Top 10 Richest People in Bungoma County

Bungoma County, located in Kenya’s Western region, is a bustling hub of agricultural trade, political influence, and cross-border commerce. As home to sugarcane fields, transport corridors, and one of Kenya’s busiest border routes, Bungoma has nurtured political powerhouses, international entrepreneurs, and rising creatives. In 2025, the region boasts a roster of influential billionaires and multimillionaires shaping not just the county, but the national economy as well.

Table of Contents

Bungoma town is the capital of Bungoma County in Kenya. It was established as a trading centre in the early 20th century. It is located in Kenya’s fertile Western region and at the foot of Mount Elgon, Kenya’s second-highest mountain. The town and the surrounding areas have one of Kenya’s highest average rainfalls, making Bungoma one of the nation’s most important food baskets.

Farming is the main economic activity in the county. Bungoma County is dependent on sugarcane farming, with one of the country’s largest sugar factories as well as numerous small-holder sugar mills. Maize is also grown for subsistence, alongside pearl millet and sorghum. Dairy farming is widely practised, as well as the raising of poultry. There is a small but important tourist circuit, centring on the biennial circumcision ceremonies that are mostly practiced by the Bukusu, Tachoni and Sabaot peoples.

Aside from sugar processing, the town also contains various other manufacturing plants such as maize mills, large bakeries, dairy plants and a plastic factory. Other smaller-scale manufacturing activities include steel crafting, iron sheet production, garages and auto repairs.

The services sector is also quite vibrant. There is a busy retail sector dominated by local brands, several banks, insurance companies and large hotels to support the local tourist circuit.

Here is a List of Top 10 Richest People in Bungoma County

Below is a ranked list of the Top 10 Richest People in Bungoma County, based on net worth, industry impact, and public records.

1. Moses Wetang’ula

Moses Francis Masika Wetang’ula (born 13 September 1956), is the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya in 2025, after being elected on September 8, 2022. He is also the leader of the FORD-Kenya, one of the most popular political parties in Western Kenya. He served as Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2012, and as Minister for Trade from 2012 to 2013.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 10 billion (~USD 76.5 million)
Industry: Politics, Legal Practice
Overview:
Moses Wetang’ula, current Speaker of the National Assembly and veteran politician, tops the list. With decades in law, diplomacy, and leadership—including stints as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade—Wetang’ula’s influence translates into major land, business, and consultancy interests across Kenya and the region.

2. Kenneth Lusaka

Kenneth Makelo Lusaka (born 18 September 1963) is the current governor of Bungoma County. Previously, he served as the speaker of Senate [2017 -2022] and was the 1st Governor of Bungoma County in Kenya, a term he served between 4 March 2013 to 8 August 2017 where he was defeated by Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati in the 2017 General Elections. As the 2022 General Election approached, Lusaka left Jubilee and returned to Ford Kenya, a party under the umbrella of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Running on a Ford Kenya ticket, Lusaka contested for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat once again in August 2022 and successfully reclaimed the position by defeating incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 7 billion (~USD 53.5 million)
Industry: Politics, Public Administration
Overview:
Governor Lusaka has built his legacy through public service, serving as both Senate Speaker and Bungoma’s Governor. His investments in real estate, logistics, and agribusiness have quietly amassed him considerable wealth, particularly within the western corridor.

3. Benson Mbaisi

A contractor known to own properties like Milimani Gardens and Elegant Hotel.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 6 billion (~USD 45.8 million)
Industry: Technology, Media, E-commerce

4. Tim Wanyonyi

Timothy Wanyonyi Wetangula is a Kenyan lawyer and politician serving as a member of parliament representing Westlands Constituency. He was first elected as a councillor for the defunct Nairobi City Council in 2007 election, before being elected Westlands MP during 2013 elections and defended his seat in the 2017 and 2022 general elections held on 8 August 2017 and 9 August 2022 respectively. He is a brother to Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya and former senator for Bungoma County. He is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement.^[1]

Wetangula founded the Kenya Paraplegic Organisation. He is in the Azimio la Umoja coalition movement that lost in the 2022 general elections.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 5 billion (~USD 38.2 million)
Industry: Law, Politics
Overview:
Brother to Wetang’ula and current MP for Westlands, Wanyonyi is a distinguished lawyer and advocate for people living with disabilities. His wealth stems from legal practice, consultancy, and real estate assets built over years in Nairobi and Bungoma.

5. Susan Wakhungu-Githuku

Susan Wakhungu-Githuku (born 1960) is a Kenyan business executive, writer, and publishing house founder, who in her youth was ranked as Kenya’s top women’s tennis player. She was born in Bungoma in British Kenya and around the age of 11 moved to Nairobi. While attending Loreto Convent Valley Road High School, she began to play tennis. In 1978, she qualified to play in the Junior girls’ singles at the Wimbledon Championships. According to the sports journalist Ross McLean, she was the first Kenyan to play in a Junior Grand Slam tournament and until 2022 was the only Kenyan to have qualified for and played in a Junior Grand Slam event at Wimbledon.^[1] At the 1978 All-Africa Games she won the gold medal in women’s doubles and the silver medal for the women’s singles. While studying at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, she played in the college circuit. After winning a women’s singles title at the World University Games in Mexico City in 1979, she became Kenya’s top women’s player. She was the 1983 women’s champion at the Robbialac Classic Tournament and won the tournament’s women’s doubles title with her sister Judi Wakhungu the following year. In 1984, she was the winner of the women’s matches at the Kenya Closed Championships and in 1987 won the bronze medal in ladies’ doubles at the All-Africa Games, before retiring from tennis.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 4 billion (~USD 30.5 million)
Industry: Publishing, Business Strategy
Overview:
A corporate strategist and former tennis star, Susan Wakhungu-Githuku leads a high-impact publishing house and business advisory brand. She’s a sought-after leadership speaker and boardroom figure, representing Bungoma’s elite in Nairobi’s C-suite circles.

6. Eliud Wabukala

Eliud Wamukekhe Wabukala (born in Bungoma West District, 26 June 1951) is a Kenyan Anglican Archbishop notable as a leader in the Anglican realignment. He is Bishop of the Diocese of All Saints Cathedral and the fifth Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya. The Archbishop was a widower, following the death of his wife in 2010, and has five adult children from his first marriage. He married for the second time at 11 May 2012, in a ceremony that took place in Mombasa

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 3.5 billion (~USD 26.8 million)
Industry: Religion, Education
Overview:
Former Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Wabukala leveraged influence in religious and moral governance. He has led national ethical commissions and played key roles in expanding educational institutions, earning him wealth and respect.

7. Valentine Nekesa

Valentine Nekesa, is a Kenyan entrepreneur, designer and motivational speaker who founded Nekesa Queens Limited. She was born and raised in Webuye, in Bungoma County, in western Kenya. Nekesa was raised by her mother. In 2009, Valentine’s mother died when Valentine was only 12 years old.

In 2008, at age 11 years when she was a student in Senior One, a friend asked Nekesa to make her an outfit so that she could participate in the school pageant. The friend was satisfied, which encouraged Nekesa to design more outfits. While in high school, she continued to design outfits for different people.

In 2014, while waiting to enter university, a friend asked her to make her an outfit for an event. Nekesa invested Sh1,000 (approx. US$10) and earned Sh1,500 (approx. US$15). Thus, her company VN Designs was created. A cousin donated a sewing machine so Nekesa could make her outfits in-house.

In February 2017, at age 19 years, she entered a television reality show sponsored by Safaricom. The eight-week show saw Nekesa emerge victorious over 11 other contestants. The prize was a cash prize of Sh3 million (approx. US$30,000) and Sh2 million (approx. $20,000) in services from participating Kenyan businesses. She intends to use her winnings to expand her business, which had three employees as of October 2017.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 3 billion (~USD 22.9 million)
Industry: Fashion, Entrepreneurship
Overview:
At just 20 years old, Nekesa won the ‘Be Your Own Boss’ competition. Now the CEO of Nekesa Queens Ltd, she has grown her fashion line into a nationally recognized brand. Her firm designs and exports couture pieces, redefining youth entrepreneurship in Bungoma.

8. Alfred Khang’ati

Alfred Khang’ati is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Kanduyi Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the 2007 Kenyan parliamentary election

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 2.5 billion (~USD 19.1 million)
Industry: Politics, Real Estate
Overview:
A former Assistant Minister and Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant, Khang’ati has longstanding influence in political circles. He owns residential properties in Bungoma and Nairobi, along with key stakes in regional agro-based ventures.

9. Wycliffe Wangamati

Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati is a Kenyan national and politician who served as the second governor of Bungoma on a Ford Kenya ticket. Wangamati came to power after defeating Kenneth Lusaka in the 2017 election. In the election on August 9, 2022, he was again defeated by Kenneth Lusaka who was then the Speaker of the Senate. Wangamati only ruled Bungoma County for One term.

Wangamati was born and raised in Kanduyi. His father, Patrick Wangamati, was a Ford Kenya nominated MP and served as Mayor of Webuye in the 1980s. He attended Kanduyi DEB, St Mary’s Kibabii and Musingu High Schools. He later pursued his bachelor’s degree at Moi University.

Prior to joining politics, Wangamati was the executive director for Alexander Forbes East Africa. He was also a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 2 billion (~USD 15.3 million)
Industry: Actuarial Science, Politics
Overview:
Wangamati, an actuary by profession and former Governor, brought data-driven strategy to Bungoma’s governance. Before entering politics, he was managing director of Alexander Forbes East Africa—his career earnings and investments place him high on this list.

10. Wafula Wakoli

Estimated Net Worth: KSh 1.5 billion (~USD 11.5 million)
Industry: Politics, Public Engagement
Overview:
As Senator for Bungoma and a champion of youth empowerment, Wakoli’s public profile and behind-the-scenes investments have made him a quiet force in Bungoma’s growing economic class.

Conclusion

From national political figures to global tech CEOs, Bungoma County’s richest individuals represent a wide economic spectrum. Whether through law, faith, digital innovation, or creative industries, these men and women are not only building wealth but also shaping the region’s future. Their stories reflect the potential of Western Kenya as a hub of leadership, investment, and transformation.

Disclaimer: Net worth values are estimates based on public financial disclosures, media reports, company evaluations, and industry data as of 2025.