Meet Ambwere Twins Who Have Carved Own Paths in Corporate World, Don't Meddle in Father's Estate

 

They hardly talk about their affluent background, preferring a self-driven, humble, focused, industrious, yet grounded pursuit of corporate success. This is a total contrast to most of the privileged Kenyan dynastic families.  When tycoon Ambwere offered to pay Kenyan teachers It is astonishing how the Ambwere twins, commonly known as “Tim and Nick," have maintained a low profile for over 30 years and how they have shaped their path within the global corporate sector as C-Suite executives despite being heirs to one of Kenya's top tycoons and steering away from the proverbial soft life. Timothy Mudasia and Nicholas Abwunza are the sons of Ibrahim Ambwere, a Kenyan business mogul commonly known for his vast business ventures spreading across numerous counties in Kenya and his unprecedented gesture to bail out the Kenyan government in the 90s by offering to pay all the teachers.  At the time, the Daniel Moi regime had trouble meeting teachers’ salary obligations, causing upheaval.  Little is known about the two global corporate executives born and raised in Chavakali, in Vihiga county, where their father has investments, such as the Ambwere Alliance Hotel. The duo attended Kenyan elementary schools. They got their secondary education at Vihiga High School before taking different paths in higher education. Tim enrolled for his undergraduate studies at Moi University before proceeding to Australia for a master’s. On the other hand, Nick studied at Makerere University and later enrolled at the University of Nairobi. During their formative years, the twins spent much time with their mother, a medical practitioner and a stickler on education matters, an attribute she shares with the twins' father. “Their mum loves education so much and was a member of several school committees. She served at Kakamega Hospital and Mbale Hospital before retiring. Having not had a chance to get quality education, their father heavily invested in their education, and this has seen Nick and Tim forge different paths from that taken by their old man,” a close family friend told TUKO.co.ke.  Tim is a consultant in Australia, serving as a key financial advisor to government bodies focusing on multi-billion-dollar pension funds and insurance. His current assignment is with the emergency services and state departments. The father of two previously worked for National Australia Bank, one of the Big Four banks, and numerous globally respected wealth advisory firms like AMP and MLC. The younger twin, Nick, serves as Chief Human Resource, Public Affairs, and Communication Officer for Coca-Cola (CBL) in Africa. He has previously steered numerous companies across Africa, the United Kingdom, and Israel, including top brands such as Carlsberg, Kansai Plascon, GT Bank, MTN Group, and Kenya Airways. Despite vast family interests in hospitality real estate, being one of the biggest landowners in the country, holding equity across top companies, and the Ambwere’s being a household name across Kenya, the brothers have successfully crafted their paths in a similar way their father did and changed the tides in his favour in the 70s and 80s. Word on the streets indicates that the independence of the two has earned them great respect and a special place with their father. Timothy Mudasia (l) and Nicholas Abwunza (r) look forward to a Kenya without fallouts in wealthy families due to unbridled and selfish motives. Photo: Nicholas Abwunza /Timothy Mudasia. Source: UGC The future looks bright for the two individuals, even as they envision becoming part of Africa's next generation of leaders. Succession disputes in Kenyan billionaire families However, could this potentially bring about a significant change in how legacies are managed in Kenya, where family businesses often struggle due to a lack of internal skills, inadequate transition planning, and self-centred interests? TUKO.co.ke understands that the Ambweres have a long-standing friendship with the family of James Njenga Karume, who was a wealthy Kenyan politician and businessman. However, after he died in 2012, the KSh 40 billion estate of Karume has been a source of conflict for his kin, leaving some living in penury and with protracted court cases. Timothy Mudasia (l) poses for a snap.Several other wealthy Kenyan families, for instance, Atul Shah of Nakumatt and Joram Kamau (Tuskys), among others, have followed the same perilous path of trading barbs over the administration of investments left behind by their parents. In contrast, the Ambwere twin brothers have kept a very low profile, focusing on reshaping the corporate landscape globally and avoiding meddling in their father’s massive estate. “With a highly grounded mother, a stickler for education and community service, she has nurtured and inspired the twins to acquire the highest levels of education across leading universities. The brothers live very guarded and private lives. They prefer ordinary lives despite working for Fortune 500 global brands and being heirs to privilege,” the source continued. Timothy Mudasia during a picnic, showing his culinary skills. Photo: Nicholas Abwunza . Source: Instagram The story of the brothers is a true testament that, whereas you can be privileged, and the world outside can resonate with you with elements of abundance, self-discipline and personal principles are fundamental in shaping one’s life journey. The unwavering level of humility exhibited by the two is a true affirmation that we can all build a better tomorrow despite our status in life.

by  Muyela Roberto