Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama is a text book example that one doesn’t need a university degree from a reputable university to make it big in life. A class seven dropout, the politician managed to accumulate so much wealth for himself, in the process rewriting the mantra that Education is the key to success.
The Machakos Senator is the owner of a multi-billion mining company, Rockland Kenya Limited, which is said to have been served to him on a silver platter. Young and with little education, he reportedly visited his uncle who worked in the Taita Taveta mines where he started working as a tea boy.
Back in 1974, it is said, American Geologist John Saul and his partner Eliot Miller discovered ruby (a precious gemstone) in Taita Taveta – a find that would later turn out to be one of the largest in the world.
The two Americans, being in a foreign land, faced major setbacks after high-ranking government officials (read Mzee Jomo Kenyatta) got wind that some foreigners were minting millions in their own land.
But shrewd as they were, Saul and Miller had foreseen this and had strategically sold shares of their mining company, Taita International Limited, to then ministers Daniel arap Moi (Home Affairs), J.L. Shako (Tourism), and Odongo Omamo (Natural Resources) in the hope of getting protection.
This however didn’t materialise as Mzee Kenyatta gave orders that they be deported back to the US. Wikileaks documents indicate that in 1974, Mzee Kenyatta intimidated Saul into taking a flight out of the country – he was given 7 hours to do so on allegations of being a prohibited immigrant and ivory smuggler.
A report by website Kenyans quotes Wikileaks: “President Kenyatta said in a speech delivered in Swahili that foreigners had no right to exploit Kenya’s mineral resources for their sole benefit and added that one “UNSCRUPULOUS” foreigner, whom he called a “HYENA” had just been forced to leave the country.” His business partner was also ejected from the country.
It is not clear Kenyatta’s role in the multi-million mining business, but his close friend and Greek millionaire, George Criticos, took over the ruby mines when the duo were sent back to the US. However, Kenyatta’s wife Mama Ngina and Beth Mugo (Mzee’s niece) had interest in the precious stones.
After Mzee’s death in 1978, Saul came back to the country with the aim of reclaiming his invaluable mine dubbed Ng’ang’a mines which was under the company, Stones Limited – which he co-owned with Miller. He claimed Ng’ang’a Mines as the “original discoverer” from Mr Criticos.
Later on, the geologist transferred the mines to Rockland Kenya Limited in January 1992 therefore winding up Stones Ltd.
According to reports, Muthama had all along been working in the mining sector and gained invaluable experience in the lucrative business. He entered into a deal with Topaz Group to buy all the rubies from Rockland Kenya. Topaz Group was one of the leading producers and distributors of precious and semi-precious stones, as well as jewellery.
It was this lucrative pact that saw Muthama own Rockland Kenya Limited. The Machakos Senator is one of the richest politicians in the country. He owns several homes in high-end estates including Runda, Muthaiga, Nyali, as well as Machakos and Kangundo.
Muthama who was recently mentioned in the Panama papers as one of the Kenyans who operate offshore accounts, admitted he held a Rockland96 account with HSBC Bank (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) in Switzerland.
Transactions show that Muthama’s business account transacted Sh5.1 Billion in a period of just four years.
