Kenyan teachers are often overlooked, as evidenced by their meager salaries compared to the immense work they do. This has led to numerous industrial strikes in the country pitting the teachers against the government over better pay. However, this has not stopped some of these tutors from taking a different path to become some of the wealthiest individuals in the country.
In this article, WoA takes a look at six former teachers who became billionaires.
Samuel K. Macharia
The media mogul, popularly known as SK Macharia, owns Royal Media Services (RMS), the parent company of Citizen TV—Kenya’s most-watched TV station—Citizen Radio, and several other TV and radio stations.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Murang’a, where he was born. The billionaire taught at Makomboki Primary School in Murang’a County, earning Ksh 8 per month after successfully completing the Kenya African Preliminary Education (KAPE).
He went on to join Kahuhia Teachers Training College where he trained as a P3 teacher.
SK Macharia said of his journey,
“In 1958 and ’59, I attended Kahuhia College for P3 teachers training and I qualified to teach class one pupils. I was number one out of that college and was posted to Gaturo Primary School where I taught for three months”
Daniel and Eddah Gachukia
Riara Group of Schools has a rich history, dating back to 1974, when it was founded by Daniel and Eddah Gachukia. It consists of six schools across three campuses, including a kindergarten, primary school, and a girls’ high school.
The couple started out as teachers after graduating from Makerere University. Daniel taught at Namilyango High School in Uganda before moving to Thika High, and later to Kagumo High School. His wife also taught at Thika High before joining Leeds University and the University of Nairobi (UoN) to further her studies. Prof Eddah went on to lecture at UoN between 1973 to 1987.
Nelson Muguku and Leah Wanjiku
The late Nelson Muguku rose from humble beginnings to own multi-billion-shilling properties and investments across the country. His journey began when he taught carpentry at Kabianga Teachers’ College (now Kabianga High School), while his wife, Leah Wanjiku, taught at Kagaa Primary School in Githunguri, Kiambu County.
The couple transitioned from teaching to poultry farming, where they built their wealth, eventually expanding their investment portfolio into the stock market.
Daniel arap Moi
The longest-serving president in Kenya, was a man who valued education, as evidenced by his investment in schools during his reign.
Moi trained as a teacher at Tambach Training College and later at Kagumo Teacher’s College. He taught at Tambach and eventually became the headmaster of a school in Keiyo District, where he served from 1946 until 1955. He amassed billions during his 24-year rule.
Dr. Simon Gicharu
He is the founder and chairman of Mount Kenya University (MKU), the largest private university in East and Central Africa.
Before becoming one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs, the billionaire worked as a secondary school teacher. He later lectured at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Thika Technical Training Institute.
Being fired by the Teachers Service Commission turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it sparked his entrepreneurial drive. In addition to the university, he owns Cape Media Limited, which runs TV47 and Radio47.
Mwai Kibaki
The late former President of Kenya was an assistant lecturer at the prestigious Makerere University in Uganda. He made history as the first African to attain first-class honors from the London School of Economics.
He accumulated a great deal of wealth when he entered politics.
