Heshan De Silva: Fraud Once Referred to as Kenya’s Youngest Billionaire

Heshan De Silva: Fraud Once Referred to as Kenya’s Youngest Billionaire

Appearing on K24’s Young Rich show in September 2013, Heshan detailed how he built an empire worth more than a billion from Ksh10,000. In the interview, the young entrepreneur explained his struggles with alcohol, attempted suicide, and getting his life back on track.

At the age of 25, he had faced his fair share of tribulations and still managed to rise to the pinnacles of success. The K24 interview would be followed up by several others in different media houses.

His acumen earned him a mention among the Top 10 African Influencers in 2013 and Forbes’ 2014 List of Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs and Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30.

Two years later, however, holes would appear in his story as some dubbed him a fraud.

Early Life

Heshan grew up in a Christian family and had a fairly normal childhood. His parents were firm believers in education affording him the privilege to study in Banda School followed by Rosslyn Academy. Naturally gifted, he managed to score good grades despite not putting much effort into academia.

At the age of 16, he graduated from high school and proceeded to the University of Miami in Florida, USA.

The culture shock he encountered was enormous. It was nothing compared to his sheltered upbringing as partying, alcohol and drugs were the order of the day for university students. He soon realized he could trade his intelligence for money. Most students who wanted a grade C overall in their examinations would pay him to write their essays and in a day he would make up to 600 bucks. He started dressing flamboyantly and...