Businessman Simon Kabu has willingly granted an interview to Elijah, a young interviewer behind the channel ‘Young Millionaire Talks’, after the Gen Z content creator approached him as he alighted from his car.
In a video shared by Elijah on TikTok on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Kabu is seen stepping out of his vehicle before coming face to face with the interviewer, who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak to him.
After initially asking Elijah to identify himself, the Bonfire Adventures founder recognised the young man and warmly welcomed him, agreeing to share insights into his entrepreneurial journey.
“Who are you? Oh, the Young Millionaire! How are you? I am used to interviews, so let us talk,” Kabu said as he welcomed Elijah.
The encounter comes days after Elijah attracted attention online when media personality Jeff Koinange brushed him off as he attempted to interview him during a Nairobi summit.
From conductor to millionaire
During the interview, Kabu opened up about the humble beginnings of his entrepreneurial journey, revealing that he once worked as a matatu conductor in Githurai 44 before venturing into business.
He explained that his experience in the transport sector helped shape his entrepreneurial instincts before he moved into the hospitality industry, where he built a career in tour and travel.
Kabu also disclosed that his interest in business started while he was still at university, when he sold basic commodities before venturing into the matatu business.
“I became a millionaire, and I started from very far. I was working as a conductor way back in Githurai 44. I later ventured into the hospitality business, particularly tour and travel, and it is a passion for me. It is a business I can do even when I am not being paid,” Kabu said.
The businessman added that his entrepreneurial journey has been marked by significant risks and painful financial setbacks, including a period when he lost Ksh210 million. He said the loss did not bring his business ambitions to an end, explaining that he had to find a way to recover and rebuild.
Kabu urged aspiring entrepreneurs to understand that business requires more than ambition, pointing to discipline, hard work, persistence, passion and prayer as important ingredients for long-term success.
“I started doing business way back, even while I was at university, when I was selling bread and sugar. After that, I ventured into the matatu business. I am a very big risk-taker, and I have lost money, too. I lost Ksh210 million, and I had to bounce back,” he said.
Having spent 17 years in the hospitality industry, Kabu acknowledged that running a business can be emotionally demanding, with moments when even experienced entrepreneurs question whether they should continue.
He said his determination to keep going has been strengthened by the belief that abandoning his business would leave him wondering who else would take up the challenge. His message to young entrepreneurs was that setbacks should not automatically be treated as reasons to give up.
“My message to entrepreneurs is that when you are in business, you need to be very disciplined. Working hard is important, as are persistence and passion, and you need to pray. I have been in the hospitality business for 17 years. There are days when I feel like giving up, but I tell myself that if it is not me who is going to do this business, then who will?” Kabu said.
