Top 5 Richest Women In Kenya

Kenya's economic landscape is being shaped by extraordinary women who have built and managed empires spanning multiple industries. From banking and manufacturing to agriculture and real estate, these influential business leaders are not only accumulating wealth but also driving East Africa's economic growth. According to Knight Frank, Kenya is home to over 125 billionaires, with about a fifth being women. Here are the top five richest women in Kenya as of 2025.

1. Mama Ngina Kenyatta

Leading the pack is Ngina Kenyatta, popularly known as Mama Ngina, Kenya's former First Lady and matriarch of one of East Africa's wealthiest families. With an estimated net worth exceeding $1 billion, she controls a vast business empire spanning multiple sectors.

The Kenyatta family's holdings include Brookside Dairy, which commands an impressive 60 percent of Kenya's dairy market, making it the dominant player in the industry. The family also maintains a 13.2 percent stake in NCBA Group, one of Kenya's leading banking institutions. Additional interests include Mediamax Network Limited, which operates K24 TV and The People Daily, and the Heritage Group of Hotels in the hospitality sector.

Beyond these major enterprises, the family owns over 500,000 acres of land across Kenya, including tea estates in Matu and Mangu, and sisal fields near the Tanzanian border. Mama Ngina's strategic investments across banking, agriculture, real estate, media, and hospitality have solidified her position as not only Kenya's wealthiest woman but also one of Africa's most influential business figures.

2. Zarin Merali

With an estimated net worth of approximately $220 million, Zarin Merali is the widow of the late business magnate Naushad Merali, who was once featured on Forbes' list of Africa's richest people. She now controls the vast Sameer Group empire, continuing her late husband's legacy in agro-manufacturing and industry.

The Merali family holds dominant stakes in several key companies, including a 74.06 percent share in Sameer Africa and a commanding 65.46 percent stake in Sasini Tea, one of Kenya's premier tea producers. The family also maintains a 5.2 percent interest in NCBA Group, further diversifying their portfolio across agriculture, real estate, and banking sectors.

3. Mary-Ann Musangi

Mary-Ann Musangi, daughter of the late billionaire industrialist Chris Kirubi, manages an estate valued at approximately $100 million. She has taken on the responsibility of preserving and growing her father's legacy across multiple sectors of Kenya's economy.

Her holdings include significant stakes in Centum Investment Plc, KCB Group, and Haco Industries, keeping the Kirubi name prominent in Kenya's industrial growth and capital markets. The family also maintains interests in Capital Media Group, insurance, and communications, demonstrating a well-diversified investment strategy across real estate, banking, manufacturing, and media.

4. Tabitha Karanja

Breaking into an industry dominated by global giants, Tabitha Karanja is the founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, one of Kenya's largest locally-owned brewing companies. With an estimated net worth of around $35 million, she has achieved remarkable success through determination and innovation.

Starting from a small wine-making operation, Karanja built Keroche into a major player in Kenya's competitive beverage industry. Her entrepreneurial journey has made her a role model for aspiring businesswomen across Africa. In 2022, she expanded her influence into politics, currently serving as the Nakuru Senator, balancing her business empire with public service.

5. Jane Wanjiru Michuki

Jane Wanjiru Michuki is a prominent corporate lawyer and managing partner at Kimani & Michuki Advocates, with an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million. She has established herself as a major investor on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, with substantial shareholdings across multiple sectors.

Michuki holds a notable 7.1 percent stake in Britam Insurance and maintains significant positions in various publicly traded companies. Her success in both legal practice and stock market investments has positioned her among Kenya's wealthiest and most influential women in finance and corporate law.

These five women exemplify the power of strategic investment, entrepreneurship, and leadership in building sustainable wealth. Their success stories continue to inspire the next generation of female business leaders across Africa.