Mombasa County, Kenya’s second-largest economy, contributes 4.9% to the national GDP and serves as the country’s maritime gateway. Beyond its stunning beaches and historical significance, Mombasa is home to some of Kenya’s wealthiest and most influential business magnates and political figures. These individuals reside in upscale neighborhoods like Nyali, Shanzu, Tudor, and Bamburi, and have built empires in logistics, real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and finance.
Mombasa County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. Its capital city is Mombasa. In terms of economy, it is second most developed after Nairobi City County.[4] Mombasa was one of the districts of Kenya until 2013 when it was reconstituted as a county on the same boundaries. It is the smallest county in Kenya, covering an area of 229.7 km2, excluding 65 km2 of water mass. The county is situated in the southeastern part of the former Coast Province, bordering Kilifi County to the north, Kwale County to the south west and the Indian Ocean to the east. Administratively, the county is divided into seven divisions, eighteen locations and thirty sub-locations.
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Prior to 2013, Kenya was divided into eight provinces, which were subdivided into 47 counties. The former Coast Province contained six counties, of which Mombasa was one. It is situated in the southeast of Coast Province, and is the smallest county in size, covering an area of 212.5 km2.[5] The county lies between latitudes 3°56′ and 4°10′ south of the equator and longitudes 39°34′ and 39°46′ east.
In this article, we highlight the Top 10 Richest People in Mombasa County, ranked by their estimated net worth and their contribution to the port city’s growth and influence.
1. Mohammed Jaffer
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 15+ billion / USD 104 million
Mohammed Jaffer is the billionaire behind Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd., Kenya’s largest private cargo handling company. His firm controls a significant portion of the Port of Mombasa’s bulk grain imports and is valued at over Ksh 36 billion. A reclusive tycoon, Jaffer has kept a low profile while quietly expanding his business footprint across East Africa’s logistics and infrastructure sectors. His company has played a key role in reducing food import costs in Kenya, earning him both government recognition and business accolades.
2. Suleiman Shahbal
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 16.4 billion / USD 114 million
A veteran entrepreneur and politician, Suleiman Shahbal is the founder of GulfCap Group, a diversified investment firm with interests in real estate, banking, and energy. Shahbal rose to prominence after selling Gulf Energy to Rubis in 2019 for a record-breaking Ksh 16.4 billion. He is also the brain behind Buxton Point Housing Project in Mombasa and a Ksh 13 billion Starehe affordable housing contract. Currently serving as a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), he continues to influence both business and policy in Kenya’s coastal region.
3. Najib Balala
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 3.1 billion / USD 21.5 million
A long-serving Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and former Mombasa mayor, Najib Balala has been instrumental in promoting Kenya’s coastal tourism industry globally. Beyond public service, Balala is a strategic investor in hotels, land, and family-run tourism ventures. His deep connections in the hospitality and travel sectors, along with smart real estate investments in Mombasa and Nairobi, have helped grow his wealth significantly.
4. Swaleh Nguru (Family)
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 2.5 billion / USD 17.5 million
The late Awadh “Swaleh Nguru” Sherman was one of Kenya’s most influential Muslim tycoons. He once owned a third of Mombasa Island, with key holdings in Majengo, a densely populated commercial hub. His wealth stemmed from sisal farming, real estate development, and ranching. Though deceased, his estate remains valuable and contested, with multiple properties still generating income for the extended family.
5. Hassan Joho
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 2.3 billion / USD 16 million
Popularly known as “Sultan,” Hassan Joho is a former Mombasa governor and the current Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs. Joho is also a seasoned entrepreneur with interests in logistics and sanitation. His companies include Prima Pest and Bins Ltd., M-Tech Kenya, East Africa Terminals, Portside Freight Terminals, and Auto Port Freight Terminal (AFT). He owns luxurious homes across Mombasa, Malindi, and Nairobi, and drives a car fleet valued at over Ksh 90 million.
6. Tahir Sheikh Said (TSS) Family
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 2 billion / USD 14 million
The late TSS, once referred to as the Sultan of Logistics, built an empire through his TSS Group of Companies. The estate includes 33 parcels of land in Mombasa, and others in Nairobi, Lamu, Malindi, and Moyale. He held property in Cairo, London, and Middlesex. His family owns businesses in transport, milling, logistics, and insurance. TSS also held shares in Kenya Airways, Centum, and CFC Life. His estate, although currently entangled in legal disputes, remains one of the wealthiest legacies in Mombasa.
7. Rashid Sajjad Mohamed
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 1.5 billion / USD 10.5 million
A KANU-era political heavyweight and close ally of former President Moi, Rashid Sajjad made his wealth in logistics and warehousing. He owns the Milly Group, which comprises Embakasi Management, Pwani Warehousing, Old Town Property, Siben Estates, Kimakia Estates, and Airport Warehousing. Though now out of the political limelight, he remains a force in Mombasa’s property and logistics circles.
8. Deepak Kamani
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 1.5 billion / USD 10.5 million
The executive chairman of Zuri Group Global, Deepak Kamani oversees a multinational conglomerate with interests in hospitality, real estate, and power. His flagship hotel, Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, is one of the most luxurious on the Kenyan coast. While his family has faced legal scrutiny over historical government contract deals, Kamani’s personal wealth and business impact in the region are undeniable.
9. Hasnain Noorani
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 1.2 billion / USD 8.4 million
Founder and CEO of the PrideInn Group, Hasnain Noorani has grown his hospitality brand to include multiple hotels in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisumu. The group also runs PrideDRIVE, PrideFUELS, and Cake City. Noorani has been instrumental in modernizing Kenya’s mid-range hotel segment and has become a key influencer in East Africa’s hospitality scene.
10. Eric Kinoti
Estimated Net Worth: Ksh 800 million / USD 5.6 million
A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Eric Kinoti is the founder of Shade Systems EA Ltd., a leading supplier of tented structures across Africa. A native of Mombasa, Kinoti has also invested in transport and logistics businesses. His entrepreneurial journey has inspired many young Kenyans, making him one of the most admired self-made millionaires on the coast.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Richest People in Mombasa County are not just wealthy — they are pioneers who have shaped Mombasa’s business landscape. From port logistics and hospitality to real estate and public service, these influential figures have turned the county into an economic powerhouse, attracting local and international investment.
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