Kenneth Gitonga Mbae
Kenneth Gitonga Mbae is a Kenyan real-estate strategist renowned for transforming dormant land banks into thriving mixed-use cities that drive economic growth and social impact. He holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from JKUAT and an MBA in Strategic Management, academic foundations that equipped him with both analytical precision and business foresight. Mbae joined Centum Investments in 2011 as a graduate trainee and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming deputy MD of Athena Properties. There, he played a pivotal role in managing project controls for the landmark 67-acre Two Rivers Development, which hosts East Africa’s largest mall and introduced the region’s first integrated smart-city infrastructure.
In 2018, Centum entrusted him with leading Vipingo Development on Kenya’s north coast, a role where his visionary approach has yielded flagship projects such as the 500-unit Palm Ridge affordable-housing estate, the expansive Vipingo Industrial Park—already attracting major tenants like King Plastics and Mombasa Cement—and an upcoming 18-hole coastal championship golf course. These initiatives have created 1,500 direct jobs and over 4,000 in the wider supply chain.
Mbae is also a strong advocate of sustainability, pursuing EDGE certification across projects and pioneering a 10-MW solar park. As a mentor and industry leader, he exemplifies how strategic planning and community partnerships can unlock inclusive, long-term growth.