Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed that his sons have invested in Kenya's hospitality industry, acquiring two historic hotels in Nyeri: Treetops and The Outspan. Gachagua revealed that his children originally wanted to invest in Mombasa but he persuaded them to look northward, citing the potential for growth and job creation in their home region. The investments have created hundreds of jobs and opened up supply opportunities for local farmers and traders.
According to Gachagua, Treetops is employing around 60 people from the surrounding neighborhood, while The Outspan has grown into a larger operation with over 150 workers. The hotels have become anchor buyers for local produce, with women trading at Mudavadi Market supplying green groceries and neighbors providing cassava and other goods. This has woven the investments tightly into the local economy, benefiting the community.
Gachagua used the opportunity to challenge Kenyans living abroad to think beyond personal wealth and consider the social returns of investing at home. He framed corporate social responsibility as a natural extension of smart investment, arguing that boosting local supply chains and creating jobs in rural areas carries as much value as business returns.
The former deputy president made these remarks at the Midwest Diaspora Executive Business conference, where he recounted his sons' decision to invest in the hospitality industry. Gachagua emphasized the sentimental weight of the decision, noting that the people supplying the hotels are their neighbors, whom they have known all their lives.
The video of Gachagua's remarks, shared on TikTok on September 19, 2026, drew comparisons to President Ruto's son George Ruto and his ventures in the matatu industry. Kenyans were split on whether Gachagua's remarks were genuine praise for investing locally or an implicit dig at political rivals.
Gachagua's sons have employed over 200 Kenyans through their investments in the two hotels. The Outspan, locally known as the "house plant," has been a significant employer, with over 150 workers on its books. The investments have also had a positive impact on the local economy, with women traders benefiting from the demand for local produce.
Gachagua's call to Kenyans in the diaspora to invest in their home country has sparked a conversation about the role of social responsibility in business. His remarks have also highlighted the potential for investments in the hospitality industry to drive growth and job creation in rural areas.
Key points
- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's sons have invested in two historic hotels in Nyeri, creating over 200 jobs and boosting the local economy.
- The investments have had a positive impact on the local community, with women traders benefiting from the demand for local produce and neighbors supplying goods to the hotels.
- Gachagua has challenged Kenyans living abroad to consider the social returns of investing at home, framing corporate social responsibility as a natural extension of smart investment.
