Former Equity Bank board chairman Peter Munga, is arguably one of the richest Kenyans. His vast business empire and interests span across finance, insurance, education, and agriculture.
Born in 1943 in Kangema, Munga reportedly founded Equity Building Society with Sh5,000 capital, and with the help of his close friend James Mwangi, Equity Bank overcame turbulent times to become one of the largest banks in East Africa.
Munga served as Equity Bank Chairman till 2018, when he retired after serving the lender for 35 years.
He has also chaired various committees and organizations, including the Housing Finance Foundation, Micro Enterprises Support Program Trust, and Murang’a water and sewerage company.
Below are some of the companies he owns:
Britam Holdings
Peter Munga is a shareholder and director at Britam Holdings PLC, a leading financial services conglomerate that offers asset management and property services across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The billionaire is a key shareholder at the firm, controlling around 75 million shares. Beyond his direct holdings, he is linked to two investment vehicles—EH Venture Capital
and EHL 2022—which collectively own 405 million Britam shares worth.
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Equity Group Holdings
As the founder of Equity Group, Munga holds a 3.38 percent stake in the lender and has been instrumental in shaping Kenya’s financial sector, championing financial inclusion along the way.
Filimbi Limited
Founded in 2011, Filimbi Limited is an investment vehicle jointly owned by Munga and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi’s wife Jane Wangui Njuguna.
The firm is strategically positioned in Kenya’s financial landscape, with key investments in Britam Holdings and Equity Bank Group.
Filimbi Limited is co-owned 50:50 between Munga and Wangui.
Plum Holdings
Plum Holdings, a company that operates across finance, real estate, agribusiness, and energy, is reportedly jointly owned by Munga, Filimbi Limited, and Equity Group.
Equatorial Nut Processors
Founded by Munga in 1994, Equatorial Nut Processors is one of East Africa’s leading nut processing firms specializing in macadamia, cashews, and peanuts.
Munga is the majority shareholder of the Maragua-based company.
Kakuzi PLC
Peter Munga has diversified his investment portfolio to include stakes in the agricultural sector, notably in Kakuzi PLC, a leading agricultural company in Kenya, engaged in the cultivation, processing, and marketing of products such as avocados, macadamia nuts, tea, and forestry products.
Freshco Seeds Limited
Freshco Seeds Limited is an agribusiness firm in Kenya, focusing on seed production and distribution.
Under Munga’s leadership, the company has invested in agritech solutions, enhancing seed quality and food security.
Pioneer School
Pioneer Schools was started by Peter Munga. The institution, which is located in Maragua, Murang’a county, began by offering primary school education under the 8-4-4 system with a keen focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.
The school later expanded to offer high school education. Munga, who has invested heavily in the education sector, also owns Pioneer Girls School in Thika, St Paul’s Thomas Academy, and chairs the board of Pioneer International University.
