The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
The 1979 Iranian revolution was one of the defining moments of the 20th century. It created the world’s first Islamic state after The Shah, who had ruled for nearly four decades, before being overthrown via a popular revolt spearheaded by exiled cleric, Ayatollah Khomeini. America supported the secular Shah Mohammad Pahlavi, hence Iran’s enduring hatred for the country it calls ‘The Great Satan.’
Among the families that fled were the Ehsanis. They professed the Bahai faith, which was thought to be too pro-West in old school Iran. Fearing reprisals, the Ehsanis came to Kenya in 1981, enroute to Australia. But that never happened. They, over time, built Nairobi’s upmarket Tribe Hotel and Village Market - which turned 20 this year.
Abbas Ehsani: He instructed younger brother Mehraz Ehsani to design 30 shops and a small supermarket for the $1.5 million (Sh150 million at current exchange rates) project in 1995. The seven acres of coffee bought then is now Village Market, its 150 shops; the 137 room Tribe Hotel, all valued at Sh12 billion!
Mehraz Ehsani: The British-trained engineer was teaching architecture (which he studied in America) at the University of Nairobi where he helped establish the course when his siblings fled Iran. The designer of the atypically Tribe Hotel caused a stir in 2014 after creating - for Zana International - Kenya’s most expensive private home, the Sh600 million, House No. 12 Magnolia Hills in Kitisuru, Nairobi.
Hamed Ehsani: The Village Market MD earned an MBA (marketing) from the Iran Centre for Management Studies and a Bsc (international business) from the University of San Francisco. Hamed was driving with Abbas around Gigiri when they spotted a diamond in the rough.
Fara Ehsani: Art connoisseur who helped collect the over 900 art pieces that dot Tribe Hotel. She’s the wife of Hamed and mother to Hooman, Shamim and Soha Ehsani.
Hooman Ehsani: The CEO of Century City Property studied at Tufts University (international finance). He developed Nairobi’s Palm Valley estate comprising 88 luxury apartments on 20 acres valued at Sh3 billion. The project won the Best Residential Development award during the 2015 International Property Awards in Dubai.
Shamim Ehsani: Studied business administration at Babson College, USA. This creative director was also the branding and marketing man at Tribe for which he designed its rooftop lounge, The Nest.
Soha Ehsani: He is a Babson College alumnus (business administration) and a director at Century City Property.
