Success isn’t what it used to be. For today’s young entrepreneurs in Kenya, it’s about taking control early, taking big risks, and making an impact fast. Ronald Karauri’s story as the CEO of SportPesa, Kenya’s headline-grabbing sports betting platform, is that of ambition and grit, for a generation unwilling to wait for traditional “retirement” achievement.
Young Kenyans are increasingly stepping off well-worn paths, leaving behind traditional employment to explore technology, fashion, and motorsports. Many seek financial freedom and creative control in their 30s rather than waiting for a distant finish line. As one of Kenya’s most visible young business leaders, Karauri has shown that high risks can lead to high rewards—but not without hurdles and sacrifices.
Ronald Karauri’s Rise and rise
Karauri’s journey began quietly in Nairobi. Growing up, he was bright and focused, securing a place at Harambee Primary School, then earning his spot at Mang’u High School, one of the country’s top schools. He dreamed big and eventually landed a spot at the University of Nairobi to study engineering. However, engineering soon proved to be less than he’d imagined. Instead, a growing interest in aviation started to take hold, and he began to think about becoming a pilot.
His father, like most parents, balked at the idea of abandoning a stable path for an expensive, uncertain one. Yet Karauri pushed forward, defying the family’s wishes to pursue a dream that would eventually lead him to a job as a captain at Kenya Airways.
Flying high in his aviation career didn’t quench his curiosity about other ventures, though. Spending downtime in casinos, Karauri developed a love for poker and found himself in the company of risk-takers and entrepreneurs. Casual chats led to big ideas, and one of them—a Kenyan-based sports betting platform—struck a chord. Though betting was still new to most Kenyans, and the sector wasn’t exactly a safe bet, Karauri decided to explore the concept further. He soon realized this was the opportunity he’d been waiting for.
Sportpesa
In a bold move, he sold a piece of land in Nairobi’s affluent Karen area—a piece he’d purchased for KES2 million and managed to sell for KES30 million—to raise the capital needed for his new venture. He approached friends, hoping they’d join him, but most felt it was far too risky. Betting as an industry was still largely confined to casinos, and there was no guarantee the idea would gain traction. Undeterred, Karauri pushed on, channeling his savings into SportPesa alongside a few casino partners willing to take a chance on the budding venture.
Karauri and his team were committed, and SportPesa quickly took off, becoming not only a profitable business but a cultural force. Beyond its popularity as a betting platform, SportPesa transformed into a sponsor of Kenyan sports. Karauri was passionate about lifting local talent, from footballers and rugby players to boxers like Fatuma Zarika, whom he personally championed. Under Karauri’s leadership, SportPesa helped transform how Kenyans saw sports, blending entertainment with a new source of local pride.
But success rarely comes without pushback. In 2019, SportPesa’s operations hit a wall when the Kenyan government cracked down on betting companies over alleged tax compliance issues. Despite Karauri’s insistence that the company had followed the letter of the law, SportPesa’s license was suspended indefinitely. The shutdown affected thousands, including employees and young athletes who had come to rely on the company’s sponsorships.
Hurdles
Even today, SportPesa’s legal entanglements remain unresolved, and its operations have yet to resume in Kenya. For Karauri, the situation has been deeply frustrating. “Our goal was to see Kenya reach the World Cup, to see Zarika bring home international titles, to take our rugby to new heights,” he told comedian MC Jessy in an interview. “It hurts that we couldn’t fulfill all of that, but I hope the work we did lays a foundation for whoever comes next.”
Even as SportPesa awaits a new chapter, Karauri hasn’t given up on the sports and causes he’s passionate about. He continues to support athletes like Zarika and is vocal about the potential for Kenyan sports on the global stage. In many ways, he’s become a symbol of Kenya’s new business spirit: fearless, determined, and driven by a sense of purpose beyond profit.
Karauri’s story captures the ethos of a generation that values success not just in wealth but in impact. By following an unpredictable path from engineering to aviation to entrepreneurship, he’s shown young Kenyans that there are many ways to reach the top—if you’re willing to bet on yourself.
Ronald Karauri’s Political jouney
In 2022, he ran for parliament, securing a seat representing the Kasarani constituency in Nairobi. He hopes to address the very obstacles he encountered as a business leader, advocating for policies that would support Kenya’s young entrepreneurs and simplify regulations for companies aiming to invest in the country.
As a newly elected MP, Karauri brings an entrepreneurial perspective to Kenyan politics. He’s vocal about the need for job creation, especially for young people, and champions policies that would foster a favorable business climate. Many of his constituents see him as a breath of fresh air—someone who has experienced both the highs and lows of running a business in Kenya and who genuinely wants to remove barriers that stymie young people’s ambitions.
In his new role, Karauri hopes to make meaningful changes. He’s pushing for streamlined tax policies and investment in local sports, aiming to put more Kenyan athletes on the world stage and create a robust sports industry that can employ thousands. And he hasn’t forgotten about SportPesa, which remains entangled in government red tape. Karauri is committed to advocating for policies that clarify the tax and regulatory requirements for betting companies, hoping that SportPesa or similar ventures can once again contribute to Kenya’s economy and sports culture.
