The Billionaires of Kenya: Meet Mary-Ann Musangi, Woman Chosen to Rebrand Magical Kenya

The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos

The Billionaires of Kenya: Meet Mary-Ann Musangi, Woman Chosen to Rebrand Magical Kenya

Mary-Ann Musangi is one of the richest Kenyans, a billionaire commanding an empire worth an estimated Ksh13 billion ($100 million).

As the daughter and heiress of the late billionaire Chris Kirubi, she now oversees one of the country’s most prominent family fortunes, with stakes in Centum Investment Plc, KCB Group. 

She also has shares in Haco Industries, Capital Media Group, and prime assets in real estate, insurance, and healthcare.

When Kirubi passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer, many wondered who would step into his shoes and take over his once estimated at Ksh40 billion ($350 million) empire.

However, his daughter Mary-Ann has emerged as the steward of his legacy, proving herself in the boardroom and beyond.

How Mary-Ann Was Prepared to Take Over the Empire

Mary-Ann’s preparation for leadership began early. At the age of 12, her father sent her to school in Switzerland, an experience that broadened her worldview and introduced her to international business culture.

She later pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at the University of Surrey in the UK, followed by a Master of Science in Management.

In past interviews, she said that her father’s greatest gift was quality education. Mary-Ann would quietly observe her father as he ran the family business, and sometimes even served him tea during home meetings just to get some insights.

After her studies, she built a career working with global corporations, including Coca-Cola, Kenya Commercial Bank, GlaxoSmithKline, and Ogilvy & Mather.

She also served on the boards of Haco Tiger Brands, UAP Investments Limited, International House Limited, Woof Advertising & Marketing, Croyden Limited, and Sheraton Rongai.

Also Read: The Billionaires of Kenya: Inside the Quiet Empire of Humphrey Kariuki

Her Journey to Becoming a Billionaire

Her entrepreneurial streak shone in 2011 when she opened Secret Garden, followed by Olpul in 2017, two high-end restaurants that redefined Nairobi’s dining scene. 

However, the restaurants shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, she became Managing Director of Haco Industries, her father’s flagship company. By then, she had already stepped into the driver’s seat of the family businesses as Kirubi sought treatment abroad.

“I had been running the business for five years before he passed away. People knew who I was, they trusted me, we developed strategies together, and we knew where businesses were going,” Mary-Ann Musangi.

Kirubi’s will left 80% of his estate to Mary-Ann and her brother Robert, while 20% went to his siblings.

Their half-sister, Fiona, initially received a token amount but later secured 10% from Mary-Ann and Robert’s share to avoid court battles.

With Robert returning to his corporate role at DHL in Europe, the day-to-day responsibility of running the empire fell on Mary-Ann.

The estate, estimated today at $100 million, continues to influence multiple industries in Kenya.

Also Read: The Billionaires of Kenya: Meet Teacher Turned Businesswoman Leah Wanjiku Muguku

Beyond the Family Fortune

Mary-Ann is now a national figure in her own right. On August 16, 2025, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano appointed her to chair the tourism rebranding taskforce.

The task force is a 23-member team mandated to overhaul the “Magical Kenya” brand and reposition the country as a youth-driven, tech-savvy, and sustainable global destination.

Outside the boardroom, Mary-Ann is a devoted wife and mother.

She is married to Andrew Musangi, a respected lawyer, businessman, and the Chairman of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The couple has two daughters.

To avoid conflicts of interest after her husband’s CBK appointment, she resigned from the board of Sidian Bank, where the Kirubi family holds significant stakes.

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This post The Billionaires of Kenya: Meet Mary-Ann Musangi, Woman Chosen to Rebrand Magical Kenya first appeared on The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos and is written by Joy Kwama