Bia Tosha is a household name among beer lovers, while Kiambu Mall is a landmark in Kiambu County. The two businesses were founded and owned by businessman Peter Burugu.
Kiambu Mall is strategically located in the heart of Kiambu town, and Bia Tosha supplies products from East African Breweries (EABL).
Burugu began his career as an accountant trained at East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
He advanced through the ranks to become head of the distribution and logistics department.
Burugu worked at EABL for 27 years in various roles before leaving in April 1995 through an early retirement plan.
He built his business empire using the knowledge he gained during his time at EABL.
Peter Burugu Starts Bia Yetu and Bia Tosha
Burugu started a private distribution firm, Bia Tosha, as a retirement plan after leaving formal employment.
He departed EABL when it was facing stiff competition from South African Breweries (SAB), which owns the Castle Lager brand.
The late billionaire Njenga Karume was EABL’s main distributor during this period.
Burugu’s opportunity arose when Karume left EABL for SAB.
He registered a new company under the name ‘Bia Yetu’, after EABL approached him to take over the distribution channel.
Burugu secured a bank loan and purchased nine trucks to start his company.
EABL provided him with stock on credit for a year, and he distributed products to Kiambu District and parts of Eastlands, Nairobi, such as Dandora and Kariobangi.
He later took control of the Nairobi West region after EABL’s major distributor collapsed.
Burugu distributed products to this new area under his second company, branded as ‘Bia Tosha.’
Merger of the Two Brands
Bia Yetu and Bia Tosha grew, and Burugu merged them in 2008, with another distributor taking charge of Kiambu.
Bia Tosha’s portfolio expanded to include South C, Industrial Area, Hurlingham, Upperhill, Kiserian, Rongai, Namanga, and Juja after the merger.
Burugu established a chain of professional management to oversee his distribution business in preparation for retirement.
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His daughter, Anne-Marie Burugu, took over Bia Tosha in 2011, and she is now the Managing Director.
Bia Tosha partnered with EABL in March 2015 to open Berries and Barrels – a high-end liquor store located at Yaya Center.
The shop mainly sells premium drinks retailing at Ksh 4,000 and above, including John Walker & Sons Odyssey, which costs around Ksh 160,000 per bottle.
Kiambu Mall
The Kiambu Mall is an investment by Peter Burugu through his real estate company, Mugaa Investments.
It is situated in the centre of Kiambu town, near the county headquarters.
The five-storey mall covers an area of 14,300 square metres and features significant parking space for up to 100 vehicles.
Some of the popular businesses hosted in the mall include Java, Ashley’s, Vivo, Nairobi Hospital, Chicken Inn, Creamy Inn, Pizza Inn, Naivas Supermarket, Pizza Planet, and Commercial Bank of Africa, among many others.
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Peter Burugu’s Family
Burugu is a father of three children, two boys and a daughter.
He mentioned that his daughter is keen on running the family business, while his sons assist with the real estate company.
“I have a daughter and three sons, but it’s my daughter who showed keen interest in managing the family business. Today, she is in charge of Bia Tosha, while the boys help me run my real estate firm,” he told Business Daily in a previous interview.
Charity Work
He also shared how he allocates part of his business profits towards charity activities.
Burugu said they are constructing a company worth Ksh 100 million to support needy children in Kitengela, Kajiado County.
“In collaboration with friends and business associates, we are building a Ksh 100 million secondary school for underprivileged children in Kisaju, Kitengela. The school, called Mother of Mercy Education Center, is expected to serve over 360 children in need. Former Presidential candidate Peter Kenneth will be the school’s patron,” he stated.
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Vivo no longer occupies space in the mall. Jav too doesn’t have an outlet in Kiambu town. The current major occupants are Naivas, Mogo, Nairobi hospital, KRA, NHIF and NSSF. Along with Pizza planet, Pizza inn, Creamy inn, and Chicken inn.