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Sunday, December 8, 2024
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PHOTOS: Kenyan Billionaire Behind Africa’s Top Skyscraper

Having your tower become the only Africa Building in the 10 world’s top skyscrapers is the ultimate status boost.

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Seated in his office suite at Old Britam House, Billionaireย Benson Wairegiย can marvel at his uninhibited view of Kenya’s tallest tower that bit all African buildings to clinch the revered world title.

The tower was, in February this year, featured in the top skyscrapers andย awardedย the Emporis Skyscraper Awardย in Germany.

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Wairegi, Britamโ€™s group managing director, however, reveals that it took more than sweet, tears and a lengthy period of time to clinch the title and shower in the tower’s pride.

โ€œYes, the award is a good thing and a global recognition of what we set out to do. It is a confirmation of our stand on innovation. However, I like to focus ahead on what we can do to keep this fire of innovation going,โ€ he toldย The Standard.

Benson Wairegi, Britamโ€™s group managing director.

The billionaire revealed that despite the fact that actual construction on the tower took place between 2013 and 2017, the foundation was laid 30 years ago.

In 1986, Wairegi was already mauling over the idea of relocating the headquarters of the Britam Company to Upper Hill, where the tower now stands.

At the time, the most valuable location was where the Old Britam was located, in the middle of CBD, whereas, Upper Hill only consisted of bungalows for government employees.

โ€œIt was a case of pushing boundaries by taking calculated risks. It was all about the future vision. The company has now come of age with a diverse portfolio that includes financial management services. We asked ourselves what we could now do to signify this financial strength. Thus the idea to construct the new tower was mooted,โ€ stated Wairegi.

The tower now topples any other in the country withย a water recycling system, LED lighting and a spacious atrium that invites a lot of natural light and air into the building.

Benson Wairegi

He was born in 1953.ย Mrย Wairegiย is the currentย Group Managing Directorย andย Group Chief Executive Officerย of Britam Holdings, formerly known as British-American Investmentsย Company.

When he was 24 years heย joined British-American as theย Chief Accountant.

He holds aย Bachelorย of Commerce degree (BCom) andย a Master of Business Administrationย (MBA), specialising inย Accounting and Financeย from theย University of Nairobi.ย He is also aย Certified Public Accountantย (CPA).

Full view of Britam Tower in Upper Hill

kenyans.co.ke

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