DIVES energy KENYA

18/06/2026

16/06/2026

An 86-year-old Pennsylvania farmer was offered $15.7 million for his land.

He said no.

His name is Mervin Raudabaugh, and his family farm sits on 261 acres in Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania.

Developers reportedly wanted the land for a massive data center project.

The offer worked out to around $60,000 per acre.

For most people, that kind of money would be impossible to refuse.

But Mervin did.

Instead of selling the farm to be turned into industrial land, he chose to protect it for farming.

He sold the development rights for far less money, meaning the land can stay farmland instead of being built over.

His reason was simple.

He said he was not interested in destroying his farms.

In a world where land is being snapped up for warehouses, housing, tech hubs and AI data centers, one elderly farmer chose legacy over money.

Not because he did not understand the value of the offer.

But because he understood the value of the land.

The soil.

The fields.

The work.

The family history.

The future.

$15.7 million could have changed his bank account overnight.

But keeping the farm protected may change the land for generations.

Sometimes the richest decision is not the one with the biggest cheque.

06/06/2026

Buzeki: I Bought My Former Boss’s Factory After Working For 8 Years

Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop, otherwise known as Buzeki is the chairman of Buzeki Group of Companies mainly operating in dairy and logistics.

He became known to many Kenyans during the electioneering period in 2017 when he declared his candidature in the hotly-contested Uasin Gishu gubernatorial race.

Buzeki started his career as the Regional Dairy Sales Manager for Kilifi plantations, and later pioneered the introduction of Tuzo milk.

He later diversified into the transport and logistics business under Buzeki Enterprises Limited and managed to win contracts with companies such as Bamburi Cement, UN-WFP and East Africa Port Land Cement among other companies.

While Buzeki is better known as a billionaire, the most interesting bit of it is that he bought his former boss’s factory eight years after branching out and working by himself.

Here is the story as told by WoK.

In an interview with Success Afrika, Buzeki described himself as a businessman, farmer, politician, church elder and a philanthropist.

However, before acquiring the numerous titles, the billionaire was struggling to make ends meets years back.

He mentioned that his first job was hawking milk on behalf of a milk factory in Kilifi, and earned Ksh 80 per day.

Buzeki was then promoted to be offloading milk from the van into the factory and later employed as a salesman.

“Then, I didn’t know I had a talent in selling because by the time I was given an opportunity to be a salesman, I was not formally trained. It was a skill that I had,” he said.

He worked as a salesman for a while before he earned himself a promotion to a sales manager at the factory.

After his stint as a sales manager, Buzeki branched out to try entrepreneurship.

“After the sales manager’s job, I decided to give a shot at business and I decided to do a business that I already had some formal background with,” he explained.

Buzeki started a distribution company based in Mombasa and he would distribute milk from one shop to another.

For eight years, he distributed among other brands, Tuzo milk, making him one of the biggest milk distributors in the coastal region.

“After distributing milk for eight years, I went back and actually bought the factory of my former boss, Kilifi Plantations, and I ended up buying another factory in Molo and Limuru,” Buzeki said.

In 2004, Buzeki said he diversified to logistics, however, maintaining that his forte has always been dairy despite the success of his logistics company.

“In as much as people think that Buzeki is more of a logistician because trucks carry my name and move from point to point, my bread and butter is dairy."

“That’s why I love dairy farming, agriculture and the story about me having a liking for milk is also something that is a bit cultural,” he stated.

Elsewhere, the businessman runs Buzeki Foundation which has rolled out several programs including empowerment initiatives for farmers.

In 2020, the foundation also rolled out a program dubbed, Mlo Mashinani, an all-inclusive financial empowerment program targeting farmers.

Through this program, selected farmers are grouped into clusters, provided with seeds, expert and logistical advice and sales support.

Farmers are also taught various agricultural techniques which they would then pass on to other farmers in the program.

“We seek to provide seeds of Indigenous crops like pumpkins, arrow roots, sweet potatoes among others and offer field extension service to ensure proper seed utilisation and offer market support for surplus produce,” Buzeki said.

06/06/2026

List of Multi-billion Cities in Kenya and Its Ownership

Kenya’s urban landscape is rapidly evolving, marked by the rise of ambitious new cities like Northlands City and Tatu City.

While these developments promise modern infrastructure, economic opportunities and a higher quality of life, questions surrounding their ownership structures are increasingly pertinent.

In this article, WoK delves into the ownership of key urban projects like the Kenyatta family-owned Northlands City and the multi-national Tatu City, exploring the complexities, benefits.

1. Northlands City
Northlands City is a large, mixed-use real estate development project in Ruiru, Kenya, owned by the Kenyatta family.

The project, estimated to cost Sh500 billion, is situated on 11,576 acres of land approximately 15km from Nairobi’s city center.

Northlands City is planned to include residential, industrial, and commercial zones, aiming to accommodate around 250,000 residents.

The master plan allocates land for various uses, including housing, a business district, an industrial park, open recreational space and wildlife conservation/agriculture.

The residential area includes low-density (villas, townhouses), medium-density (townhouses, flats), and high-density housing (flats, townhouses).

An industrial park covering 695 acres is planned, with 650 acres for a logistics park.

2. The LV Marina

The LV Marina is a large, mixed-use development project under construction in Kisumu, Kenya, officially launched by GulfCap Real Estate.

Projected to be the largest of its kind in Kenya, the project is estimated to require a total investment of Ksh 120 billion and is expected to redefine the urban landscape over six years, with the initial phase valued at Ksh 40 billion.

The real estate project will be developed on a 285-acre parcel of land owned by the late former prime minister Raila Odinga’s family.

The LV Marina will include light industrial parks, recreational areas, and fishing clubs.

It is designed to foster regional growth and enhance living standards. According to GulfCap Real Estate, LV Marina aims to be a place where every economic class finds its place within a thriving, inclusive community.

GulfCap Real Estate is the developer behind the LV Marina, with Suleiman Shahbal as the Founder and Chairman, and Chris Ochieng as the CEO.

3. Tatu City.

Tatu City is a 5,000-acre mixed-use development and special economic zone (SEZ) situated 20 kilometers north of Nairobi’s central business district, within the Ruiru Municipality area of Kiambu County.

It’s recognized as a key project in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 plan.

The ownership and development of Tatu City are managed by Rendeavour, known as Africa’s largest new city builder.

From 2008 to 2010, the land for Tatu City and adjacent coffee farms was acquired by a group of investors, now represented by Rendeavour.

The initial purchase involved Rendeavour paying $21.7 million for the Tatu City land and $65.7 million for the Kofinaf land, with Socfinaf, a Belgian producer of coffee and rubber, as the seller.

Cedar IV Limited, a subsidiary fully owned by Renaissance Group, holds the majority stake (99.99%) in Tatu City Limited, according to court documents.

The remaining shares are distributed among individuals like Stephen Mbugua Mwagiru, Nahashon Nyaga, Vimal Shah, and others, each holding a single share in the firm.

Renaissance Capital possesses a 50% stake in Tatu City, with the other half divided among Vimal Shah, Nahashon Nyaga, and Stephen Mwagiru.

4. Konza Technopolis

Konza Technopolis, also known as “Silicon Savannah,” is a large technology hub being developed by the Kenyan government 64 km south of Nairobi, towards Mombasa.

It is a key project in Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development plan and is envisioned as a world-class smart city driven by a thriving ICT sector, reliable infrastructure, and business-friendly governance.

The Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) was established to manage and oversee the implementation of the Konza Technopolis Master Plan.

KoTDA is responsible for establishing the zone’s value proposition, as a valuable location to investors.

Regarding ownership, there is no individual ownership of land in Konza Technopolis. Land is leased from the government through KoTDA via 21, 60, and 90-year leases.

KoTDA negotiates sub-leases with property developers for parcel development.

An EPZ (Export Processing Zone) firm within Konza may be 100% foreign-owned, 100% Kenyan-owned, or a combination.

06/06/2026

Timothy Mbaluka: I Started My Stationery Business With Ksh 10,000 Capital Now I Make Upto Ksh 3 Million Monthly

In a world of dreams and aspirations, success often seems like an elusive mirage. But for Timothy Mbaluka, success is a tangible reality he achieved through sheer determination, unwavering hope, and a relentless drive to follow his dreams.

From a humble start selling stationery with just Ksh10,000 as capital, Timothy’s journey to becoming the proprietor of Mwisaf Limited, a thriving stationery and document-binding firm, is nothing short of inspiring.

“I started selling stationery to schools as a part time job in 2003 with only Sh10, 000 as capital’ ’ he told the Business Daily in an interview at his office in Nairobi.

From an early age, Timothy nurtured a passion for “doing serious business.”

The seed of entrepreneurship was sown in his heart as a teenager, and he carried that dream with him through the years.

Even as a full-time employee at Spinknit Dairy, where he earned a modest salary of Ksh18,000 per month, his dreams never wavered.

Armed with courage and conviction, Timothy took a pay cut and switched jobs, which allowed him to dedicate time to his side business.

He began selling stationery to schools in his home county of Machakos and later expanded to the bustling city of Nairobi.

The journey was far from easy; in fact, it was riddled with challenges and uncertainties.

The initial earnings of Sh5,000 per month were hardly enough to sustain his vision, and he knew he needed to find additional sources of income.

Undeterred by setbacks, Timothy persevered, believing that hard work and unwavering support from those who believed in his potential would eventually lead to success.

In 2005, Timothy took a leap of faith and registered Mwisaf Stationery and Book Binding Company, with a vision to attract corporate clients.

Yet, even with a registered business, success remained elusive, and securing clients was an uphill battle.

Rather than giving in to frustration, Timothy saw an opportunity to make the most of his free time.

He decided to work as a bus driver at a local primary school, a job that allowed him to focus on growing his business during his spare hours.

A year later, Timothy made the bold decision to quit his job as a bus driver and move to Nairobi to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams full-time.

Armed with savings of Sh40,000, he rented a small office, bought second-hand furniture and an old computer through hire purchase, and hired a secretary to help with operations.

It was a modest start, but he had a burning determination to succeed.

With three clients, one employee, and a computer, Timothy embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign to win corporate firms.

He diversified his services from stationery to bulk binding for larger companies, identifying an untapped opportunity in the market.

Timothy’s research and strategic quotations paid off, earning him more business and gradually establishing his company’s credibility in the industry.

In 2006, Timothy approached Equity Bank with a proposal to bind their documents, and this marked a turning point for Mwisaf Limited.

‘“Through the Equity Bank job, Mwisaf gained credibility and used the acknowledgement to bring more institutions on board. They included the Kenya Technical Training College (KTTC), Catholic University and Mwalimu Co-operative Society Limited,’’ said Mr Mbaluka.

As the business grew, he seized yet another opportunity in 2007 by venturing into printing books and journals.

This decision further fuelled the company’s expansion, leading him to purchase his first printing machine worth Sh6 million.

Mwisaf Limited outgrew its initial office space and shifted to a more spacious location in Gatkim Complex along Temple Road in Nairobi, accommodating the growing printing facilities.

As of 2013, Mwisaf Limited had employed 35 workers, and Timothy had ambitious plans to open offices in Mombasa and Nakuru, reaching even greater heights of success.

He took s pride in having corporate customers and offered a diverse array of services, including branding corporate attire, retailing office supplies, and providing document binding.

Timothy Mbaluka asserted that these ventures generate no less than Sh3 million per month.

His particular expertise lies in embroidering corporate logos on a wide range of garments

06/06/2026

Petrol Stations Owned by Kenyans and the Founders Behind Them

The petroleum industry in Kenya is a critical pillar of the country’s economy, powering transportation, industry, and households.

While the sector has traditionally been dominated by multinational corporations, a growing number of Kenyan-owned petrol stations have emerged, signaling a shift toward local entrepreneurship and investment in the energy sector.

In this article, WoK delves into the ownership landscape of Kenyan petrol stations and their journey to success.

Astrol Petroleum Limited

Astrol Petroleum Limited, established in 2000 by Thayu Kamau Kabugi, is a prominent oil marketing company in Kenya.

Kabugi, a billionaire from Murang’a, served as the chairman until his death in 2019 at the age of 94.

Under his leadership, the company focused on the supply and distribution of petroleum products, operating a network of filling stations across Kenya.

Following Kabugi’s passing, his son, James Mwangi, took over as Managing Director. He has continued to uphold the company’s core values of integrity, trust, respect, and servant leadership that were instilled by his father.

Astrol Petroleum operates multiple filling stations located in key areas such as Runda, Mombasa Road and Thika Road.

Hass Petroleum

Hass Petroleum, a prominent oil company in Kenya, was founded in 1997 by two brothers, the late Abdirizak Ali Hassan and Abdinasir Ali Hassan, who currently serves as the chairman.

The company initially operated as AA Hassan & Company, focusing on petroleum distribution and later rebranded to Hass Petroleum Group in 2002.

Luqman Petroleum Limited
Luqman Petroleum Limited, established in 2008, is a regional oil marketing company based in Nairobi, Kenya.

It operates fuel stations across East and Central Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company has invested significantly in storage facilities and retail networks, becoming a notable player in the competitive oil industry.

The leadership team includes Asad Mohamed as the Executive Director, Yusuf Abdi as General Manager, and Mohamed Ali as Finance Manager.

Petrocity Petroleum

Petrocity Petroleum is part of the Petrocity Group, an oil marketing company headquartered in Mombasa, Kenya.

The group operates under the brand name Petrocity Enterprises Kenya Limited and manages a network of petrol stations across East Africa, including six in Kenya and 75 in Uganda.The company also has significant storage and logistics capabilities, with tank farms and a fleet of petroleum tankers for transportation.

The leadership of Petrocity Group includes Aman Kurji, who serves as the Managing Director, supported by other key figures such as Mohamed Noor Yusuf (Group Internal Auditor) and Salim M (Operations and Safety Manager).

The company has diversified its operations through subsidiaries like Fossil Supplies Limited, which supplies petroleum products, and Alfoss Energy Limited, which focuses on marine fuels.

19/06/2025

Burns longer post production

14/06/2025

Dives energy KENYA for briquettes 60ksh per kg