he ventured into the logistics sector, establishing a transportation company that operated across the East African region. His trucks, prominently branded with his name, caught the attention of many and contributed to his growing reputation. Nevertheless, Buzeki acknowledges that it was his success in the dairy business that paved the way for his achievements.
In 2013, Brookside Dairies acquired Buzeki’s Kilifi and Molo companies in a deal estimated to be valued at Sh1.1 billion, solidifying his status as a revered figure in the dairy industry.
While excelling in business, Buzeki also made significant strides in the political arena. He made his political debut in 2017, running as an independent candidate for the Uasin Gishu County gubernatorial seat. Although he was not successful in this endeavor, Buzeki remained undeterred and later joined forces with former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto under the Chama Cha Mashinani party in 2019. However, he eventually distanced himself from the party prior to the 2022 general election. In that election, he once again vied for the Uasin Gishu gubernatorial seat as an independent candidate but was defeated by Jonathan Bii, also known as Koti Moja, representing the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Driven by a commitment to giving back to society, Buzeki established the Buzeki Foundation, which focuses on supporting and empowering farmers through various initiatives. The foundation conducts training sessions to educate farmers on modern farming techniques and provides them with indigenous seeds to diversify their crop cultivation.
Zedekiah Kiprop Bundotich, widely recognized as Buzeki, has built an exceptional business empire, expanded into diverse investment sectors, and made notable contributions as a philanthropist. His journey from a humble milk factory hawker to a revered entrepreneur and political figure stands as a testament to his determination, acumen, and unwavering commitment to success.
