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Companies that were started before Kenya’s independence and are still thriving

Fa calendar 16 grey May 27, 2020   
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They have stood the test of time and it goes to show the resilience of our industries.  

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Photo credit: Edward Eyer

We are are only a couple of days away from Madaraka Day – 1st June, when Kenya gained independence from colonial rule. Independence means having the freedom to go live and work anywhere in the country. But this looks like a very tricky time to celebrate independence when the Coronavirus has come to ‘Coronarize’ us.

There is no country in the world that has gained ‘independence’ from Covid-19. However, just like during the colonial days, we can fight together to defeat this enemy. Our founding fathers dropped their tribal affiliations and prejudices to unite and fight for an independent country. We can do the same too. Corona has taught us to appreciate the freedom that our founding fathers died for by giving us a taste of how it was like when they had curfews.

Despite those challenging times, the industrious spirit to do business and create employment was still very much alive. There are companies which were founded before Kenya gained independence, survived those tough times and are still thriving today. They have stood the test of time and it goes to show the resilience of our industries.  

  1. KCB Group - Banking – 1896

  2. Kakuzi Limited – FMCG - 1906

  3. Unga Group – FMCG - 1908

  4. Cooper Motor Corporation (CMC Motors) – Automobile - 1912

  5. East Africa Breweries (EABL) - FMCG- 1922

  6. Jubilee Insurance Company – Finance - 1937

  7. Rea Vipingo Sisal Estate – Agriculture - 1939

  8. Diamond Trust Bank Group – Finance - 1945

  9. Bamburi Cement – Construction - 1951

  10. Sasini Tea and Coffee – FMCG - 1952

  11. Kenya Electric Generating Company (KenGen) – Energy - 1954

  12. KenolKobil – Energy - 1959

  13. Nation Media Group – Media - 1959

  14. Carbacid Investments - Chemicals - 1961

  15. Commercial Bank of Africa – Finance - 1962

  16. Development Bank of Kenya – Finance - 1963

Is there any other you think we've left out? Share with us in the comment section below. 

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Comments

    OYIRWOTH | June 20, 2020 07:21

    IT IS OKAY

    Kischa | June 06, 2020 16:31

    this is so encouraging

    EDWARD | June 04, 2020 09:01

    Waoh!"now we need accommodation here".

    Vincent | June 04, 2020 07:18

    Am so proud of KCB group. My bank of chice.

    OKOTH | June 04, 2020 06:54

    wow i didnt know that KCB is such a old bank

    Denis lui | June 04, 2020 04:25

    Micheliam investments 1964

    namoma | June 04, 2020 03:46

    Kiwi shoe polish 1906

    Anthony | June 04, 2020 01:24

    The standard group

    Ayera | June 03, 2020 16:40

    thanks for your existence.

    Kelvinah | June 02, 2020 09:01

    hich of these companies thrive in money market?

    moses | June 01, 2020 14:03

    lets continue keeping safe!

    Dennis | June 01, 2020 09:30

    Wow Thought provoking

    kabakubya | May 31, 2020 08:19

    This must be one of the The Best companies left. It's so amazing

    Stephen | May 29, 2020 05:48

    Wooow well done...

    P9elqve9yvauzemfkyo6

    Benard | June 04, 2020 05:56

    good to here that from you.blessed day

    BILL | May 28, 2020 13:42

    Hello, could you do a review on ownership of these companies and trace whether Kenyans have the controlling stake of these companies today? In my opinion, for this reason, it could be a moment worth celebrating.

    Matilda | May 28, 2020 11:45

    Telkom Kenya

    PETER | May 28, 2020 09:25

    Davis&Shirtliff Ltd 1946

    Dorcas | May 28, 2020 08:15

    Colgate Palmolive

    Irene | May 28, 2020 07:59

    Optica Ltd

    Audrey | May 28, 2020 06:23

    Coca Cola Company - FMCG - 1928

    Vincent | May 28, 2020 05:20

    It's overwhelming evidence of true patriotism of our nationalists who thought it wise and did not only lay foundation but also prepared an Africanized leadership to continue cherishing African indigenous resources,long live Africa.

    Isabell | May 28, 2020 05:00

    Maendeleo ya wanawake organisation- 1958

    james | May 28, 2020 04:43

    Automobile Association of Kenya - 1919

    ADELAIDE | May 28, 2020 04:43

    This must be one of tha best companies left this is so amazing 😘😘

    NELSON | May 28, 2020 04:31

    Kenyan Alliance Insurance Company 1915

    SIMEON MITCHELL | May 28, 2020 04:11

    pan Africa insurance now Sanlam 26/10/1946

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