
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto
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A considerable data breach at the Business Registration Service (BRS) has revealed the extensive business affiliations of several prominent figures in Kenya, including President William Ruto and the Kenyatta family.
This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the security of private data and its implications for personal and national financial security. The breach has particularly spotlighted First Lady Rachel Ruto, also known in official documents as Chebet Rael Kimeto, whose name has been linked to various business endeavors across multiple sectors. Reports indicate that she, along with her son, has connections to several companies. Notably, her daughter is identified as the owner of one of Kenya's most luxurious Airbnb properties.
In the case of the Kenyatta family, former President Uhuru Kenyatta is affiliated with the Uhuru Kenyatta Foundation and the Uhuru Kenyatta Institute Limited. However, the ownership of Uhuru Kenyatta Security and Cleaning Services, a company registered in South Africa, remains unverified. Additionally, Muhoho Kenyatta, Uhuru's brother, is known to hold directorial and shareholder roles in over fifty organizations. Chebet Rael Kimeto serves as a director and shareholder in numerous entities, including Destiny Women Microfinance Bank Limited, Joyful Housing Union Ltd, Talya Company Limited, and Urban Groove Apartments Limited.
Her business interests also extend to the fisheries sector, with involvement in Lake Jipe Fisheries Ltd, Kisima Fisheries Ltd, and Taveta Fisheries Ltd. Furthermore, she holds stakes in various enterprises, such as Black Beauty Company Limited, Koilel Farm Limited, Matiny Limited, Weston Hotel Limited, and Bluesand Holdings Limited. President Ruto's son, George Kimutai Ruto, is associated with multiple companies, including Golf Charlie Investments Limited, Nerami LLP, TBT The Biashara Team Limited, X Fold Limited, and Seil Investment Limited.
Among the affected companies is Moja Expressway, which is owned by Mountain Hill Global Investment Company Limited and its directors, Tang Jinsong and Zhao Yang. This entity was registered on May 24, 2020, with Jophece Obonyo Yogo listed as the secretary. Mountain Hill Global Investment Company is based in the United Arab Emirates. The breach has resulted in the exposure of substantial data, consisting of information about companies, shareholders, and beneficial owners.
This vulnerability has alarmed both industry experts and the public, as personal details of shareholders could now be at risk for identity theft and financial fraud. Kenneth Gathuma, Director-General of the Business Registration Service, has acknowledged the breach, stating that investigations are currently in progress. Cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies are working in collaboration to gauge the extent of the data compromise.
"Upon receiving reports of a potential data breach impacting the company registry's information, we activated our Incident Response Plan," Gathuma remarks. "We are still verifying the specifics of the alleged breach, including the nature and extent of any compromised data."