The name Gor Semelang’o is well-known in Kenya, often linked with controversy and a flashy lifestyle reserved for the rich and famous. Beyond his opulence, he is remembered for an unusual act during his tenure as Chairman of the Youth Enterprise and Development Fund—surrendering his entire salary to support the youth.
Education and Appointment
Semelang’o holds a Master’s degree from Utrecht University, the highest-ranked public university in the Netherlands. In January 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Youth Enterprise and Development Fund by the late President Mwai Kibaki. However, his tenure was cut short in February 2014 when President Uhuru Kenyatta dismissed him through a gazette notice, replacing him with the late music producer Bruce Odhiambo.
Business Ventures and Lavish Lifestyle
A shrewd entrepreneur, Semelang’o was the majority shareholder at Petrokenya Oil Company Limited, which he co-owned with Uhuru Kenyatta’s uncle, Paul Gatheca Muhoho. He later sold 45 percent of his stake—valued at Ksh 4.5 billion—to a UAE-based company, reducing his shareholding to 8 percent.
He also owns Talanta Media, a publishing house that runs a tabloid newspaper. Speaking in a 2018 interview, he revealed his love for luxury watches, noting that he wears two at a time—together valued at Ksh 500,000.
“Time is money, and I take mine seriously. One watch is set to local time while the other tracks international business time zones,” he explained. He added that he prefers high-end brands such as Rado, Montblanc, and Swatch, each costing him about Ksh 260,000.
His taste for luxury extends to cars, with a collection that includes Range Rovers, while his personal security detail follows him in a Toyota Prado chase car.
International Appointment
In January 2019, Semelang’o secured an international role as a Senior Advisor at the Commonwealth Security Group headquartered in Westminster, London. Celebrating the achievement, he shared on social media:
“It’s a huge privilege and honor to take on this responsibility. I thank God for His favor and blessings, and I promise to give my best.”
Controversies
Despite his successes, Semelang’o has faced legal troubles. In September 2019, a local court found him guilty of failing to pay Ksh 3.6 million owed to lawyer George Miyare of Atonga Miyare & Associates Advocates. He was sentenced to one month at Industrial Area Prison unless he cleared the debt with interest. He later avoided jail by settling the amount.
Philanthropy
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Semelang’o pledged Ksh 25 million to help vulnerable families in Nairobi slums and parts of Nyanza. He announced that the funds would go towards paying rent for households with monthly charges below Ksh 5,000.
“This is a personal sacrifice during this crisis. I will work with provincial administrators and community leaders to ensure the support reaches those in distress,” he wrote on Facebook.
