Across finance, telecommunications, insurance, tourism, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, several leaders stood out for delivering strong results, shaping policy conversations, and expanding access to services.
These ten executives influenced Kenya’s economic direction through profits, innovation, job creation, and long-term impact beyond the boardroom.
These ten executives influenced Kenya’s economic direction through profits, innovation, job creation, and long-term impact beyond the boardroom.
1. Peter Ndegwa — Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom
Peter Ndegwa continues to lead Kenya’s most valuable company and a central pillar of the economy. Under his leadership, Safaricom strengthened its dominance in mobile data and mobile money while expanding regional operations.
For the half-year ending September 2025, Safaricom posted a record net profit of KSh42.8 billion, a 52 per cent increase and its strongest performance since listing on the NSE.
Peter Ndegwa continues to lead Kenya’s most valuable company and a central pillar of the economy. Under his leadership, Safaricom strengthened its dominance in mobile data and mobile money while expanding regional operations.
For the half-year ending September 2025, Safaricom posted a record net profit of KSh42.8 billion, a 52 per cent increase and its strongest performance since listing on the NSE.
Growth was driven by mobile data and M-Pesa revenues in Kenya, while losses in Ethiopia narrowed as the market matured.
Ndegwa has positioned Safaricom as both a commercial powerhouse and a key voice in national digital policy and financial inclusion.
Ndegwa has positioned Safaricom as both a commercial powerhouse and a key voice in national digital policy and financial inclusion.
2. Paul Russo — Group Chief Executive Officer, KCB Group
Paul Russo steered KCB Group through a challenging economic environment marked by high credit risk and rising costs. Despite this, the group recorded a profit after tax of KSh47.3 billion for the nine months to September 2025.
Total assets rose to KSh2.04 trillion, supported by diversified income and disciplined cost management.
Paul Russo steered KCB Group through a challenging economic environment marked by high credit risk and rising costs. Despite this, the group recorded a profit after tax of KSh47.3 billion for the nine months to September 2025.
Total assets rose to KSh2.04 trillion, supported by diversified income and disciplined cost management.
Russo’s leadership earned continental recognition when he was named African Business Leader of the Year, reflecting his focus on sustainability, digital banking, and regional growth across seven countries.
3. James Mwangi — Managing Director and CEO, Equity Group Holdings
James Mwangi remains one of the most influential voices in African banking. In 2025, Equity Group posted a 32 per cent rise in profit after tax to KSh54.1 billion, driven by regional subsidiaries, MSME lending, and expansion into insurance.
Equity Bank Kenya alone recorded a 51 per cent profit increase, while the group disbursed nearly half of all MSME loans in the country. Mwangi’s leadership blends commercial success with social impact, including major investments in education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
James Mwangi remains one of the most influential voices in African banking. In 2025, Equity Group posted a 32 per cent rise in profit after tax to KSh54.1 billion, driven by regional subsidiaries, MSME lending, and expansion into insurance.
Equity Bank Kenya alone recorded a 51 per cent profit increase, while the group disbursed nearly half of all MSME loans in the country. Mwangi’s leadership blends commercial success with social impact, including major investments in education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
4. Tom Gitogo — Chief Executive Officer, Britam Holdings
Tom Gitogo leads Britam Holdings, a diversified insurance and investment group operating across seven African markets. In the first half of 2025, Britam posted a profit before tax of KSh2.5 billion, supported by growth in insurance revenue and investment income.
With over three decades of experience, Gitogo has driven innovation in insurance products and risk management. His election as chairman of the Association of Kenya Insurers placed him at the centre of sector reforms, including digital transformation and climate risk planning.
Tom Gitogo leads Britam Holdings, a diversified insurance and investment group operating across seven African markets. In the first half of 2025, Britam posted a profit before tax of KSh2.5 billion, supported by growth in insurance revenue and investment income.
With over three decades of experience, Gitogo has driven innovation in insurance products and risk management. His election as chairman of the Association of Kenya Insurers placed him at the centre of sector reforms, including digital transformation and climate risk planning.
5. Carole Kariuki — Chief Executive Officer, KEPSA
Carole Kariuki heads the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the country’s most influential business lobby.
Carole Kariuki heads the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the country’s most influential business lobby.
Under her leadership, KEPSA has become a central platform for public–private dialogue, shaping economic policy and regulatory reform.
Kariuki works closely with government, investors, and industry groups to support entrepreneurship, reduce regulatory barriers, and align private sector priorities with national development goals. Her influence extends through multiple boards and advisory bodies.
Kariuki works closely with government, investors, and industry groups to support entrepreneurship, reduce regulatory barriers, and align private sector priorities with national development goals. Her influence extends through multiple boards and advisory bodies.
6. June Chepkemei — Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board
June Chepkemei earned continental recognition in 2025 as one of Africa’s 50 Most Influential CEOs. At the Kenya Tourism Board, she has repositioned Kenya’s tourism strategy through targeted marketing and product diversification.
Her initiatives promote adventure tourism, sustainable travel, and diaspora-driven visitation. Campaigns such as Ziara Kenya have helped broaden tourism beyond traditional safari markets while creating opportunities for local communities.
June Chepkemei earned continental recognition in 2025 as one of Africa’s 50 Most Influential CEOs. At the Kenya Tourism Board, she has repositioned Kenya’s tourism strategy through targeted marketing and product diversification.
Her initiatives promote adventure tourism, sustainable travel, and diaspora-driven visitation. Campaigns such as Ziara Kenya have helped broaden tourism beyond traditional safari markets while creating opportunities for local communities.
7. Nancy Njau — Chief Executive Officer, Family Bank
Nancy Njau has strengthened Family Bank’s position as a leading retail and SME-focused lender. For the nine months to September 2025, the bank posted a 55.8 per cent increase in profit after tax to KSh3.5 billion.
Customer deposits and lending grew steadily, while digital transactions accounted for more than 90 per cent of activity. Njau’s leadership has focused on financial access, community banking, and technology-driven convenience.
Nancy Njau has strengthened Family Bank’s position as a leading retail and SME-focused lender. For the nine months to September 2025, the bank posted a 55.8 per cent increase in profit after tax to KSh3.5 billion.
Customer deposits and lending grew steadily, while digital transactions accounted for more than 90 per cent of activity. Njau’s leadership has focused on financial access, community banking, and technology-driven convenience.
8. Julius Kipngetich — Chief Executive Officer, Jubilee Holdings
Julius Kipngetich leads Jubilee Holdings, one of East Africa’s largest insurance and investment groups. In 2025, the company recorded a 22 per cent rise in half-year net profit to KSh3.1 billion.
Investor confidence remained strong, with Jubilee’s share price rising sharply on the NSE. Kipngetich has championed digital tools for agents, financial literacy programmes, and operational efficiency across regional markets.
Julius Kipngetich leads Jubilee Holdings, one of East Africa’s largest insurance and investment groups. In 2025, the company recorded a 22 per cent rise in half-year net profit to KSh3.1 billion.
Investor confidence remained strong, with Jubilee’s share price rising sharply on the NSE. Kipngetich has championed digital tools for agents, financial literacy programmes, and operational efficiency across regional markets.
9. Esther Muchemi — Chief Executive Officer, Samchi Group
Esther Muchemi is a pioneer of Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem and one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs. She founded Samchi Telecom in 2000, Kenya’s first M-Pesa agency, and built it into a diversified group spanning telecoms, microfinance, hospitality, real estate, and ICT.
Her businesses employ thousands and support local economies. Muchemi is also a mentor, author, and advocate for women in business, earning both local and international recognition for her leadership.
Esther Muchemi is a pioneer of Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem and one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs. She founded Samchi Telecom in 2000, Kenya’s first M-Pesa agency, and built it into a diversified group spanning telecoms, microfinance, hospitality, real estate, and ICT.
Her businesses employ thousands and support local economies. Muchemi is also a mentor, author, and advocate for women in business, earning both local and international recognition for her leadership.
10. Flora Mutahi — Chief Executive Officer, Melvin Marsh International
Flora Mutahi leads Melvin Marsh International, Kenya’s largest producer of flavoured teas under the Melvins brand. She pioneered value-added tea products, helping Kenya move beyond bulk exports into branded consumer goods.
In 2025, the company expanded its specialty tea range while supporting local farmers through sustainable sourcing. Mutahi is also a vocal advocate for women in manufacturing and export-focused industrial growth.
Flora Mutahi leads Melvin Marsh International, Kenya’s largest producer of flavoured teas under the Melvins brand. She pioneered value-added tea products, helping Kenya move beyond bulk exports into branded consumer goods.
In 2025, the company expanded its specialty tea range while supporting local farmers through sustainable sourcing. Mutahi is also a vocal advocate for women in manufacturing and export-focused industrial growth.
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