Who is Jaswant Rai?
Jaswant Rai is an old hand in the game of business competition. The billionaire is said to have been so powerful that he influenced some of the government's economic decisions including budget proposals, in what many refer to as 'State capture'.
Rai hails from the Rai family, one of the wealthiest families in Kenya. He is among the 5 sons of his father, Tarlochan Singh Rai, who died in 2010, and his mother the late Sarjij Kaur Rai.
Jaswant chairs the Rai Group of companies, which owns the West Kenya Sugar factory (Kabras Sugar), Menengai Refineries, Timsales, Raiply, Webuye Pan Paper, and Tulip properties.
His younger brother Sarbi Singh Rai, owns the Sarrai Group of companies, based in Uganda. The group comprises of over 10 companies.
Despite being brothers, Sarrai and Jaswant fell out over the distribution of their father's wealth. This prompted Sarrai to withdraw from the family business - The Rai Group- to manage the Sarrai Group of companies.
Jaswant Rai is best known as the owner of West Sugar Mill, which produces the Kabras Sugar brand. He owns three other mills- Olepito, Sukari and Naitiri.
In 2022, the billionaire extended his dominance in the sugar sector with the opening of the Naitiri factory in Bungoma which gave him an almost 50% stake in sugar production in the country. Data from the sugar directorate indicated that his factories accounted for 45% of the sugar produced in the country in 2022.
According to Bussines Daily, Rai became the sugar godfather by contacting over 200,000 sugarcane farmers in Western, Nyanza and parts of Rift Valley.
His ties extend to Uganda where he owns the second largest sugar factory- Kanyara sugar works, and Tanzania where he owns Mufumbira Paper Mill, making him the only paper manufacturer in the region.
Rai's son is married to a daughter of another sugar baron, Mr Ragbirr Singn Birre, who owns Kibos sugar.
The billionaire ties extend even to the Kenyatta family. He is said to be a close friend of Muhoho Kenyatta, who is a regular guest at the oligarch's private functions.
@UDAPartyKe Betrayed by Uda officials, why after standing with party from 2018 using my own resources? Nobody knows the ambersador after victory of kk why?
President @WilliamsRuto: " We made a commitment that we are going to analyse and frame all the remaining functions that are still discharged by the national government and transfer them to the counties. I am very happy that between the national government and the transition committee and the other stakeholders, we have finally agreed on the functions that should be transferred and analysis is going on on the funding that will accompany the transfer of functions. And I am told that in the next 60 days we should be able to transfer all the remaining functions to our counties."
~8th Devolution Conference, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County
In March this year President Ruto visited Germany and in one of the conversations he heard about a major Motor Vehicle manufacturer that advertised for 10,000 jobs last year in various towns, and only got 2,000 applicants with only 1,000 qualified.
That is when he developed interest on the Labour shortage in Germany.... and was informed that Germany needs 250,000 skilled and semi skilled Labour every year, and that even more will be needed especially in the hospitality industry during the Euro 2024 that will be held in Germany.
He came back to Kenya and instructed the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Affairs to initiate systems that would see Kenyans go to Germany...
Five weeks after his visit to Germany, the German Chancellor came to Kenya and the key issue discussed was the supply of Kenyan Labour to Germany.
Several activities have been going on since the visit by the German leader, processes that make it easier for you to go work in Germany..
Today, I'm glad to announce that Kenyatta University has kicked off the process of preparing Kenyans to join the the German Labour industry.. as skilled and semi skilled Labour Providers..
It has been a long Journey, but I am glad that the process kicks off in earnest today..
This is an open system and once you go through the Kenyatta University system and meet the language requirement, Opportunity will be open for you...
And please, to those who always complain about this and that, remember that you are not going to get opportunity if you are filled with negativity and the belief that sijui two tribes are the only ones getting things..opportunity only comes to those who seek, and prepare and position themselves...
Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the newspapers and TV stations for more information.. and updates will be put here
.@USAmbKenya MEG WHITMAN: I arrived in Kenya days before the August 2022 General Elections. What I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable.
Kenya held what many analysts and commentators say was the freest, fairest and most credible election in Kenyan history.
President @WilliamsRuto:
"When the investigations are concluded the government will help the affected students to receive local scholarships so that they can fully further their studies, and anyone who took the money collected from parents should arrange to pay back. It's embarrassing that someone stole money meant for the education of our young people."
TO SENATOR MANDAGO & COMPANY
PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO :
"When the investigations are concluded the government will help the affected students to receive local scholarships so that they can fully further their studies, and anyone who took the money collected from parents should arrange to pay back. It's embarrassing that someone stole money meant for the education of our young people."
" President William Ruto was my good friend. He is a good man and I know he still remembers our great friendship."~ Former Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe.
If Geucho walked with Azimio chairman Uhuru, what is locking out the senior Uda ambersador walking with his Uda Bosses. @Cleophasmalalai @WilliamsRuto Check out Tugege wa Uda's video! #TikTok https://t.co/tUAf8Q8R3E