Meet Kenyan Business Couple Behind Muthokinju Paints And Cement Company

• Family-owned enterprises drive the growth of the private sector, contributing to more than 60% of the overall employment landscape
• Muthokinju Paints and Cement Company is one of the family businesses that has stood the test of time having been established over 28 years ago
• It was founded by business couple Barnabas Njuguna and Susan Muthoni Kimani with the business name cleverly crafted by combining the initials of their names

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

In Kenya and the East African region at large, family-owned businesses are the engine of private sector growth, accounting for over 60% of the total employment.

Research by Asoko Insight, which covered 490 family-owned firms across various industries, showed that about 14.3% of the family businesses surveyed had annual revenues of over US$ 50 million (KSh 7.7 billion).

More than 20 companies had revenues of over US$ 100 million (KSh 15.4 billion) per annum, showing their importance in the economy.

The family-owned businesses cut across various sectors, including construction, agriculture, media, banking and retail.

What Muthokinju Paints does

Muthokinju Paints and Cement Company is one of the family businesses that has stood the test of time. It distributes paints, paint accessories, cement and waterproofing products.

The company's journey from its initial establishment to the present has been marked by strategic expansion, leading to the establishment of several branches across Kenya.

This widespread presence allows Muthokinju to cater to the diverse needs of customers throughout the country, contributing significantly to the construction and renovation landscape.

Who founded Muthokinju Paints?

Business couple Barnabas Njuguna and Susan Muthoni Kimani founded Muthokinju.

The business name was cleverly crafted by combining the initials of the founders' names: Muthoni (Mutho), Kimani (Ki), and Njuguna (Nju).

Njuguna and Muthoni established the business in 1995 in Kasarani, Nairobi, according to its website.

Initially, Bizna Kenya reported that Muthoni ran a restaurant at Kenyatta Market, but she shut it down to focus on the hardware business, a decision that paid off.

Muthokinju's expansion drive

The company spread its tentacles across the country with a market presence in several towns, including Ngong, Kitengela, Murang'a, Embu, Thika, Kenol, Karatina, Juja, Rongai, Ngong and Kiambu Road.

In 2004, it was incorporated as a limited company. With over 20 branches, it employs more than 500 staff.

Seven years later, Muthoni and Njuguna passed on the baton to their son Benjamin Kimani and his wife Sarafina Njatha, who work as managing director and operations director, respectively.

Kimani, who started managing Muthokiju at age 24, saluted his parents for laying a good foundation for the business.

"I took over a business that already had a good name. I give credit to my parents for building goodwill. I have been able to amplify their values by playing in a bigger space than they did," he said.

Other family businesses that succeeded

Elsewhere, the Ramco Group was founded in 1948 by Rambhai Patel, who grew the business alongside his sons Kirit, Mahendra and Chandrakt.

It is a conglomerate of over 50 companies operating within East Africa, focusing on print, hardware, manufacturing, office supplies, services and property.

The group started from humble beginnings as a hardware store in Nairobi in 1948 and has since expanded into Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and now employs over 4,000 people with an annual turnover in excess of US$300 million (KSh 46 billion).

On the other hand, Bidco Africa, a subsidiary of Hemby Holdings Limited, was founded by Bhimji Depar Shah and his family.

His son, Vimal Shah, the chairman of the group, has been the face of the family-owned manufacturing conglomerate with businesses in over 13 African countries.

According to Forbes, Bidco has a 49% share of the edible oils market in Kenya, and annual revenues of more than $500 million (KSh 76.7 billion).