Samuel Kamau Macharia, widely known as S. K. Macharia, is the founder and chair of Royal Media Services, one of Kenya’s largest private radio and TV networks.
Early Life and Education
Macharia, 82, was born in Ndakaini, Murang’a County. He is the second child and only son of his parents’ four children. His parents were squatters working on settler plantations during the colonial government.
He is a professionally trained school teacher. He enrolled in Kahuhia Teachers Training College and completed his training in 1961.
Macharia is a well-read senior citizen who owns several degrees and Master’s. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Seattle Pacific University. His second degree is a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Washington. The serial entrepreneur also has a Master of Science in Accounting/Finance, a Master of Arts degree in Accounting, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Fun Facts About SK Macharia
- When his mother died, at 5, the family moved to Arusha, Tanzania briefly before going back to Ndakaini where he commenced his education.
- In 1962, Macharia applied for and was accepted to Kennedy Airlifts, founded by John F. Kennedy (former USA President). It supported Kenyan students to study in the US and Canada.
- His company, Madhupaper, was the only Kenyan tissue manufacturer (1985). Its main product, Rosy, became a household name. It was placed under receivership by KCB for failing to meet debt obligations.
Family and Personal Life
Macharia is married to Purity Gathoni Macharia and is blessed with six children. Gathoni comes from a well-known family. She is the sister of former powerful Kenyan Cabinet Minister, Njeru Githae, and celebrated Nairobi University Professor Micere Githae Mugo.
Public Service
After he returned to Kenya, in 1969, he took up a public service role. He worked as a Finance Officer in the Ministry of Local Government.
Later, he moved to the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) before taking a role in Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE). His experience and connections in the public sector gave him a headstart in the business world.
Business Ventures
Macharia founded Citizen TV in 1990 as a private station. Royal Media Services (RMS) flagship outlets are Citizen TV and Radio Citizen. RMS also owns other vernacular stations including Musii, Ramogi, Inooro, Chamgei, Muuga, Egesa FM, Bahari, Mulembe, Wimwaro, Sulwe, Hot 96, and Vuuka FM.
Sources say that he makes millions of dollars annually, mostly from ad revenues from Viu Sasa and Citizen Digital. The digital brands are household names as their content appeals to the rural mass market.
His other ventures include Directline Insurance, Serenity Media Productions Ltd, Big Five Conservancy, Bushfire Media Distributors, Toi Redevelopment, and Harbour Capital Ltd.
Business & Entrepreneurship Awards
In 2012, Macharia was among Forbes’s Top 10 List of African Millionaires to Watch. In 2013, he was also on Africa Report’s 2013 list of the 50 most influential Africans. He was honored with the 2015 Eastern Africa Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement. Macharia also holds an honorary degree from the University of Nairobi.
SK Macharis Net Worth
Multiple reliable sources estimate his net worth at KES 40 billion ($298 million). This cannot be independently verified as most of his holdings are private and do not publicly share their annual revenues as is the case with listed entities.
Political Life
Though the tycoon has mastered the art of shifting political allegiances, he has never publicly stood for any political seat. He had several run-ins with Moi’s government, which cracked down on independent media outlets. Citizen TV, in particular, has been criticized for alleged bias towards certain political figures and parties. After the 2022 elections, Macharia supported veteran opposition figure, Raila Odinga.
