A large-scale data breach at Kenya’s Business Registration Service (BRS) has exposed the business interests of some of the nation’s most influential figures, including President William Ruto, the Kenyatta family, and other notable investors.
For years, these details remained hidden from the public, but the recent breach has exposed them to widespread view. This has raised serious concerns about data security and the potential risks to both personal and national financial safety.
Among the information leaked are connections to Rachel Ruto, the First Lady, and her son, both of whom have been linked to numerous companies.
Rachel, whose full name is Chebet Rael Kimeto, is reportedly involved in multiple sectors. Her daughter, as revealed by the leak, owns one of the most expensive Airbnb properties in the country.
These findings shed light on the depth of the Ruto family’s business interests, which were largely unknown to the public.The former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, leads the Uhuru Kenyatta Foundation and the Uhuru Kenyatta Institute Limited.
However, the leak also mentioned a company named Uhuru Kenyatta Security and Cleaning Services, which is registered in South Africa, but it could not be confirmed whether the ex-president owns it, as much of the company’s details were unavailable.
Additionally, no connections to other companies under the Kenyatta family name were found in this case.
Muhoho Kenyatta, the brother of the former president, holds multiple director and shareholder positions in over 50 companies and organizations.
Rachel Ruto (Chebet Rael Kimeto) is also connected to various businesses. She holds leadership roles at Destiny Women Microfinance Bank, Talya Company Ltd, Joyful Housing Union Ltd, and Urban Groove Apartments Ltd.
Furthermore, she has interests in the fisheries sector, being involved with companies like Kisima Fisheries Ltd, Lake Jipe Fisheries Ltd, and Taveta Fisheries Ltd. She also has stakes in Black Beauty Company Ltd, Matiny Ltd, Koilel Farm Ltd, Bluesand Holdings Ltd, and Weston Hotel Ltd.
President Ruto’s son, George Kimutai Ruto, owns shares in several companies, including Golf Charlie Investments Ltd (beneficial owner), Golf Charlie Investment Ltd, Nerami LLP (partner), Seil Investment Ltd, and TBT The Biashara Team Ltd, X Fold Ltd.
In addition, the Moja Expressway company, which was registered on 24 May 2020, is owned by Mountain Hill Global Investment Company Ltd, Zhao Yang, and Tang Jinsong, with Jophece Obonyo Yogo as the company secretary.
Mountain Hill Global Investment Company is based in the United Arab Emirates.The breach has exposed substantial personal and company data, including shareholder and beneficial owner information.
This raises serious concerns about privacy violations and the potential for identity theft and fraud. The breach was so massive that it allowed easy access to confidential details, sparking widespread alarm.
Kenneth Gathuma, the Director-General of the Business Registration Service, confirmed the breach and announced an ongoing investigation. Law enforcement agencies, including cybersecurity experts, are working to assess the damage and identify the full extent of the compromised data.
Gathuma stated that they have activated their response plan and are in the process of verifying the details of the incident.
