From Milk Hawker to Billionaire: How Buzeki Bought His Former Boss’s Factory After Eight Years of Hard Work and Built a Dairy and Logistics Empire

Buzeki’s Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Business Magnate

Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop, popularly known as Buzeki, is the chairman of Buzeki Group of Companies, a leading conglomerate primarily operating in dairy and logistics. He first captured the attention of many Kenyans during the 2017 electioneering period, when he declared his candidacy for the hotly-contested Uasin Gishu gubernatorial race.

Buzeki’s story is a remarkable tale of perseverance, hard work, and entrepreneurial vision. He began his career in the dairy industry as a Regional Dairy Sales Manager for Kilifi Plantations, later pioneering the introduction of Tuzo milk, a household name in Kenya. However, his rise to success was not immediate; it was built on years of determination and self-belief.

From Hawking Milk to Sales Manager

Buzeki’s first job was as a humble milk hawker on behalf of a milk factory in Kilifi, earning just Ksh 80 per day. From there, he was promoted to offload milk from delivery vans into the factory, before eventually being employed as a salesman. Despite having no formal training, Buzeki discovered his natural talent for sales.

“Then, I didn’t know I had a talent in selling because by the time I was given an opportunity to be a salesman, I was not formally trained. It was a skill that I had,” he recalled in an interview with Success Afrika.

His exceptional performance earned him a promotion to sales manager at the factory, where he continued to hone his skills and gain valuable experience in the dairy business.

Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship

After years of working in the dairy sector, Buzeki decided to venture into entrepreneurship. He established a distribution company in Mombasa, distributing milk among various shops. Over the next eight years, he built a formidable reputation as one of the largest milk distributors on the Kenyan coast, including distributing Tuzo milk.

“After distributing milk for eight years, I went back and actually bought the factory of my former boss, Kilifi Plantations, and I ended up buying another factory in Molo and Limuru,” Buzeki revealed. This bold move not only demonstrated his business acumen but also marked a full-circle moment in his career—from humble beginnings to factory ownership.

Diversifying into Logistics

In 2004, Buzeki diversified his business interests into transport and logistics through Buzeki Enterprises Limited, securing contracts with major companies like Bamburi Cement, UN-WFP, and East Africa Portland Cement. Despite the success of his logistics venture, Buzeki maintains that his true passion and core expertise remain in the dairy industry.

“In as much as people think that Buzeki is more of a logistician because trucks carry my name and move from point to point, my bread and butter is dairy. That’s why I love dairy farming, agriculture, and the story about me having a liking for milk is also something that is a bit cultural,” he explained.

Giving Back: Buzeki Foundation and Empowering Farmers

Beyond business, Buzeki is a philanthropist, church elder, and community leader. Through the Buzeki Foundation, he has initiated several programs aimed at empowering farmers. One notable initiative, Mlo Mashinani, launched in 2020, is an all-inclusive financial empowerment program for farmers.

Under this program, selected farmers are grouped into clusters, provided with seeds, expert advice, logistical support, and market access. They are also trained in advanced agricultural techniques to help sustain and grow their farms.

“We seek to provide seeds of Indigenous crops like pumpkins, arrow roots, sweet potatoes among others, offer field extension services to ensure proper seed utilization, and provide market support for surplus produce,” Buzeki said.

Buzeki’s journey from hawking milk for Ksh 80 a day to owning multiple factories and a logistics empire is an inspiring story of resilience, strategic thinking, and commitment to giving back. His life demonstrates that humble beginnings, combined with determination and vision, can lead to extraordinary success.