Top 10 Richest People in Kilifi and Their Net Worth In 2026

Kilifi County has undergone a profound economic metamorphosis over the last decade. Historically recognized primarily for its pristine coastline and tourism-dependent economy, the region has transitioned into a diversified economic powerhouse. This evolution is driven by a new class of ultra-high-net-worth individuals who have leveraged the county’s strategic location, its untapped agricultural potential, and a burgeoning real estate market. From the established political elite to the rise of unconventional wealth in agritech and religious entrepreneurship, the fiscal landscape of Kilifi is more robust—and more concentrated—than ever before.

As of early 2026, Kilifi is home to a select group of multi-millionaires and billionaires (in KES) who command significant influence over the local labor market and public policy. The top of the list is dominated by figures who have successfully navigated the intersection of public service and private enterprise, alongside innovators who are redefining the "blue economy" and sustainable forestry. The total estimated wealth of the top ten individuals alone exceeds KES 15 billion, underscoring the county's status as a critical node in Kenya’s coastal economic corridor.

At the top of this year's ranking is Amason Jeffah Kingi, whose diversified portfolio in law, real estate, and high-level politics continues to set the benchmark for regional wealth accumulation.

Compare how the wealthy people of Kilifi compare to Top 10 Richest people in Mombasa and the Richest People in Kwale County. 

1. Amason Jeffah Kingi

• Age: 52
• Residence: Magarini/Mombasa, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Speaker of the Senate / Legal Practice & Real Estate
• Net Worth: KES 3.5B – 5B+
• Major Holdings: Kingi & Company Advocates, extensive residential and commercial real estate in Mombasa and Kilifi, Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party interests.

Amason Jeffah Kingi remains the wealthiest and most influential figure in Kilifi as of 2026. A lawyer by profession, Kingi’s ascent began with his education at the University of Nairobi, where he earned his LLB in 1998. His early career as a legal practitioner provided the foundation for his entry into politics, where he served as the MP for Magarini and later as the first Governor of Kilifi County for two terms. His tenure as governor allowed him to oversee the massive infrastructure development of the county, during which he strategically invested in the burgeoning coastal real estate market.

Kingi’s wealth is not merely a product of his political salary; it is deeply rooted in his legal firm and a series of high-value property acquisitions along the North Coast. As the current Speaker of the Senate, his national stature has further bolstered his business interests, particularly in the logistics and consultancy sectors. He is also recognized for his philanthropy through the PAA party network, often funding community-based projects and educational scholarships. His ability to maintain a dominant presence in both the national legislative house and the local business circuit makes him a singular figure in Kilifi's economic history.

2. Gideon Mung'aro

• Age: 59
• Residence: Malindi, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Governor of Kilifi / Hospitality & Land
• Net Worth: KES 2B – 3B
• Major Holdings: Multiple hospitality ventures in Malindi, significant acreage in Kilifi North, and interests in the tourism service industry.

Gideon Maitha Mung'aro, the current Governor of Kilifi, occupies the second spot on our list. Mung'aro’s wealth is intrinsically tied to the tourism and hospitality sector of Malindi. Before his rise to the governorship, Mung'aro served as the Mayor of Malindi and later as the MP for Malindi and Kilifi North. His background in Business Management from Gretsa University served him well as he navigated the complex landscape of coastal land ownership.

Mung'aro is credited with being one of the largest private landholders in the Malindi area. His portfolio includes several high-end villas and hospitality-related businesses that cater to the international tourism market. During his time as the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Lands, he gained deep insights into land value appreciation, which significantly informed his private investment strategy. His current role as Governor has seen him focus on the "Blue Economy," a sector where he also holds private commercial interests through various proxies and companies specializing in maritime services.

3. Ezekiel Odero

• Age: 48
• Residence: Mavueni, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Founder, New Life Prayer Centre and Church
• Net Worth: KES 1.2B – 2B
• Major Holdings: The 300-acre New Life Prayer Centre complex, New Life International School, a four-story staff residential block, and a multi-million-shilling mansion.

Pastor Ezekiel Odero represents a dramatic shift in the sources of wealth within Kilifi. Once a fisherman and a mason, Odero has built a religious empire in Mavueni that rivals the largest corporate entities in the region. His 300-acre "church city" is a self-sustaining ecosystem featuring a 45,000-capacity sanctuary, a gas station, a hospital, a restaurant, and a high-end international school.

Unlike other entries on this list, Odero's wealth is largely liquid and asset-heavy within a single, massive development. The "New Life City" has transformed Mavueni from a quiet rural outpost into a bustling commercial hub, with land prices in the surrounding area tripling since his arrival. Despite legal scrutiny over the years, his influence continues to grow, fueled by a massive following that contributes through tithes and the purchase of religious merchandise. His estate in Kilifi is considered one of the most valuable single-owner properties in the entire Coast region.

4. Aisha Jumwa

• Age: 50
• Residence: Malindi/Nairobi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Business & Politics
• Net Worth: KES 1B – 2B
• Major Holdings: Residential properties in Malindi and Nairobi (valued at over KES 100M in 2022), diversified "side hustles" in the service industry, and extensive land in Ganda.

Aisha Jumwa’s financial trajectory is a testament to the power of political branding and aggressive business expansion. Starting her career in local government as a councilor, she climbed the ranks to become the Malindi MP and later a Cabinet Secretary. During her 2022 vetting, she declared a net worth of KES 100 million, but subsequent investments in real estate and her involvement in the procurement and logistics sectors have seen her net worth balloon in the years following.

Jumwa’s primary assets are her high-value residential homes and her strategic land holdings in Kilifi, which have appreciated significantly due to the expansion of the Malindi-Mombasa highway. She is known for her "no-nonsense" approach to business, often taking a direct hand in the management of her various commercial interests. Her wealth is a blend of traditional land assets and revenue from service-based companies that operate across the Coast and Nairobi.

5. Dan Kazungu

• Age: 56
• Residence: Malindi, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Tech (IBM/Lenovo), Mining, & Diplomacy
• Net Worth: KES 800M – 1.5B
• Major Holdings: Shares in Caracal Gold PLC, real estate in Malindi, and consulting firms specializing in Information Technology.

Dan Kazungu is Kilifi's premier "Tech-Politico." Before entering the public arena, Kazungu spent over a decade in high-level corporate roles with global giants like IBM and Lenovo. His corporate pedigree is unmatched in the region, having served as a regional manager in charge of 12 countries. This background in IT and systems management provided him with the capital to venture into politics and later, the mining sector.

As a former Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Kazungu leveraged his diplomatic ties to enter the extractive industry. He currently serves as a non-executive director for Caracal Gold, a London-listed mining company. His wealth is highly diversified, consisting of tech investments, mining equities, and prime real estate in Malindi. Kazungu is often cited as a model for "the modern professional politician," maintaining a foot in the global corporate world while serving his local constituency.

6. Stewart Madzayo

• Age: 67
• Residence: Kilifi South
• Source of Wealth / Title: Senator / Legal Practice
• Net Worth: KES 700M – 1.2B
• Major Holdings: Madzayo & Company Advocates, extensive agricultural land in Kilifi South, and commercial buildings in Kilifi Town.

Justice (Rtd) Stewart Madzayo is the elder statesman of Kilifi’s legal and political elite. As a retired judge of the Industrial Court, Madzayo’s wealth is built on a long and distinguished legal career. His law firm, Madzayo & Company Advocates, remains one of the most sought-after practices in the Coast region, specializing in labor law and land disputes.

In addition to his legal practice, Madzayo has invested heavily in large-scale agriculture. He owns significant tracts of land in Kilifi South where he practices commercial farming, including coconut and cashew nut production. His position as the Senate Minority Leader has kept him at the center of Kenya’s political power structure, ensuring his business interests remain well-protected and lucrative. Madzayo’s wealth is characterized by its stability and long-term asset growth.

7. Tevis Howard

• Age: 42
• Residence: Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Founder & CEO of Komaza / Carbon Credits
• Net Worth: KES 700M – 1B
• Major Holdings: Equity in Komaza (valued at over $30M in Series B), carbon credit portfolios, and agritech patents.

Tevis Howard is the only non-Kenyan-born individual on this list, representing the surge of venture-capital-backed wealth in Kilifi. A Stanford-educated neuroscientist, Howard founded Komaza, a distributed forestry company, in 2006. Based in Kilifi town, Komaza has revolutionized the timber industry by partnering with smallholder farmers to plant trees.

Howard’s wealth is tied to the valuation of Komaza, which has raised over $50 million in venture capital to date. In 2026, the company’s expansion into the carbon credit market has significantly increased Howard’s personal net worth. By turning small-scale farms into a "virtual forest," Howard has created a multi-billion shilling enterprise that benefits the local community while generating substantial returns for its founders. His presence on this list highlights Kilifi as a hub for global environmental innovation.

8. William Mtengo

• Age: 58
• Residence: Malindi, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Logistics & Maritime Services
• Net Worth: KES 500M – 800M
• Major Holdings: Maritime clearing and forwarding companies, warehouse facilities in Malindi, and residential real estate.

William Mtengo, the former MP for Malindi, is a key player in the coastal logistics sector. Mtengo’s wealth is rooted in the "blue economy," specifically in maritime logistics and clearing and forwarding. Before entering politics, he held senior positions at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), where he gained the expertise needed to launch his own successful logistics firm.

Mtengo’s business operations are centered around the Malindi and Mombasa ports, providing essential services to the shipping industry. He has also invested heavily in warehousing and transport fleets, which move goods across the East African region. His wealth is a product of his deep understanding of the maritime trade, coupled with the political capital he earned during his tenure in the National Assembly.

9. Francis Bayah

• Age: 72
• Residence: Kaloleni, Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Civil Service (Legacy) & Land
• Net Worth: KES 400M – 700M
• Major Holdings: Massive land holdings in Kaloleni and the wider Coast region, inheritance assets, and commercial rentals.

Francis Bayah is a representative of the "old money" in Kilifi. A former Provincial Commissioner (PC) during the Moi era, Bayah accumulated vast tracts of land when the Coast region was first being surveyed for private ownership. His wealth is primarily tied to his status as a "land baron" in Kaloleni and Kilifi.

While he is less active in the modern corporate world than others on this list, the sheer value of his land holdings—much of which is now prime for development—keeps him firmly within the top ten. Bayah’s wealth is generational, and he is known for his extensive influence within the Mijikenda community elders, often serving as a bridge between traditional leadership and the modern political class.

10. Teddy Mwambire

• Age: 49
• Residence: Ganze/Kilifi
• Source of Wealth / Title: Business & Local Government
• Net Worth: KES 300M – 500M
• Major Holdings: Retail businesses in Ganze, agricultural ventures, and real estate in Kilifi Town.

Teddy Mwambire, the former Speaker of the Kilifi County Assembly and former MP for Ganze, rounds out our list. Mwambire’s wealth is built on a foundation of local government service and a strong portfolio of retail and agricultural businesses in Ganze. As the chairman of the ODM party in Kilifi, he has been a central figure in the county’s political machinery for over a decade.

Mwambire has focused his investments on sectors that serve the local population, including hardware stores, transport services, and large-scale cashew nut farming. His wealth is deeply rooted in the Ganze sub-county, where he is one of the largest employers. Despite recent political shifts, his business empire remains resilient, supported by a loyal local base and a diversified range of assets.

Who is the richest person in Kilifi?

As of 2026, the richest person in Kilifi is Amason Jeffah Kingi. With an estimated net worth ranging from KES 3.5 billion to over KES 5 billion, Kingi’s wealth is a product of his high-level political career, his successful legal practice, and a diversified portfolio of real estate across the Kenyan coast.

Who is the richest woman in Kilifi?

The richest woman in Kilifi is Aisha Jumwa. Her estimated net worth stands between KES 1 billion and KES 2 billion. Her wealth is primarily derived from her extensive residential and commercial real estate holdings in Malindi and Nairobi, along with various business ventures in the service and procurement sectors.