When people talk about Busia County, many Kenyans only know it as that place at the border where trucks queue for hours heading to Uganda. But let me tell you, there is so much more to this county than just border crossings and long queues.
Busia County is a hidden gem in Kenya's economic landscape, a place where agriculture meets commerce, where Lake Victoria provides fish for millions, and where some of the wealthiest Kenyans have their roots.
This county, sitting pretty on Kenya's western border with Uganda, has quietly produced billionaires, politicians, football stars, and business moguls who have made their mark not just in Kenya but across the world.
Yet, despite all this wealth, the county still grapples with high poverty levels and development challenges. It is this interesting contrast that makes Busia County one of the most fascinating places in Kenya.
The Economic Engine of Western Kenya
Busia County's economy is anchored by three main pillars: cross-border trade, agriculture, and fishing. These three sectors work together like a well-oiled machine, keeping the county's economy running day in and day out.
The Busia and Malaba border towns are the busiest entry points between Kenya and Uganda. On any given day, you will find hundreds of cargo trucks lining up, carrying everything from electronics to foodstuffs.
This cross-border trade is not just about big business; it is the lifeline for thousands of small-scale traders who cross daily to buy and sell goods.
The county government collects revenue through market fees, business permits, and various trade-related levies at these border points.
Agriculture is the backbone of Busia's economy. The county is blessed with fertile land that supports small-scale farming of sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, maize, beans, and cassava.
The Busia County Department of Agriculture has been actively pushing for value addition and agribusinesses like cassava and coffee processing, aiming to help farmers earn more from their produce.
Then there is fishing. With Lake Victoria on its doorstep, particularly in the Budalangi area, fishing is a major economic activity.
The lake provides Nile perch and tilapia, which are not just consumed locally but also exported to regional and international markets.
The county has been exploring partnerships to unlock its vast fisheries potential, with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma recently holding fruitful deliberations with TradeMark Africa on transforming the fisheries sector.
Economic Challenges That Refuse to Go Away
For all its potential, Busia County faces some serious economic challenges that have kept many of its residents trapped in poverty.
According to various reports, poverty levels in the county have historically hovered around 70 percent, peaking at 83 percent in some reports.
These figures reflect structural challenges including unemployment, reliance on subsistence agriculture, poor infrastructure, and limited access to quality health and education services.
The county's economy centres on small-scale farming of maize, beans, and sugarcane, fishing near Lake Victoria, and trade at border points.
But vulnerabilities such as floods, low productivity, and limited formal employment leave many households struggling to meet basic needs. Poor feeder roads further hinder trade and farming, making it difficult for farmers to access markets.
The county government has been working hard to change this narrative. There has been a significant push to digitise revenue collection systems to plug financial leakages and expand own-source revenue.
Busia recorded a significant increase in own-source revenue collection due to reforms, collecting Sh509 million in the 2024/2025 financial year, up from Sh400 million in 2023/2024. The county is now targeting to collect Sh707 million in the current financial year.
Governor Paul Otuoma has been at the forefront of these reforms, with own-source revenue rising from Sh292 million in 2022 to the current Sh509 million.
The migration from manual cash collection to a cashless revenue system supported by technology has been a game-changer.
The county is also part of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), which fosters inter-county, industrial, and social collaboration to improve local livelihoods.
Additionally, recent Memoranda of Understanding signed between Kenya and Uganda cover key sectors such as tourism, development of the Greater Busia Metro, mining, fisheries, and agriculture, promising to bring more development to the region.
TOP RICHEST PEOPLE IN BUSIA COUNTY.
The Awori Family: A Dynasty of Success
Now, let us talk about the people who have put Busia County on the map when it comes to wealth. The Awori family is arguably the richest and most successful family from Busia County.
The family's patriarch, the late Jeremiah Musungu Awori, was the pioneer African canon of the Anglican Church. He had 17 children, and it seems like every single one of them became successful in their own right.
Moody Awori, fondly known as "Uncle Moody," is perhaps the most famous of the Aworis. He was an accomplished politician who served as Minister for Home Affairs and later as Vice President of Kenya from 2003 to 2008.
His sister Mary Okello founded Makini School, one of Kenya's most prestigious educational institutions.
Dennis Awori served as Kenya's ambassador to Japan, while Aggrey Awori once served as a Member of Parliament in Uganda.
Hannington Awori worked as a civil engineer, and Nelson Awori was a medic who conducted Kenya's first kidney transplant.
While the actual wealth of the Awori family remains unknown, their deep pockets were clearly demonstrated when they contributed Ksh 800 million to rescue their sister Grace Wakhungu from an imminent jail term after she was accused of a multimillion maize scandal.
That is the kind of money that shows you are not just rich but truly wealthy. According to some estimates, Moody Awori alone is worth around USD 26.5 million (approximately KSh 3.5 billion).
Desterio Oyatsi: The Billionaire Lawyer
Desterio Oyatsi is a man who has built his empire through a sharp combination of legal and business acumen. He studied law at Oxford University before proceeding to the Kenya School of Law for his postgraduate diploma.
For over four decades, he has served as an advocate of the High Court and is a managing partner at Shapley Barret & Co. Advocates, one of the oldest law firms in Kenya.
Oyatsi represented former President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Hague. When Uhuru was serving as Deputy Prime Minister, he also tasked Oyatsi with suing the Star Newspaper for alleged defamation.
But Oyatsi's wealth does not come from law alone. Between 1998 and 2002, he served as a director for the Capital Markets Authority, where he helped lay the regulatory framework.
He also worked as a director for Telkom Kenya and a commissioner for the Kenya Law Reform Commission.
He served on the Kenol Kobil board and worked as chairman of the Commercial Bank of Africa between 2012 and 2020.
Currently, Oyatsi chairs Base Titanium Limited, the country's largest mining project. He was pivotal in the initial negotiations and resettlement that paved the way for the project.
He also plays a leading role at Musiara Limited, which manages high-end safari properties. As Deputy Group Chair of NCBA, he holds 21.7 million shares valued at around KSh 1.8 billion.
His NCBA stake alone has made him a billionaire. By early 2026, his net worth was estimated at $16 million.
Victor Wanyama: Football's Golden Boy
Victor Wanyama is the richest Kenyan footballer in 2025. The retired midfielder played for top clubs including Celtic, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and CF Montreal.
His weekly wages at these clubs were handsome, allowing him to accumulate an estimated net worth of up to KSh 1.9 billion.
Wanyama owns mansions in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, and London. He has also made millions from endorsements and other investments.
His journey from the streets of Nairobi to becoming one of Kenya's wealthiest individuals is nothing short of inspirational. According to reports, his net worth is estimated at $13.9 million (KSh 1.8 billion).
Macdonald Mariga: The Other Football Star
Macdonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama's older brother, is also among the wealthiest individuals from Busia County.
He is the first Kenyan footballer to ever play in the UEFA Champions League, featuring for Inter Milan. He also played for Parma and Real Sociedad before retiring in 2019.
Mariga's net worth is estimated at around KSh 907 million. He has invested in real estate and drives high-end vehicles, including a Range Rover Vellar. He is currently the FKF Vice President and has also dabbled in politics.
Ahmed Ali Taib: The Sugar Baron
Ahmed Ali Taib is a billionaire industrialist who owns Busia Sugar Industry Limited, whose daily output is an estimated 3,000 tonnes per day.
In a major business move, Taib's company officially took over the operations of Sony Sugar Company in 2025 after winning an international tender floated by the National Government.
Busia Sugar Industry Ltd is a privately owned sugar milling company based in Busia County. Taib is its founder and Managing Director.
The takeover of Sony Sugar was a historic moment, with Taib promising to pay farmers within seven days. This move has positioned him as one of the most powerful players in Kenya's sugar industry.
Amos Wako: The Legal Giant
Amos Wako comes from Matayos Constituency in Busia County. He served as Kenya's Attorney General for over two decades, from May 1991 to August 2011. He then was elected Busia County Senator.
Due to his long-term civil service alongside an illustrious legal career that saw him serve in international bodies such as the UN, Amos Wako is reported to be worth about half a billion Kenyan shillings. Some estimates put his net worth at up to Sh2.4 billion.
Ababu Namwamba: The Political and Business Player
During his vetting for the position of Permanent Representative to the UNEP, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba revealed that his net worth was a cool Ksh 500 million.
He disclosed that his investments included residential areas, business interests, shareholdings, and pension.
Namwamba owns Che's Bay Resort in Port Victoria, a picturesque hotel sitting between Singwe and Mwita Fubu Hills in Busia County on the shores of Lake Victoria.
His net worth represents an increase of Ksh 75 million over two years, up from his previous declaration of Ksh 425 million during his vetting as Sports Cabinet Secretary in 2022.
Charles Wesonga: The Hospitality King
Charles Wesonga is the owner of Hotel Itoya. The facility boasts 60 rooms with ensuite bathrooms and spacious work desks.
Through this hotel, the proprietor has secured lucrative tenders, including the flagging of the Kipkeino Classic. In 2021, he made headlines when the taxman slapped him with a tax bill of Ksh 22 million.
Kevin Okwara: From Computer Instructor to Hotel Owner
Kevin Okwara is a politician and owner of the iconic Noble Hotel and Alphax College in Eldoret. He began his career as a computer instructor before venturing into the hospitality industry. His journey shows that with determination, anyone can build wealth from humble beginnings.
Chris Okemo and Sospeter Ojaamong: The Political Heavyweights
Chris Okemo is a former Cabinet Minister who is said to have accumulated fortunes worth billions of shillings.
Sospeter Ojaamong served as the first governor of Busia County. While his net worth is not publicly disclosed, he could be worth over Ksh 500 million. Some estimates put his net worth at KSh 3.68 billion, making him the fifth richest governor in Kenya.
Governor Paul Otuoma: The Current Leader
Dr. Paul Otuoma serves as the current governor of Busia County. He is a former Funyula MP and had a tenure as Local Government Minister. While his net worth is not publicly available, he certainly is a multimillionaire.
A County of Contrasts
Busia County is truly a land of contrasts. It is a place where some of Kenya's wealthiest individuals have their roots, yet where poverty levels remain stubbornly high.
It is a major economic gateway between Kenya and Uganda, yet many of its roads remain in poor condition. It is rich in agricultural potential, yet many farmers still struggle to make ends meet.
But there is hope on the horizon. The county government, under Governor Paul Otuoma, has been implementing reforms to improve revenue collection and service delivery.
The national government has also announced major projects in the county, including the construction of 10,000 affordable housing units, 6,000 student hostel beds, and 14 modern markets.
The Greater Busia Metro Project, supported by an MoU between Kenya and Uganda, will enable the implementation of joint infrastructure and development programmes in Busia on both sides of the border.
For the people of Busia County, the future looks bright. The wealth that has been generated by its most successful sons and daughters is a testament to the potential that lies within this county.
With the right investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, Busia County can transform from a "silent" county into one of Kenya's economic powerhouses.
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