Buzeki, the entrepreneur turned politician causing stir in the Rift

Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop

The name ‘Buzeki’ is derivative of his full name – Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop. He is the founder of Buzeki Group of Companies, which specialises in transport logistics and dairy products.

He is known for his athletic physique, firm personality and sunglasses which he is never seen without.

“I am just a humble entrepreneur seeking political leadership as an agent of change to eradicate poverty in the region. I am a self-made individual who rose from a mere milk hawker in Mombasa to my current economic stature,” Buzeki, who is in his 40s, told Sunday Standard in a past interview at his Ainabkoi farm where he raises 100 pedigree cows.

Before the run-up to the 2017 Jubilee Party primaries, little was known about him. Born in Keiyo South before relocating to his current home, Buzeki said Christian values were instilled in him at a tender age.

“I am good listener pursuing my God given talents. I believe in inclusivity and that all human beings are equal before God despite their different backgrounds,” he said.

But how did he make his billions?

“I rose from obscurity. I used to hawk milk in Mombasa on a bicycle at night,” he disclosed then, saying his single mother played an integral part in moulding his childhood.

As the regional dairy sales manager for Kilifi plantations between 1998 and 2000, Buzeki led an aggressive sales team, driving the company to profitability and an 80 per cent share of the milk market at the coast.

He became the largest milk distributor in the former Coast province.

In 2010 he acquired a milk plant in Mau Summit with a daily production output of 80,000 litres and renamed it Molo Milk. He then sold the firm to Brookside dairies.

Buzeki has a higher international diploma in sales and marketing from Cambridge University and also holds a degree in sales and marketing from American University.

Last year, he declared his interest in the Uasin Gishu governor seat three months to the August 8 election. His entry rubbed many the wrong way, and he was immediately branded a project of Deputy President William Ruto.

Although he run a moneyed campaign for the seat replete with choppers and top-of-the-range cars, he lost out to Governor Jackson Mandago in both the Jubilee primaries and General Election.