Kennedy Rapudo is a Kenyan known for his transformation from street hawking to his multimillion-dollar travel empire.
Today, Rapudo has a strong online presence due to his relationship with Kenyan influencer Faith Makau, famously known as Amber Ray.
In response to questions about the source of his wealth, Kennedy Rapudo has often clarified that he engages only in legitimate businesses.
“I am not involved in any wash-wash business. I do a lot of things, but my main source of income is tours and travel,” he stated firmly in an interview.
Early Life and Educational Background
Kennedy was born in Mombasa on April 29, 1985.
He grew up in different places due to his mother’s job transfers across Kisumu, the Rift Valley, and Western Kenya.
However, Rapudo lost both his parents as he was growing up, forcing him to move to Nairobi.
In his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, Rapudo scored a B+ grade despite the challenges of being an orphan.
Upon completing his secondary education, Rapudo pursued a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s in Project Planning at the University of Nairobi.
He later obtained a second Master’s in International Relations from the United States International University (USIU).
While studying, he balanced academics with work, including research roles for oil firms like TULO and Africa Oil through an Environmental Impact Assessment company.
“Tulikuwa tunafanyia different oil companies in Kenya. One of them was TULO. There was also Africa Oil. We were doing research for them. After that, I went back to USIU to do my second Master’s because I loved their programs,” Rapudo shared during his August 2023 Obinna Show interview.
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Career and Achievements
Rapudo hawked flasks, earning up to KSh 500 a day, before he landed official corporate jobs.
Additionally, Rapudo also engaged in brickmaking and poultry farming in his hometown before returning to Nairobi.
In 2015, Kennedy Rapudo started his entrepreneurial journey by investing in Uber vehicles and the ride-hailing business.
During the COVID-19 layoffs in 2020, Rapudo launched his own firm targeting the Dutch market, organizing tours for European clients.
Currently, his firm generates millions in revenue and invests in real estate, taxis, and oil research.
Kennedy Rapudo’s Family
Rapudo heads a blended family of four children, with his firstborn daughter, who boards part-time and visits on weekends.
Kennedy also has a son who stays with his mother but often visits, and a daughter with his current partner, Africanah, as well as a son, Gavin.
In his interviews, Rapudo has emphasized that all children co-exist peacefully and respectfully in the family.
Rapudo shares his life with his partner, Amber Ray, despite not being officially married.
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Net Worth
Rapudo has investments whose value he has not publicly disclosed, but he has maintained that his wealth is legitimate despite questions and criticism about his earnings.
