From Hawker to Millionaire: Kennedy Rapudo Spills the Tea on His Multi-Million Travel Empire and Wash Wash Allegations

Kennedy Rapudo 

Kennedy Rapudo, the soon-to-be husband of socialite Amber Ray, is not your average businessman. He's been the subject of wash wash allegations more than a few times, but now he's ready to set the record straight. Rapudo recently opened up about his rags-to-riches story, revealing how his travel business is bringing in the big bucks and how he went from hawking goods on the streets of Nairobi to running a multi-million-shilling company. And trust me—his journey is anything but ordinary.

A Humble Beginning: The Hustler's Life

In a candid interview with Obinna, Rapudo shared glimpses of his childhood, and it’s clear he’s no stranger to the grind. His mother’s jobs took the family all over Kenya, from Mombasa to Kisumu, Rift Valley, and Western Kenya. “Nilizaliwa Mombasa, and then my mum had different jobs, so I have been to different places. Nimeishi Kisumu, Rift Valley, Western—niko kila mahali,” Rapudo revealed.

Life wasn’t always easy. After high school, Rapudo hit the streets as a hawker, selling flasks and anything else he could to make ends meet. But the hustle didn’t stop there. He even ventured into brickmaking and poultry farming in search of that elusive stability. "I did that one, and at some point, I went back home. Nilikua nachoma matofali. I also tried kufuga kuku. I’ve been here and there trying to hustle," he admitted.

This man was clearly built for the hustle from day one.

From the Streets to the Ivory Tower: Rapudo’s Academic Rise

Rapudo wasn’t just content with hustling on the streets. He had bigger dreams. Determined to boost his prospects, he enrolled at the University of Nairobi, pursuing his first Master’s degree while juggling work in Kenya's oil industry. Yup, he worked with major players like Tullow Oil and Africa Oil, sharpening his research skills and expanding his network.

But that wasn’t enough. Rapudo went back to school, earning a second Master’s degree from USIU. “I went back to USIU to do my second Master’s because I loved their programs,” he said, proving that when it comes to leveling up, he’s unstoppable.

The Leap Into Entrepreneurship: From Uber to Dutch Tours

Rapudo’s big break came in 2015, when he left his oil job and dove into the world of entrepreneurship. First, he set up a ride-hailing business with several cars under Uber, but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling—travel. He secured a position with a Dutch company, organizing high-end tours for clients (mostly from the Netherlands). "After that, I started working for a Dutch company; we were doing tours and travels," Rapudo explained. His success soared as the clients kept coming in droves.

But then, COVID-19 hit, and like many businesses, the travel industry took a nosedive. Rapudo was laid off, but instead of crying over spilled milk, he turned lemons into lemonade. "When Corona hit, we were laid off. After that, I opened my own travel company," he said. And this is where things get juicy!

The Million-Dollar Empire and Wash Wash Rumors

Rapudo’s travel company exploded, raking in serious money, and with great success came some pretty wild rumors. Accusations of involvement in wash wash (Kenyan slang for money laundering) started swirling, but Rapudo doesn’t shy away from addressing them. Instead, he laughs it off, openly admitting that his travel business is a goldmine. "The travel business is immensely lucrative," he said, casually shutting down the allegations.

Rapudo's Road to Riches: Love Him or Hate Him, He's Winning

Whether you believe the wash wash rumors or not, there’s no denying Kennedy Rapudo’s hustle. From hawking flasks in Nairobi to running a multi-million-dollar travel business, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary. And while the rumors may continue, one thing is certain: Rapudo is laughing his way to the bank, and he’s not apologizing for it.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in Rapudo’s ever-fascinating saga—because something tells me this is just the beginning.