Top 9 Millionaires in Kenya

 

Amazingly, these young Kenyans are not only bagging awards; they are making millions in the process. The figures might not be available in all cases but the young people are undeniably making ripples in the business world. Here are some of the leading lights in business, technology and innovation.

1. Cosmas Ochieng, 26 – Founder Ecofuels
Cosmas Ochieng is largely credited for the success of Eco Fuels Kenya. This is a large enterprise producing organic fertilizers, bio-fuel and health products. He is also the Director of Operations while co-founder Alan Paul is the Managing Director.In 2012, Village Capital and Growth Africa invested heavily in the company. Consequently, the pair was named by Forbes in their 2013 feature ‘30 Under 30 Innovators and Entrepreneurs’. The company is in its second year of operation with plans of penetrating East Africa and the rest of Africa.

2. Mark Kaigwa, 25 – Partner, Afroinnovator
Mark Kaigwa is a much-travelled and recognized young IT guru. His most notable contributions have been in the business sector, helping businessmen harness the power of technology to do better business. Afroinnovator has been lauded by the CNN as one of the top blogs on the African continent. Kaigwa was named by Forbes in 2013 among the ‘30 Under 30 Innovators and Entrepreneurs’ of note.

3. Heshan Da Silva, 25 – Founder VenCap Kenya

Heshan is the more recognizable young multi-millionaire figure in Kenya and VenCap has assisted many startups to source capital for their businesses in Kenya. Da Silva sold his first company for a whopping Ksh 122 million. His amazing business prowess has astounded many with the proof that one can achieve a lot without a university degree. He has been listed by Forbes among Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs to watch.

4. Eric Muthomi, 26 – Founder- Stawi Foods and Fruits

A graduate of the United States International Univerity, Muthomi capitalized on the consumer demand for healthier cheaper foods. His business success has seen the company bag numerous recognitions such as: the Enablis Chase Bank ILO Business Plan Competition (2011), Nature Challenge (2011) and Hamsini Awards (2013).

5. Joel Mwale, 20 –Founder SkyDrop Enterprises

He made about Ksh 42.5 million when he was just aged 19 from the sale of his firm to an Israeli company. Young Mwale through SkyDrop Enterprises has assisted many people in his home town Kitale gain access to clean, affordable drinking water. The entrepreneur is now internationally recognised and has won many accolades including: Anzisha Prize for Youth Leadership in 2011 and Zeitgeist Young Minds Award the following year in 2012.

6. Mike Muthiga, 26 – Founder Fatboy Animations

If you are familiar with Faiba adverts then you know what Muthiga’s genius can amount to. He is also behind Safaricom’s Juma (Mazgwembe) commercials. Mike holds a degree in Civil Engineering but has done a marvelous job in animation; a feat he was able to accomplish when he was as young as 17 years of age. Tinga Tinga Tales on Citizen TV also forms part of his resume. The Faiba advert alone netted him a reportedly 3.5 million fortune.

7. Lorna Rutto, 28 – Founder, EcoPost

Lorna founded EcoPost in 2009having quit her job at a local bank. Her company that recycles waste plastics and converts them into durable fencing posts among other commodities has managed to generate 300 jobs and in the process earned Ksh 10.43 million or 120,000 US Dollars. For her environment conservation efforts, she was feted by Enablis in 2009. She has won several other awards since then. Lorna is an Accountant by profession.

8. Antony Mwaura, 24 – Dreamlt Computing Technology

Simply referred to as Tonnie, the young entrepreneur holds vast skills in IT and has mastered the art of turning ideas into reality. In 2010, he founded Deamlt Computing Technology. He however, has been working for Metrocomia East Africa as a Web programmer/ Developer since 2011. He holds a Higher Diploma in IT and has won awards for his innovations such as the Outstanding Developer of the Year Award, 2012.

9. Evans Wadongo, 27-Director of Operations, SDFA Kenya

Evans holds a bachelors degree from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He is testimony that great difficulties mould great men. As a child, he walked close to ten kilometers to school but rose to recognition by among other organizations, the CNN. In 2006, he joined the Sustainable Development For All-Kenya (SDFA Kenya). Evans was featured in CNN’s ‘Top Ten Heroes of 2010’. He was also recognized as one of the most influential African entrepreneurs under 30 by Forbes.

10 Strategies to Avoid Getting into Debt

 

Budget and Save

No one tries to get in debt. It's just one of those things that happens without your notice, or may even feel as if it's out of your control.

It's just one of those things that happens without your notice, or may even feel as if it's out of your control.  However, staying out of debt is possible. Follow these strategies to avoid falling into a hole of debt.

1. If you can't afford it without a credit card, don't buy it.   One of the most dangerous approaches to having a credit card is living under the illusion that you can afford things you actually do not have the money to afford. One good rule to live by is if you can't pay for something in cash, then you can't afford it with a card.
2. Have a fallback emergency fund.  Emergency savings are very important for those “just-in-case” situations. Best practice when trying to establish an emergency savings is to have at least 6-month of your salary saved up. This will be something to cover your expenses if you lose your job, have an injury that prevents you from working, or for when you need money for an unexpected, but necessary, cost.
3. Pay off your credit card balances in full. The best way to keep your spending under control is to pay your credit card balance as you go. So if you make a purchase with your credit card, say to earn rewards, send your payment the next day before life gets in the way.
4. Cut-out the wants, focus on the needs.   There's always room in your personal budget to cut out unnecessary spending habits. This could be going to “Taco Tuesday” at your favorite restaurant only once a month, or cutting down on your online shopping. The more you shave away the wants and spend only on the needs the better your finances will be.
5. Everything is better with a budget.   By budgeting out your monthly expenses you can better track where your money is going and where you can afford to spend it. Every month, parcel out how much to put in savings, your 401(k), and how much extra you have left to spend on the necessities. So if the time ever comes where you need to do a major cut down of your expenses you will know exactly what to cut. Handy online tools, like Money Manager, can help you with a budget automate some of the budgeting process for you.
6. Do not use your credit card for cash advances.  If you need to use your credit card in order to have cash on hand, that is a sign that you are abusing your finances. Not only is the APR higher than regular purchases, but you'll likely also be charged a fee.
7. Limit the number of cards you have.  Multiple credit cards mean multiple payments and multiple cases of tacked on interest. This is a setup for the eventual need of debt consolidation if you cannot handle using the cards responsibly. The more charges accumulated on each card means more room to lose track of your spending and payments.
8. Master sheet of expenses.  Be sure to keep track of your expenses in a sheet that you are able to update on a month-to-month basis. That way if you have multiple accounts and cards you can ensure that you make full payments on all of them at the appropriate time. Money Manager can help you get a full picture of your finances - even accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts at multiple financial institutions.    
9. In case of pay increases.  If the occasion arises where you receive a pay increase, live off the lower wage that you had before and store the extra funds in savings. After all, you've managed to make it so far off your previous wage, put the new funds in a place where they will work harder for you.
10. Collect coupons to save cash.   Groceries fall under a category of “must-have” when it comes to your budget. By using coupons to minimize the cash you have to use on those needs it will free up extra money that was inaccessible before. Stashing away the extra money will build you a bigger cushion against debt.

The hardest part in trying to avoid debt is limiting yourself. Spending has become one of the most popular temptations in today's society. Through these strategies you can cut-down on potential debt all the while still having room left in your budget for yourself.