Many entrepreneurs begin their journeys from modest backgrounds, overcoming numerous challenges to build successful careers and businesses.
Their stories of resilience and perseverance serve as powerful examples of what can be achieved through hard work and determination.
Such is the journey of Victor Omollo, co-founder of Icon Properties Ltd., who, despite facing early hardships and the loss of his parents, rose to establish one of Kenya’s prominent real estate companies.
Victor was born in a modest village in Busia County, where his early life was filled with hardship.
Following the loss of his parents, he faced many challenges. He recalls attending school barefoot, wearing torn uniforms, and constantly feeling the weight of his financial struggles.
These hardships made him doubt his ability to succeed academically, especially after the passing of his parents, which left him feeling as though his future had already been defined by failure.
However, Victor’s life took a turn when an uncle stepped in to support him and his siblings. This act of kindness gave them a second chance at education, rekindling hope in a seemingly bleak situation.
Victor’s academic journey was far from smooth, especially around the time he was preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). The loss of his parents shortly before the exams affected his performance, and he didn’t expect to proceed to secondary school.
Despite this, his uncle encouraged him to enroll in a nearby secondary school.
Determined to improve, Victor chose to repeat Class 8 and retake the KCPE, confident that he could do better.
To the surprise of many, Victor achieved a top ranking in his class and emerged as the third-best student in his KCPE results.
Reflecting on his achievement, he said, “When I ranked in the top three in my exams, less than a year after being at the bottom 20 in a class of over 80 pupils, I realized that anything was possible. I dedicated more time to studying, aiming to consistently be in the top five, which eventually secured me a spot to continue my high school education.”
In high school, Victor’s commitment to excellence continued. His hard work paid off when he scored an impressive A- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), making him one of the top students in Busia County.
This academic success earned him admission to Kenyatta University, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree.
After graduating, Victor began his career as a medical technologist at Pathologists Lancet Kenya in 2011.
Starting as an intern, he quickly climbed the ranks, eventually being entrusted with establishing a Lancet laboratory in Tanzania.
His successful work there equipped him with invaluable skills and insights that he would later apply to his entrepreneurial ventures.
Upon his return to Kenya, Victor felt a strong desire to start his own business. Together with his wife, Winnie Maina, he ventured into private enterprise, initially focusing on horticulture farming.
Encouraged by positive feedback and growing success, the couple decided to leave formal employment in 2015 to dedicate themselves fully to their business ambitions.
Their first major venture, Petal Hygiene and Sanitation Services Ltd., focused on providing essential cleaning and sanitation solutions to clients across Kenya.
After gaining significant business experience, they decided to pursue their shared passion for real estate, driven by the belief that land investment offers long-term financial security and growth.
This passion led to the founding of Icon Properties Ltd., established in 2019 and officially launching its operations in 2021.
The company now boasts an array of land projects across Nairobi’s metropolitan areas, with properties in sought-after locations like Ngong and Juja.
Icon Properties focuses on providing accessible land investment solutions, promoting land ownership as a means to financial empowerment and stability.
Since its inception, Icon Properties has successfully delivered over 100 title deeds to individuals, groups, and investment clubs, helping to create a financially secure community of property owners.
