Kenya data breach reveals Kes300,000 a night First Lady AirBnB

Written by Moses Michira

At least 100 meters at 42 floors into Nairobi’s skyline, on the most iconic towers of East Africa’s Capital GTC Complex is an exclusive suite with costly finishing and a balcony that overlooks the city offering a breathtaking view.

This furnished property can house eight people, as in eight families in a four-bedroom setting complete with four bathrooms, they are literally houses within a house, and the master penthouse feels like you are in the marketing video of the Chinese Built sky scraper. The room runs an entire floor and has a separate entry for domestic helps who have their own sleeping room.

This extremely lavish apartment owned by President William Ruto’s wife and daughter, is probably one of the World’s most expensive short-stay accommodations, widely known as Airbnb.

Apartments operated by Chebet Rael Kimetto and her daughter and First Daughter Charlene Chelagat Ruto are charging upwards of Sh300,000 a night.

Rael’s priciest apartment is at least 100 metres at 42 floors into Nairobi’s skyline, which would perhaps inform the pricing at $2500 (Sh323,000 at today’s exchange rate).

For comparison, the daily rate at Rael’s apartment would buy you several nights at the Presidential suite in the next-door Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel.

Not-so-affordable housing

China is a majority owner of the Nairobi GTC, the acronym of Global Trade Centre which also hosts the World-renowned JW Marriot Hotels spanning several floors in the mega property sitting on 7.5 acres in the Westlands business District.

Effectively, Rael through her company is offering the priciest hospitality and accommodation services at the GTC and possibly, in Kenya.

“Our apartments are designed to cater to your modern lifestyle, offering a host of amenities and facilities that make daily living a breeze. From high-speed Wi-Fi to fully equipped kitchens and more, we ensure that your every need is met,” Urban Groove Apartments describes their properties on their website.

The firm owns at least 5 apartments in the property, two charging $2500 per booking, one at $200 (Sh25800), and two others at $150 (Sh19,370).

The choice of exclusive property will bring a sharp focus on the policies of the President who is building affordable housing to change the attitude of investors about putting money on the mass market as opposed to exclusivity. His family seems to agree with the market.

Present Ruto has made affordable housing a central pillar of his administration where State-built houses are selling for as low as Sh1 million - a sharp contrast to his family's dealings in top end of the housing market.

Massive data breach

This is the first time in Kenya’s history that company ownership details have been made public accessing such information at the Business Registration Services (BRS) isn’t only strenuous but also costly.

BRS Director General Kenneth Gathuma said the government was aware of the breach and was working closely with a cybersecurity partner, law enforcement, and investigative agencies to assess the scope of the incident, determine any potential impact, and implement necessary containment and mitigation measures.

“At this stage, we are still verifying the details of the alleged breach, including the nature and extent of any compromised data. Once the investigation is complete, we will provide an update and directly engage with any affected parties,” he said in a statement.

The revelations in a massive data breach that is set to send shockwaves in state circles also show how President William Ruto’s family is expanding wealth on ascension to the presidency.

Presidential upgrades

Mother and daughter powerful duo has listed tens of furnished properties through Urban Groove Apartments- a company they registered just weeks after President Ruto assumed office in 2022.

Fresh data leaks from the companies’ registry has confirmed that Rachel, as she is affectionately called by her husband, registered Urban Groove Apartments on November 7, 2022.

Other furnished apartments operated by the power family are within the Freedom Heights complex, also along Lang’ata Road, while even more are anticipated around Milimani – the general area where the State House sits.

There is no confirmation however if the company owns the properties or whether it has rented the spaces to furnish and subsequently let for short stays.

B2BHint

President Ruto was sworn into office on September 13 after trouncing his rival-turned-ally Raila Odinga in the Presidential elections conducted just over a month earlier.

Rael is listed as the owner of tens of other companies, according to B2BHint, a global business tool that boasts of providing access to official registry data on companies and people.

B2BHint is now a treasure trove for information especially in Kenya where the registry of companies isn’t freely available or searchable, ensuring influential individuals operate major businesses behind the corporate veil unnoticed.

She is also listed as the owner of several other companies including Destiny Women MicroFinance Bank Limited, Weston Hotel, Joyful Housing Union, Matiny Limited, and Koilel Farm.

President Ruto has often acknowledged ownership of Weston Hotel through his family members, which is situated in Nairobi’s Lang’ata Road and opposite the Wilson Airport

Weston Hotel is ranked as a 4-star facility in international listing of hospitality facilities and has hugely been cited as a major beneficiary of the Ruto Presidency through government procurement of food and accommodation needs.

Hustler funding

Rachel has over many years been associated with table banking as a platform to empower women through Joyful Women Organization, operated under Mama Doing Good, which is revolving over $21 million (Sh2.5 billion).

Destiny Women MicroFinance Bank was registered on July 2014 and has among others, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika’s spouse Samuel Mburu Kamau as a director and shareholder.

President Ruto's family members have broadened their business acumen in recent years, and at times courting controversy, especially through the public transport sector on several routes in Nairobi.

Specifically, George Ruto operates buses whose crew have been accused of wanton abuse of traffic regulations thought to be a result to the powerful office his dad holds.

Charlene, his sister, has previously claimed to have sold boiled eggs as part of her earlier businesses while in college, a far modest enterprise compared to the mega businesses she is running with her mom.

She is also listed as a co-director at Weston Hotel.