Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home, a leading luxury funeral service provider in Kenya, began as a modest side hustle by Benjamin Kibiku, evolving from a single second-hand pick-up truck to a state-of-the-art facility accommodating up to 100 bodies.

• The business started in late 1988 when Kibiku secured a SACCO loan of Ksh70,000 to purchase and convert a used pick-up into his first hearse.
• Founder Benjamin Kibiku initially struggled to secure funding, with banks skeptical of loaning for the business model.
• One notable early marketing tactic involved Kibiku attending burial meetings, pretending to know the deceased, and offering his hearse for free with advertising flyers.
• The first modern facility was constructed between 2004 and 2007 on land acquired along Mbagathi Way (now Raila Odinga Way).
• Today, Montezuma Monalisa offers comprehensive funeral services, including luxury vehicle transport, exhumation services, and has three branches, including locations on Thika Road and in Machakos.