Those who drive or shop along Kiambu Road often stop at Kiambu Mall — a beautiful, bustling complex full of life. Yet, most people don’t know the man behind it.
Today, I want to tell you the story of Peter Burugu, the quiet billionaire who owns Kiambu Mall — and who also happens to be one of the biggest distributors of Tusker beer in Kenya.
Peter’s story begins far from money or fame. He started small, as a young man who believed in hard work more than luck. After finishing school, he got his first job at East African Breweries Limited (EABL) as an accounts trainee. He wasn’t driving big cars or living large — he was learning.
For 27 years, Peter worked at EABL, slowly climbing the ranks until he became the head of distribution and logistics. During those years, he learned everything about how beer moved from the factory to bars and shops across Kenya. He understood trucks, routes, and people — the business inside out.
Then in 1995, after nearly three decades, Peter made a bold move. He decided to retire early. Most people thought he was crazy to leave such a stable job. But Peter had a plan.
At that time, the beer business in Kenya was in chaos. South African Breweries had entered the market and poached some of EABL’s biggest distributors, including the late Njenga Karume, who had switched sides.
EABL suddenly needed someone reliable to rebuild their network — and they turned to their trusted former employee, Peter Burugu.
Peter took the challenge. With his savings and an early retirement package, he took out a bank loan, bought nine trucks, and started a small distribution company called Bia Yetu.
At first, he distributed beer around Kiambu and Eastlands Nairobi — places like Dandora and Kariobangi. He worked long hours, personally overseeing deliveries, managing drivers, and winning over customers.
EABL saw his discipline and gave him credit for one year to help his new business stand on its feet.
Within a few years, Peter’s business grew fast. When another distributor failed in Nairobi West, EABL asked him to take over. He started another company, Bia Tosha, to manage the new area.
By 2008, the two companies had become too big to run separately, so he merged them into one — Bia Tosha Distributors Ltd.
From just nine trucks, Peter grew his fleet to over a hundred. His company became one of the largest beer distributors in the country, covering areas like South C, Industrial Area, Upper Hill, Rongai, and Namanga.
By then, he was handling about 12% of all beer leaving EABL’s Ruaraka plant — a business worth billions every year.
That’s how Peter made his first fortune — not by luck, but by experience, consistency, and trust.
With success in distribution came new opportunities. Peter wanted to invest his profits wisely, so he founded Mugaa Investments Ltd, his real estate company.
He didn’t rush. He waited for the right project — one that would stand for generations.
That project was Kiambu Mall — a massive KSh 800 million shopping centre in the heart of Kiambu town.
The mall is five storeys tall, sits on 14,300 square metres, and hosts top brands like Naivas Supermarket, Pizza Inn, Chicken Inn and Nairobi Hospital.
Today, it’s one of the most popular malls in Kiambu — and a symbol of what quiet, disciplined success can build.
Peter didn’t stop there. He’s also passionate about education. He once owned Regis Runda Academy, which he later sold for KSh 1.2 billion to a South African education group. With the proceeds, he began building a KSh 100 million school in Kisaju, Kitengela called Mother of Mercy Education Centre, a school for 360 needy children.
Peter is married and has four children — one daughter and three sons. His daughter, Anne-Marie Burugu, took over as Managing Director of Bia Tosha in 2011, while his sons help run the family’s real estate business.
Despite his immense wealth, Peter remains humble and private. You won’t find him showing off or giving flashy interviews. He prefers a quiet life, letting his work and his legacy speak for him — the trucks that deliver beer across Nairobi, and the shoppers who walk through Kiambu Mall every weekend.
From an accounts trainee to a billionaire entrepreneur, Peter Burugu’s story is one of patience, discipline, and courage.
He didn’t inherit wealth. He built it — one truck, one crate, one brick at a time.
