When it comes to our inaugural Person of the Year, entrepreneurship is not just about numbers that translate on the balance sheets and financial statements. It is about numbers that translate to transforming lives, creating social change and inspiring a generation that believes in hardwork, strategy and most importantly, confronting the status quo.

It is about constantly questioning the way things have always been done and finding ways to fastrack growth by leveraging opportunities that come along the course of building a brand. For instance, must building a successful brand and company take a decade? Is it always about having experience that sets true entrepreneurs apart from the wannabes? Can one not only achieve corporate success but still use the chance to improve the lives of the people around them? And the cardinal of all, what differentiates the true brand leaders from their peers?

For the 2023 period, we focused on the wider real estate sector CEOs and Founders and how they have impacted the sector through the many programs and projects undertaken in the year under review. Based on this, our team shortlisted THREE incredible individuals whose contributions were so immense that they actually contributed a hugh chunk of the number of projects in the market.

These amazing founders include Dr George Wachiuri who not only leads one of the most resilient property companies – Optiven Ltd – having clocked 24 years in operation last year but also invests heavily in business mentorship programs We also congratulate him on his recent conferment of two honorary doctorate degrees. Dr. Wachiuri has built a reputable brand that not only believes in profits but in lowering a helping hand to uplift the economy as well.

The other key personality is Mr. Mwenda Thuranira, the CEO of Myspace Properties who has worked tirelessly to not only introduce but see to it that the strip mall concept became a reality in Kenya. He successfully delivered the Mytown Karen Mall with the Nyali and Kisii Town Malls set to open soon. Mr. Thuranira has also invested heavily in the Isiolo community through supporting educational programs through his Mwenda Thuranira Foundation.

Finally, there is Mr. Peter Nyaga, the Founder and Managing Director of Certified Homes Limited. A man under whose leadership the company has experienced an exponential growth and with it, turned many customers into investors, influencers into brand ambassadors, given a beam of hope unto the vulnerable and ensuring sustainability while at it. This is why we celebrate Peter Nyaga as the inaugural Valuable Brands Person Of The Year 2023.

Peter Nyaga’s Background

Mr. Nyaga got introduced to adversity at a very young age when his mother passed on while he was still in Primary school and had to be sent to a boarding school – which posed many challenges in raising school fees and for high school, he almost missed his admission due to reporting a whole two months late! This kind of upbringing would definitely make one start thinking outside the box. The one thing that most likely pushed him into business from that early age from selling sweets and biscuits to classmates in high school to eventually establishing his own real estate firm many years later. A decision that would pay off in millions. Literally. Academically, Mr. Nyaga holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Purchase and Supply Chain Management from the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

As you would expect it, it was never a perfect meteoric rise to wealth void of missteps and encountering a number of challenges. The humble upbringing taught him humility and simplicity that would later enable him to easily dine with kings and the commonfolk and treat everyone with dignity. Another humbling experience occurred during the 2017 general elections in which he unsuccessfully vied for an MCA Seat in Tharaka Nithi County. Besides these two, Peter Nyaga would find himself in deep debts when he indulged himself into the luxury life of the city on making his first million! A time that would clearly transform his life philosophy and with it, choosing it pursue something bigger than himself. A purpose that would change how real estate is done in Kenya as we know it.

A story he vividly captures in his first book: Achieving Your Dreams.

Building The Certified Homes Brand

In what would be described as a master stroke of risk taking and ingenuity combined, He together with his team established the Certified Homes brand just as the Covid-19 pandemic was creating uncertainty across sectors and economies globally. Yet with the company’s target clientele being the diaspora community, tow things were likely to happen: Either the firm would rise above the challenges and march towards greatness or be strangled at its infancy by the disrupted value chains within which it operated. Interestingly, the company was able to launch successfully more than five land projects across the country in its first year!

Furthermore, he has delivered several projects with the main being KWITU Gardens Phase 1 comprising of 38 units and now on Phase 2 of 40 units. Meanwhile these are at various levels of completion: Sukari Heights awaiting handover in April 2024, the Diani Holiday Homes, KWITU Holidays Malindi, The Bliss Ruiru, Diani Beach Plots, Juja Executive among many others.

To be selected a person of the year by Valuable Brands, we place a huge emphasis on your brand building process. We seek to explore the various unique brand strategies and expansion plans responsible for getting your company at its current position in the market. Undoubtedly, the founding and growth of Certified Homes as a brand has achieved its place. We discovered some of the strategies as outlined below:

• Use of Brand Ambassadors Globally – Building a brand around your target clientele is a must when pursuing brand excellence. Infact, trying to get as close to them as possible is an excellent way to achieve this. Mr. Nyaga understands this probably more than any other in the country with bringing onboard Brand Ambassadors from across the world. These Ambassadors not only act as representatives of the disapora clients within the firm’s community but also create an effective communication loop for new projects, investment opportunities and any upcoming plans by the company. Currently, the company has brand ambassadors in ALL States in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Scotland, all African Countries, all United Arab Emirates amongst many others. Locally, he works with a number of influencers such as Mama Baha, DJ GeeGee, Mchungaji, Moya David.
• A unique brand name – The real estate sector is the one economic segment that is built and maintained by trust. And when it comes to branding as well, a name means more. This is something the person of the year got right by naming the firm Certified Homes. A brand that continually works on ensuring value for investors and insistence on dealing with properties with certified documents. Therefore making a commitment to their customers of doing their much needed due diligence on behalf of the investors.
• Leveraging Brand Opportunities – The company has a keen eye for branding opportunities within and outside the country. Especially platforms that grow its brand awareness such as Coroporate events such as participating at the Kenya Homes Expo, The Realtors Expo, The Realty Expo by Nation Media; social events such as diaspora tours by musicians and even the Churchill Show.
• A Culture that Celebrates Excellence – As the brand experts say, All you have to do is to take care of your employees and you will not have to worry about your customers. This is true of Peter Nyaga as he empowers his staff with appreciation tokens and even handing the best performing ones cars! This kind of incentives not only drive the team but also creates a culture that celebrates excellence.

Community Driven Philanthropy

As is the old saying, money does not really change people, it exposes who they are and Peter Nyaga chooses to take this to heart with the several community programs supported by his company. For instance, he has always opted to celebrate his birthdays with the vulnerable kids in the Children’s Homes by marshalling friends and colleagues to promote them. Further to this, Certified Homes currently sponsors over 20 students across the country in notable schools such as Meru School and Mary Leakey Girls. Unlike many scholarship schemes, the company offers full support ranging from the school fees, uniforms, pocket money etc to ensure the total peace of mind and concentration to studies.

The biggest milestone being a student, Simon Gathanga who successfully finished at Kagumo High School and now pursuing Acturial Science at the famed Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT). Read the story by TUKO.CO.KE here.

Special Interest Groups Support

In conclusion, empowerment is no longer just about giving. Empowerment is now embodied in creating sustainability to ensure dignity is maintained and self sufficiency as well. Mr. Peter Nyaga does this by offering seed capital to the various widows and People with disabilities that the firm supports. The supported groups are assisted to start tailoring businesses, farming and easy to run projects.

PERSON OF THE YEAR 2023: PETER NYAGA

We therefore present to you our inaugural Person of the Year Recognition : Mr. Peter Nyaga, the founder and Managing Director of Certified Homes Ltd. Valuable Brands Kenya says congratulations.