Kennedy Rapudo: If I were in Wash Wash, there would be evidence by now
By Steve Ireri, October 30, 2025Businessman Kennedy Rapudo has spoken candidly about the misconceptions surrounding the source of his wealth, asserting that his success has been built purely through hard work and determination rather than any involvement in illegal money dealings.
Speaking in a video Dr Ofweneke shared on TikTok on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Rapudo, who has been the subject of frequent online speculation linking him to so-called wash wash activities, stated that such claims are baseless and fail to recognise his long journey of persistence and resilience.
He explained that many people have made assumptions simply because they cannot comprehend the process behind his rise, yet his story is one of consistency and effort rather than shortcuts.
“No, I am a businessman. It is important for people to understand that I am educated. People often claim that I am involved in money laundering, but honestly, I have hustled to get where I am,” Rapudo lashed.
Rapudo, who is married to socialite and nightclub hostess Amber Ray, revealed that he has lived and worked in the city for the past sixteen years, a period that has tested and shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. He noted that if there were any truth to the allegations, evidence would have surfaced long ago, given his visibility in business circles.
“ I have lived in Nairobi for the past sixteen years, and if I were in the wash wash business, there would be evidence of that by now,” Rapudo said.
Rapudo described himself as a learned and ambitious individual, emphasising that education and discipline played a central role in shaping his values.
He recalled his high school days, where, despite studying in a school with no proper laboratory facilities, he still managed to score a B+ in Physics through sheer effort and focus.
He noted that his secret was cramming chemical reactions and colour changes from books since there were no practical resources available to him.
“People are simply surprised at how I have succeeded, but if they understood my journey, where I started and how far I have come, they would see that it is purely through hard work. Back in high school, I scored a B+ in Physics, even though my school was poor and had no laboratory equipment. What I used to do was memorise everything, like knowing that if this chemical mixes with that one, it gives a certain colour, because we had nothing to practise with,” Rapudo added.
He shared that from as early as Class Four, he consistently topped his class and nurtured dreams of becoming a doctor, a sign of the ambition and discipline that later fuelled his business pursuits.
“When I was in high school, I wanted to be a doctor. I had big dreams and was very ambitious. Since I was in Class Four, I was always the top student,” Rapudo added.