Ken Rapudo: This is how I make money
News
By
Vincent Kejitan
| Aug 09, 2023
Businessman Kennedy Rapudo has been a common figure in entertainment circles ever since he disclosed his relationship with Amber Ray.
His flamboyance and taste for the finest things in life led many to believe he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but far from it.
In a sit down with Obinna, Rapudo narrated how he struggled while growing up, losing his parents when he was in high school and having to relocate to Nairobi where he was under the care of a friend to his late mum.
Despite the challenges, Rapudo went on to score a B+ in KCSE and proceeded to the University of Nairobi where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree and later a Master's in Project Planning.
After landing his first job, he went to USIU for a second Master's in International Relations.
Asked how he started out, Rapudo said he used to survive on commission after selling some household stuff.
"When I was done with form four there was a job I used to do...I did hawking and on the first day, I sold goods worth Sh5000. The commission was 10 per cent...the next day I sold nothing. I used to sell thermoses and hotpots.
"At some point, I went back home where I used to bake bricks. I also tried poultry farming," he narrated.
Rapudo, 37, said he also worked with an Environmental Impact Assessment company where they would conduct research for various top oil companies.
He left his role in 2015 and ventured into the taxi business before joining a Dutch company that did tours and travel.
"I worked with the Dutch company for some time but when corona hit we were laid off. This is when I started my own travel company.
"I am not involved in any wash wash business. I do a lot of things but tours and travel is the main one," he said.
He added that getting a baby while in his second year also pushed him to think outside the box because he had a mouth to feed.
"I was in my 2nd year when my girlfriend told me she was expectant. I told her to keep it even though I did not have a job.
"I think it is the best decision I ever made...that's what birthed the spirit of entrepreneurship in me because I had a mouth to feed," he said.
Rapudo has three children; a daughter who is 12, a son who's 7 and Africanah (whom he got with Amber Ray). He is also taking care of Amber's son Gavin who is 13.
Asked how it is to head a blended family, Rapudo said it has been smooth. His first-born daughter is a partial boarder who spends most weekends with them (Rapudo and Amber) and visits her mother during holidays while his son lives with the mother but often visits.
"Gavin is very mature and has been playing that brotherly role very well. They all have good rapport. For the longest time Gavin used to call me Ken until his mother complained...nowadays he called me Baba Savani or Baba Africanah," he said.