Just Who is David Lang'at (DL)?

 DP Ruto and David Lang'at launch AEZ, investors watch. Pic courtesy: CN News.

With his signature wide smile he exchanges pleasantries with virtually everyone at the luncheon. He just launched a 2 billion dollar project under his DL Group conglomerate. The Kenya’s 1^st Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will sit on 2000 acre piece of land. Around him are the country’s top politicians, local and foreign billionaires. David Bett Lang’at or DL as he is commonly known has a big name unfitting his simple nature. Behind the success in business is a man who has lived the phrase “From grass to grace.” 
 Brought up in the sleepy village of Koilot in Nandi County, David Lang’at made his first shilling selling eggs along the green Koisagat Tea Estate, an estate he now proudly owns. His entrepreneurial journey began in Mombasa around 1985 to apply a scholarship at the Mombasa Polytechnic, a journey where he failed to secure the scholarship. In a strange land where he only owned a few pairs of clothes and the zeal to succeed, DL embarked in a job hunting mission where he secured one at the Kenya Ports Authority. Through his salary DL managed to save Ksh2000 which he invested in a friend’s charcoal business. Over time with well thought investments, DL money gradually grew to giant companies they are today. One of DL’s business philosophies which happen to be from billionaire Buffet is “Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when others are fearful.” His aggressiveness and ability to make calculated risks made DL grow his business empire to what is now the DL Group.

The DL Group

By any measure David Lang’at is a successful entrepreneur, the DL conglomerate consist of Ideal Real Estate Company, The Nyali Centre, DL Furniture Company, the Sunrise Hotel, DL Food and Beverages Company, Koisagat Tea Estate, safety and security company, livestock among others.

Africa Economic Zone

In what is seen as a shift to social business strategy, DL has been reinventing his businesses to adopt the new strategy. His Koisagat Tea Estate has an ultra-modern referral hospital where workers receive free treatment, the facility also serves people living close to the estate. The recently launched Africa Economic Zone comprises of an Industry Park, Olympic City and Science and Technology Hub. The project already has attracted Chinese, Japanese and World Bank Group partners. The project is expected to provide over 40,000 direct jobs and over 150,000 more indirect jobs.

Despite all the successes, DL remains to be a humble man devoted to the church. In 2016 Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry named David Lang’at as Mombasa’s best business leader. Mount Kenya University also awarded DL with honorary degree for his exemplary success in business.  Together with his wife, the couple is blessed with five children. Undoubtedly David Lang’at continues to conquer greater heights setting even higher standards.