In Kenya, the Somali community is one of the three tribes regarded as being the best when it comes to investing in businesses.
Somalis brag with Kikuyus and Indian counterparts as being the majority group to lead Kenya’s business industry .
These business-minded Somalis have invested in lucrative sectors such as in retail, manufacturing, transport & logistics, among other businesses.
Ahmednasir Abdullahi
Better known as the Grand Mullar, the senior counsel has vastly invested in various business across the country.
The former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President who served between 2003 and 2005 is the current Chairman of Al-Nur Media Africa. and the owner and publisher of the Nairobi Law Monthly Magazine.
Grand Mullar who was the former Judicial Service Commission and also served in 2003, as the Chair of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Advisory Board also owns the famous lawfirm, Ahmednasir Abdullahi Advocates LLP.
He also took part in Kenya Presidential Election Petition of 2013 in which he won the case that sought to illegitimize President Uhuru Kenyatta’s win.
After the win, Grand Mullar reportedly was paid close to Ksh. 40 million.
Mohamed Abdi and Issack Somow
Mohamed Abdi and Issack Somow together own Skyward Express, a premier charter company in the East African aviation industry.
Both owners worked previously as pilots – Captain Mohamed Abdi, who is the company chairman and Issack Somow, who is its former Managing Director.
Yusuf Abdi Adan, Hussein Farah, Mohammed Abdikadir
In early 1960s and 1980s Yusuf Abdi Adan was commanding the Meru-Chuka trade routes.
In 1992, two former officers from Kenya Air Force, Col Hussein Farah and Major Hussein Mohammed were invited to form the Blue Bird Aviation Company by Yusuf Adan.
From an airline that started with a Cessna 402, registration 5Y-LAM, Bluebird brags today as the second biggest airline after Kenya Airways, with a fleet of 19 aircraft and a valuation of Ksh12 billion.
Aden Duale
The list of wealthiest Somalis in Kenya would not be complete without mentioning Garissa Township Member of Parliament Adan Duale.
The MP owns a camel farm in Balambala Constituency in Garissa county.
Besides, Somali community, camels are a symbol of wealth and status.
Lawmaker has also owns two sister hotels, that is, the Nomad hotel in Garissa and another branch in Nairobi.
Duale is associated with the Hagar Construction company, which once build the Garissa Provincial Hospital at a cost of Sh40 million.
Ahmed Jibril
Ahmed Jibril owns 748 Air Services Company which was founded in 1994.
Jibril has remained active in the operation of the airline since 1994.
Ahmed Jibril also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Nairobi and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.
748 Air Services Company owns a fleet of aircraft comprising Ksh214million Cessna Caravans and Ksh369 million Dash8-100.