Controversial Businessman Jimi Wanjigi has opened up on the source of his wealth estimated to be worth billions of Kenyan shillings, noting that he started building his empire with a garbage collection business.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live Show, Wanjigi said he pioneered garbage collection business in Kenya without having any cash.
“My first business was garbage collection. I pioneered private garbage collection in this country. There was a time during the Moi administration that garbage in this city was a nightmare… I began that business without a penny,” he said.
According to Wanjigi, the garbage collection business opened avenues for him to engage in other business activities that helped him accumulate wealth.
Explaining the main source of his wealth, Wanjigi noted that he has worked on big development projects in and outside Kenya, thus accumulating his billions.
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Businessman Jimi Wanjigi. [Photo: Courtesy]
According to Wanjigi, government development projects are the biggest investment opportunities across Africa, arguing that in Kenya, the government controls up to 70% of the economy.
“…Government projects inside and outside Kenya. I am an agent of various companies and development projects are the biggest projects in Africa and even in Kenya. Government today is 70% of the economy of this country, who would not want to do business or have an inclination to touch business with this government?” Wanjigi posed while explaining the source of his wealth.
During the interview, he revealed that he was among the agent of companies in the multi-billion Thika Super Highway deal. His name was also featured in the SGR deal, but the government opted to work with other businessmen other than Wanjigi.
It is speculated that this was the main cause of his fallout with the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led administration. However, Wanjigi refuted the claims noting that the Jubilee government got the wrong policies.
Other than working with governments on development projects, Jimi Wanjigi has also invested in real estate, financial services, and agri-business.
