Kenya’s Gupta? Inside the Shady Empire of Narendra Raval and His Grip on Ruto’s Govt

Kenya’s Gupta—that’s the label increasingly pinned on billionaire Narendra Raval, Executive Chairman of Devki Group, whose cozy alliance with President William Ruto is raising alarm bells in a nation battered by economic hardship, joblessness, and soaring living costs.

Much like the infamous Gupta family of South Africa, Raval is seen as a powerbroker leveraging political ties to dominate entire industries, land shady government deals, and suppress scrutiny.

From a fertilizer scandal that devastated farmers to sweetheart tenders and suspiciously warm relations with labor boss Francis Atwoli, Raval’s grip on Kenya’s economy is tightening—while millions of ordinary citizens continue to suffer.

President Ruto hailed Narendra Raval, Executive Chairman of Devki Group, as a transformative leader—credited with creating over 14,000 jobs and supporting 12,000 schoolchildren daily for two decades. [Photo: Courtesy]

The Rise of ‘Kenya’s Gupta’ – Raval’s Unholy Ties with the Ruto Regime

Narendra Raval has quietly positioned himself as the untouchable billionaire within Kenya’s industrial and political arenas.

A man with interests in steel, cement, and energy, Raval wields disproportionate influence over government decisions.

His appointment as Chair of Kenya’s Manufacturing Council was not mere coincidence—it was a strategic move to tighten his grip on state machinery.

Much like the Guptas in South Africa, who controlled key ministerial appointments under Jacob Zuma, Raval enjoys VIP access to President Ruto’s inner circle.

Government tenders are mysteriously tilted in his favor, and Devki Group is emerging as the preferred partner in everything from fertilizer distribution to mega construction contracts.

Kenyans are starting to connect the dots: Why does one businessman seem to appear in nearly every major infrastructure or agriculture-related project? Why does the government continue to trust a man with a tainted track record?

The Rotten Fertilizer Scandal: Profits Over People

In 2023, Russia donated 70,000 tons of fertilizer to Kenya to support struggling farmers. Instead of distributing this life-saving aid directly, the government handed it over to none other than the Devki Group. What followed was a textbook example of greed and exploitation.

Devki allegedly repackaged the fertilizer, mixing it with sand and questionable chemicals to increase the volume. They then sold it back to the government for distribution.

The result? Massive crop failures, soil contamination, and widespread farmer despair. Raval cashed in, while rural livelihoods went up in smoke.

This was not just a case of corporate malpractice—it was state-enabled economic sabotage. The parallels with South Africa’s GuptaLeaks are chilling.

There, the Guptas looted state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and manipulated government policy. In Kenya, Raval appears to be walking the same path—with Ruto’s blessing.

Sweetheart Deals and Tenders: Devki’s Unchecked Expansion

Narendra Raval’s Devki Group has become synonymous with opaque government contracts. From roads to cement supply and industrial power generation, Devki’s name keeps popping up.

The billionaire has mastered the art of state capture: win tenders with little competition, exploit tax loopholes, and ensure no regulatory oversight.

While small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle with bureaucracy and over-taxation, Devki thrives. Kenya Revenue Authority looks the other way. Trade ministry officials don’t blink. It’s a monopoly masquerading as economic development.

Narendra Raval is not just another rich man. He is a powerful figure manipulating Kenya’s economy and politics for personal gain—Kenya’s Gupta in every sense. [Photo: Courtesy]

The Selling Out of Kenyan Workers: Atwoli, Labor Unions, and the Billionaire’s Grip

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has long been the voice of Kenyan workers—until it wasn’t. Under Secretary General Francis Atwoli, COTU has morphed into a mouthpiece for big business, especially Devki Group.

Atwoli, once vocal against corporate exploitation, is now regularly seen endorsing Raval’s projects.

From attending factory launches to public praises of Devki’s “job creation,” Atwoli’s alliance with Raval is both strategic and suspicious.

Workers have reported unsafe conditions and poor pay within Devki plants, yet COTU remains silent.

Is Atwoli pocketing perks to keep quiet? Is the labor movement being used to whitewash Raval’s shady business practices? Many Kenyan workers say yes.

Workers’ Rights Crushed Under Devki’s Boot

Multiple whistleblowers and former Devki employees have reported hostile work environments, low wages, and the use of subcontracting firms to avoid legal obligations.

Union efforts to organize inside Devki factories have allegedly been blocked through intimidation and blacklisting.

Just like how the Guptas turned state institutions into tools for wealth extraction, Raval appears to be doing the same to Kenya’s labor movement. Exploit the workers, silence the unions, and smile for the cameras.

Media Silence and the Death of Investigative Journalism

While international outlets whisper about “Kenya’s Gupta,” local media remains largely silent. Why? Because Devki is one of the country’s top advertisers.

From full-page ads to sponsorships of press events, Devki’s money buys silence. This echoes the South African case, where Gupta-aligned outlets were used to spread propaganda and silence dissent.

With every press conference Atwoli attends and every media blackout around Raval’s scandals, the web of influence grows.

The Time to Speak Out Is Now

Narendra Raval is not just another rich man. He is a powerful figure manipulating Kenya’s economy and politics for personal gain—Kenya’s Gupta in every sense.

From poisoning crops to co-opting unions and capturing state contracts, his empire thrives while Kenyans bleed.

The fertilizer scandal is only one piece of a larger puzzle. If President Ruto is serious about transparency and integrity, he must investigate Raval’s dealings.

But for that to happen, civil society, opposition leaders, and brave journalists must rise. Because when billionaires are allowed to become untouchable, democracy dies in silence.