Kennedy Rapudo Breaks Silence: ‘I’m Not Into Wash-Wash!

Rapudo and Amber Ray's family 

Amber Ray’s partner, Kennedy Rapudo, has come out swinging against rumors linking him to illegal money-laundering activities, popularly known as Wash-Wash. The businessman, who has always maintained a low profile about his wealth, dismissed the accusations as baseless and fueled by envy.

“Gold Scams? Wash-Wash? Not My Lane!”

In a fiery statement, Rapudo addressed the allegations, making it crystal clear that he’s not involved in any illegal dealings.

"Gold scams? Wash-Wash? Those are not my lanes, and they never will be," he said.

"The people who truly know me understand my values and principles. I've never been involved in anything illegal, and I never will be. If I were, by now there’d be evidence everywhere—not rumors from empty heads."

Rapudo encouraged people to channel their curiosity elsewhere instead of speculating about his financial sources.

"Just because someone decides to live a private life doesn’t mean they’re shady. If you’re curious, ask the people involved in such things—not me."

“Why Didn’t They Question My Poverty?”

Rapudo also took a jab at his critics, questioning why no one cared about his struggles before he made it big.

"Back then, when I was poor, why didn’t they question my source of poverty? Ama tuseme ni jealousy, njaa na roho chafu?"

He urged Kenyans to focus on meaningful battles like holding leaders accountable instead of obsessing over private citizens’ finances.

"Our fights should be against bad governance, not losing sleep over someone else’s hard-earned wealth."

From Hawker to Business Mogul: Rapudo’s Hustle

Rapudo didn’t shy away from sharing his humble beginnings. After completing Form Four, he worked as a hawker in Nairobi, selling flasks to make ends meet.

"I started by hawking, then moved on to making bricks and poultry farming. I was constantly hustling," he revealed.

His hunger for success didn’t stop there. Determined to secure a better future, he pursued higher education, earning two Master’s degrees—one from the University of Nairobi and another from USIU.

"In my work with oil companies like TULO and Africa Oil, I gained valuable experience and connections. That paved the way for my next steps," he said.

Building His Empire

In 2015, Rapudo made a bold leap into entrepreneurship. He initially invested in the ride-hailing business with multiple Uber vehicles. Later, his entrepreneurial journey took a dramatic turn when he joined a Dutch travel company, organizing tours for Netherlands-based clients.

"After leaving my job in 2015, I began my own travel business, primarily handling tours and travels for Dutch clients," he explained.

“Keep Talking While I Keep Building”

Unfazed by the rumors, Rapudo concluded with a powerful statement:

"It’s funny how people love to speculate instead of focusing on their own lives. While they talk, I’ll keep building my life the right way, one honest step at a time."

With his inspiring rags-to-riches story, Rapudo continues to defy the odds—and the rumors.