What does the future of Kenya look like? If the Top 40 Under 40 Men of 2025 are anything to go by, it is bright, innovative, and deeply rooted in community impact. In a recent studio discussion, four of this year’s honorees, Bobby Patel, Kennedy Lanayo Asosano, James Kitavi, and Dr. Kevin Onua Ombati—shared their journeys, their ambitious growth plans, and how they are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to reshape their industries.
Here is a look at the men who are redefining success.
Bobby Patel: Unlocking the Youth Demographic
For Bobby Patel of Mosaic and CrossBoundary Real Estate, this recognition is a call to “pay it forward.” His mission is to solve a critical urban challenge: dignified housing for the youth.
- The Vision: Bobby is building urban youth housing in Nairobi with plans for regional expansion. He aims to provide secure, well-located homes with essential perks like free Wi-Fi and flexible leases.
- The AI Edge: In the real estate sector, Bobby is using AI to process data from smart homes—tracking water and electricity usage to cut costs for tenants and justify green investments to stakeholders.
Kennedy Lanayo Asosano: From Cleaner to Director
Kennedy’s story is the definition of grit. Starting as a bank cleaner in 2009 while studying journalism, he is now the Director of Africa Business at Eber, handling global transactions worth 2.7 trillion shillings.
- The Vision: Kennedy wants to make cross-border payments across emerging markets seamless and unrestricted by language or geography.
- The AI Edge: He views AI as central to financial inclusion, using it to streamline client onboarding and make banking accessible even in rural areas.
James Kitavi: Changing the Narrative on Waste
James Kitavi of Keki Limited is proving that there is success to be found in every sector—even waste management. He is on a mission to fight counterfeiting and create dignified “green jobs.”
- The Vision: James is focused on environmental conservation and changing the perception of the waste industry. By recycling glass and engaging waste pickers, he is turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
- The AI Edge: James sees AI as a game-changer for recycling, using QR codes to scan products for recyclability and automating production lines to boost capacity while maintaining a 150-strong workforce.
Dr. Kevin Onua Ombati: Education as the Great Equalizer
A Cardiothoracic Radiologist and Lecturer, Dr. Ombati views his recognition as a moment for self-reflection. He is a staunch advocate for education, calling it the “great equalizer” required for Kenya to reach first-world status.
- The Vision: Over the next decade, Dr. Ombati plans to train the best radiologists in the region, ensuring that Kenyans no longer need to travel abroad for world-class healthcare.
- The AI Edge: In radiology, AI is a lifesaver—literally. Dr. Ombati explains how it reduces diagnostic misses, predicts cancer types without biopsies, and speeds up drug development.
The Common Thread: Policy & Progress
Beyond their individual industries, the group touched on the critical role of government policy. From the need for a predictable tax regime and free-market currency valuation to the enforcement of environmental regulations like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the consensus is clear: for business to prosper, the ecosystem must be supportive.
These four men represent a generation that is not just dreaming of a better future but actively building it—one block, transaction, bottle, and diagnosis at a time.
