Muhoho Kenyatta, the younger sibling of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, is a figure shrouded in mystery, with little publicly known about him. However, his business acumen is widely acknowledged, and he is often credited as the driving force behind the ever-expanding Kenyatta family business empire.
The Kenyatta family’s business ventures are not just a collection of ordinary enterprises; they form a vast empire spanning diverse sectors such as agriculture, education, finance, hospitality, insurance, media, equity, property, and real estate. Among the flagship ventures are Brookside Dairy, Heritage Hotels, NCBA, and Mediamax Group. Heritage Hotels, for instance, owns premier properties like the Voyager Resort in Mombasa, Intrepids camps in Samburu and Maasai Mara, and the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha. The Mara Explorer Camp and Kipungani Explorer on Lamu Island are also part of this extensive portfolio.
Despite his influence, Muhoho is known to shun the limelight, avoiding activities like golf or high-profile social events. Instead, he dedicates himself to managing the family’s business interests. Reports describe him as a diligent individual who works 12 to 14 hours a day at Brookside Dairy’s Ruiru headquarters, often leaving the office after 10 p.m. In addition to his hands-on role at Brookside, he serves on the boards of several family-owned companies, including NCBA, which is partly owned by the Kenyatta family.
Muhoho’s involvement in the family business dates back to 1993, when he played a key role in establishing Brookside Dairy Ltd. He is also deeply committed to ensuring that his children are actively engaged in the family enterprises. Reports suggest that Muhoho emphasizes practical experience for his children, requiring them to participate in tasks such as milking cows, boiling milk, packing products at the factory, or operating tractors to cut and store hay and maize silage.
Educationally, Muhoho is an alumnus of St. Mary’s School in Nairobi and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Williams College, graduating in 1985.
In 2018, Muhoho’s name surfaced in parliament among individuals whose companies were licensed to import sugar. Protech Investments Company, a firm where Muhoho Kenyatta and John Stuart Armitage are listed as directors, was among 370 companies authorized to import sugar, according to then Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri. Armitage, a long-time friend of the Kenyatta family, holds directorships in several of their key businesses, including Brookside Dairy, Heritage Holdings, and Green Park Investments. Protech Investments is notably registered as an importer of brown sugar.
Beyond his business ventures, Muhoho is said to be a trusted confidant of his elder brother, Uhuru Kenyatta. His influence extends into political circles, where he is often consulted on decisions with significant political ramifications. For instance, Muhoho and their mother reportedly played crucial roles in brokering the political truce between President Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga, leading to the historic March 9, 2018 ‘Handshake.’ Additionally, in 2013, Muhoho was instrumental in the acquisition, refurbishment, and branding of The National Alliance (TNA) party, which was pivotal in Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential campaign.
