Toto Shimanyula, a politician and businessman from Kakamega County left many in shock after his video making grave allegations against Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale. 

The video made rounds on social media, leaving Kenyans divided in opinion regarding his allegations.

While his name could be new in the national political space, Cleophas Shimanyula is a prominent name in Kakamega County known for his deep pockets and political affiliations.

For years, Shimanyula, alias Toto, has been a rival of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.

But it is his vast empire with interests ranging from real estate, public service vehicles (PSVs), to garbage collection business that has earned him fame.

His rise has been an embodiment of the proverbial “from nothing to great”, having grown up in a modest family where his father worked as a mechanic at a garage in Kakamega. 

He would in his early days join his father and his siblings in the garage in fixing vehicles, a stint that is attributed to his love for vehicles.

Shimanyula Rises to Become One of Kakamega’s Richest

At some point, Shimanyula set up his own taxi business within Kakamega as one of his founding businesses.

Years later, the businessman ventured into long distance travel business with a fleet of buses which came to be known as “Homeboyz”.

In a dark episode of his investment journey, however, one of his buses was involved in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of 58 people.

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Away from his PSV business, Shimanyula is the founder and owner of the Kakamega Homeboyz Football Club which is currently playing in Kenya’s top tier league.

The club has grown to be Kakamega’s favorite team and has over the years enjoyed massive support from football fanatics in the county.

In 2023, the club won the Football Kenya Federation Cup and earned an opportunity to represent Kenya in CAF confederation cup. 

Other business interests linked to Shimanyula’s name include several real estate property in the county.

Toto Shimanyula has also in the past run businesses including garbage collection in Kakamega.

Toto Shimanyula Long Rivalry with Khalwale

Amid his rise as a prominent businessman, the Kakamega Homeboyz founder has formed political alliances with the who is who of Western Kenya politics.

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He was said to be a close ally of Kakamega’s founding Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and even sparked speculations that his close ties earned him the lucrative deal of garbage collection in the Town.

Owing to his deep pockets and resources at his disposal, Shimanyula has in past election cycles played the role of a broker between politicians and the electorate.

But his apparent rivalry with Senator Khalwale has been difficult to overlook in the county’s politics.

Not once or twice has the man commonly known by the name “Toto” come out to discredit Khalwale on matters relating to the region’s politics and public interest.