Thread by @Wambingwa_

The HEARTBREAKING STORY of Kevin Omwenga, mostly known as RICHHY RICH;

A 28-year-old Kenyan car dealer who by joining MONEY LAUNDRY, venturing into the shadowy world of the washwash trade, lead to his untimely DEATH.

[ Open Thread ]
🧵🧵....

On the morning of August 21, 2020, Kevin Omwenga, also known as Richhy Rich, rose like royalty in his luxurious seventh-floor apartment at Savana Suites, Kilimani.

While many Kenyans grappled with financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin’s day began with plans for a celebration, as he extended party invitations to his circle of friends.

Unaware that danger lurked in the form of one of his guests, Robert Bodo, the host remained oblivious as he discreetly retrieved a Ceska pistol from the boss's office — a weapon that, before the sun set, end his life.

But how did this deadly turn of events come to be?
Here’s the story…

Kevin entered the world on February 28, 1991, in the quaint village of Soko nestled in Kisii County. He was the youngest son of Omwenga Senior, whose life was tragically cut short just two years later. This loss left Kevin, along with his two older brothers, in the devoted care of their resilient mother.

She faced countless struggles as she raised Kevin alongside his brothers, Wycliffe and Vincent Omwenga.

Yet, as the saying goes, "every child comes with their own blessing", and God provided a way.
Moved by compassion, their uncle—Omwenga Senior’s brother—stepped in, taking it upon himself to guide and support the boys as they grew.

Despite being from a widowed family, young Kevin was fortunate to have most of his basic needs met, thanks to the unwavering support of his uncle.

He began his educational journey at the local primary school and later advanced to Kisumu Boys, where his academic performance stood out admirably.

However, due to financial constraints, Kevin was unable to continue his education, which left him with no choice but to find other ways to make a living. The challenge was that he was still in Kisii County, a place where, aside from banana farming, opportunities were few and far between.

Determined to turn his life around, Kevin persuaded his uncle to let him stay in Nairobi as he sought to make his way in the bustling city. To his relief, his uncle agreed. And so, with nothing but a fierce determination in his heart, Kevin arrived in the city of stones, ready to conquer whatever came his way.

With a fierce determination to succeed and transform his family's future, Kevin made his way to Nairobi in April 2013, a true country boy at heart. He stayed with his uncle's family as he began navigating the unknowns of city life. Being new to the capital, he found himself uncertain about his next step, unsure of how to begin his journey.

However, there were two things Kevin was certain he would never do, no matter the circumstances:

1. He refused to follow in his brother Vincent Omwenga’s footsteps, working as a casual laborer in the various godowns scattered across Industrial Area.

2. He was determined never to follow in the footsteps of his other brother, Wycliffe Omwenga, who worked as a bus tout for Transline Bus Company.

To Kevin, these were not the paths he envisioned for himself in the future.

Especially considering that Kevin had always been a passionate car enthusiast. As a child, he would often stand by the highway, mesmerized by the different makes and models of cars that passed by. He imagined himself behind the wheel of a powerful car, like something Rick Ross would drive. Neither of those two jobs, though, seemed to offer the lifestyle or satisfaction he dreamed of.

Driven by his love for cars, he chose to turn his passion into a lucrative pursuit by becoming a car salesman. With nothing but his charm and smooth words, Kevin approached a car dealership owner and managed to persuade him of his exceptional sales abilities!

And just like that, he landed a job at the rapidly expanding Insignia Motors on Ngong Road. With no connections or clientele to rely on, he recognized that his greatest tool was social media, which was beginning to take off in 2013. So, he decided to harness its full potential.

He set up a Facebook page for the company and proudly shared his first car sale in July 2013, showcasing himself as a confident intern. The car he was selling was a sleek Mini Cooper, and he made sure to dress the part, looking every bit the professional businessman.

With unwavering faith in the bigger picture, he poured his heart and soul into his journey, letting time work its magic. Each day began with him rising, heading to the yard, and snapping photos. Whether it was motorcycles or cars, anything that caught his eye found its way onto his feed, as he cast his wide net, hoping to reel in a catch.

But as with every action, there was a ripple effect. His relentless posting eventually grabbed the attention of a buyer, who made Kevin’s first sale possible, earning him his first commission. That money? It gave him the freedom to rent his own place, finally escaping the watchful gaze of his uncle.

It wasn’t just his living situation that changed—his wardrobe transformed too. Gone was the country boy from Kisii; in his place stood a young hippie, rocking the same trendy brands that Migos had been sporting back in 2014.

On top of that, he discovered that tea and soda weren't the only beverages in the world, despite what his SDA mom had taught him. So, with any spare cash he earned, he made sure to indulge, often treating himself to drinks that would leave a mark on his liver.

Money was flowing so freely that it couldn’t even fit in his wallet, and he made sure everyone within sight knew it. As he put it himself, he was now "Young & Rich," so making more cash was never a concern.