Meet Tycoon Behind Guardian Angel Empire

Guardian Angel is one of the most recognizable transportation brands in Kenya, with a fleet comprising of tens of buses plying various routes. In particular, Guardian Angel has a major presence in Western Kenya.

The company started off plying the Nairobi-Nakuru-Kericho-Kisumu-Mbale-Kakamega-Nairobi route, and has since expanded to several other towns and centres including Siaya, Migori, Mbale, Eldoret, Webuye, Busia, Malaba, Bondo, Kakamega, Nyamira and Keroka.

The Guardian Angel fleet is owned by the family of the late business mogul Ong’era Moturi, who passed away in 2019. His son, Julius Mokaya Ong’era, took over the running of the business and serves as an Executive Director of Guardian Angel – representing the third generation of the family to run the operation.

The family also owns Nyamira Express, a more affordable transportation brand also plying Western Kenya routes, as well as the Guardian Hotel and Mwamoturi Hardware in Nyamira.

Guardian Hotel in Nyamira is one of the largest and most popular hotels in Nyamira. It features modern, stylish design and amenities, and manicured green spaces – making it a top venue for meetings and events in the county.

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Ong’era Moturi took over the running of the family business from his father Nahashon Ong’era Omote. Variously described as hard-working, Ong’eta Moturi led an aggressive expansion of the business, significantly expanding the transportation fleet and making the Guardian Angel brand a household name. He is also credited with the establishment of Mwamoturi Hardware.

Ong’era Moturi,  born in 1924, was one of the most prominent businessmen in the Gusii region. When he passed on in 2019, tributes poured in from across the country.

“He was an advisor and a mentor to many. It’s a massive loss to our county,” stated then Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama.

“Wealth creation, creation of jobs and good governance were on top of his priorities. We shall forever miss him as a county.”

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