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Eight Kenyans make Forbes’ list of top investors

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Joel Mwale (left), founder Skydrop Enterprises and Evans Wadongo, chairman Sustainable Development For All. Photos/FILE

Eight Kenyans have been made it to the Forbes annual list of African entrepreneurs under the age of 30 for making the most impact in the continent.

Lorna Rutto, founder EcoPost; Evans Wadongo, chairman Sustainable Development For All (SDFA); Cosmas Ochieng, founder Ecofuels; Eric Muthomi, founder Stawi Foods & Fruits; Joel Mwale, founder Skydrop Enterprises; Mark Kaigwa, partner Afrinnovator; and Ian Kahara and Kimiti Wanjaria of Serene Valley properties were nominated for their efforts in alleviating common problems like unemployment and poor waste management.

According to Forbes, a panel of 12 judges from Africa was picked to help identify the entrepreneurs who have been outstanding in their service to humanity.

The 30 finalists were then picked from a group of other applicants as outstanding in their clusters. There were 15 categories ranging from Real Estate, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Media, Tech, Green tech, Healthcare and Agriculture.

Mr Kahara and Mr Wanjaria are young entrepreneurs who have managed to make remarkable contribution in real estate, an area most of their peers have shied from due to huge initial investment associated with it.

“The listing came as a complete surprise to us,” said Mr Kahara director and co-founder of Serene Valley Properties Limited.

The two have invested in the lucrative real estate segment, developing Sh350 million homes at Sigona Valley. The Sigona Valley project is an exclusive gated community in to Nairobi. The project entails 30 homes set on a four-acre piece of land.

“Being listed in the 30 under 30 innovators and entrepreneurs is a humbling experience that reinforces the need for perseverance, dedication, a clear goal and divine intervention,” said Mr Wanjaria also a director of Serene Valley Properties Limited.

Other Kenyans who have been featured in Forbes wealthy personalities reviews are Chris Kirubi, Uhuru Kenyatta and Naushad Merali.