MARCH - APRIL, 2021 1,000/= 20,000/= 25,000/=

GOVERNANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE ECONOMIC COST OF CORRUPTION IN KENYA DIPLOMACY: KENYA - SOMALIA MARITIME BOUNDARY TIFF ICT: INTERNET FREEDOM: WHY ACCESS IS BECOMING A HUMAN RIGHT ECONOMY: INDEPENDENCE IS AT THE HEART OF THE AFDB’S ABILITY TO BE EFFECTIVE

TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL CHAIRS OF BOARD 2021 SURVEY

#1 JOHN NGUMI

CHAIR OF THE BOARD INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

MARCH - APRIL 2021 Vol. 16, No 156 Selection criteria for Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business NEWS FEATURE OPINION We were interested in selecting chairs of boards who are not only role models for good From the editor: It’s time to step Shutting down the internet doesn’t corporate governance and act as champions for the cause, right up to advocating such good practices through advocacy and communications in public forums. 4 up, free press needs allies 94 work – but governments keep doing it 124

NOMINEES Flora Wanjiru Mutahi - Chair of Journalism needs an audience BEYOND BUSINESS 6 John Ngumi - Chair of Board: Board: Anti-Counterfeit Authority to survive, but isn’t sure Industrial & Commercial Since taking the position of the chair of the how to earn its loyalty Development Corporation ACA, Flora has been at the forefront As the news industry struggles to of instilling a service mentality within recapture this increasingly distant financial 12 Rita Kavashe - Chair of Board: the authority. To make the authority foothold, many within it are certain that a service-oriented government Kenya Roads Board the first step forward is to no longer agency in the 21st century. 74 take their audiences for granted. 16 Amb. Dennis Awori -Chair of board 98 and Country delegate of CFAO Carole Kariuki Karuga - Chair NEWS FEATURE OPINION 126 Independence is 20 Nicholas Nesbitt, OGW - of Board: Special Economic at the heart of the AfDB’s Chair of Board: Kepsa Zones Authority 102 Data remains an expensive 120 Antibiotic resistance: ability to be effective According to Carole, there are a number of luxury in but free Public awareness campaigns 24 Isaac Awuondo - Chair of very compelling reasons to invest in Kenya, Board: NCBA Group among these, Carole points out, is the fact internet may not come free might not work RESEARCH that Kenya is a strategic location and a Michael Joseph - Chair of Board: 26 gateway to East and Central African SPECIAL FEATURE 122 How to achieve sustainable and Plc region bordering the Indian Ocean. clean water for everyone 128 How community 54 has contributed to building 32 Jane Karuku, MGH - Chair of 104 Internet freedom: Why access 124 Shutting down the internet doesn’t peace: a Kenyan case study Board: Vision 2030 Delivery 62 Dr. Joseph Barrage Wanjui CBS - Chair 80 Rita Okuthe - Chair of Board: is becoming a human right work – but governments keep doing it Kenya Pipeline Company Plc 36 James Ndegwa - Chair of Board: of Board: UAP Old Mutual Group 108 Here’s why some people are willing Capital Markets Authority 66 Vivienne Yeda - Chair of Board: KPLC 84 Patricia Ithau - Chair of to challenge bullying, corruption and LAST WORD Board: Vivo Activewear LLC 40 Mugo Kibati - Chair of Board: Lake 70 Kiprono Kittony - Chair of Board: NSE bad behaviour, even at personal risk Turkana Wind Power Project (LTWP) Use of mobile money 86 Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana - Chair The World ranks Kenya as a country 42 Mike Eldon - Chair of 72 General Rtd Samson Mwathethe of Board: Kenya Ports Authority SECTOR REVIEW with the highest user of Mobile money Board:Occidental Insurance Company - Chair of Board: KENGEN Transactions in sub-Saharan Africa. “Kenya 90 Mucai Kunyiha - Chair of 110 Is it good for you to be good? is the highest user of mobile phones for 46 Martin Luke Oduor-Otieno 78 Nicholas Nganga - Chair Board: Kenya Association money transactions in the sub-Saharan of Board: kakuzi Plc Africa region,” reads a tweet from - Chair of Board:EABL of Manufacturers 112 Understanding the economic World Bank. Let us strive to increase women’s 130 50 Stephen K. Kirogo, FPRSK, cost of corruption in Kenya participation in industry MGH - Chair of Board: Public CEO OF THE MONTH MOST By increasing the participation of women Service Commission IMPACTING BUSINESS COMMENTARY in industry we, directly and indirectly, seek to achieve our overall economic 52 Jaswinder (Jas) Bedi, EBS, MBS Geoffrey Odundo - CEO NSE goals in terms of increasing employment Kenya illustrates both the promise - Chair of Board: Kenya Export Despite the challenges COVID-19 114 opportunities, advancing skills and Promotion and Branding Agency pandemic has caused in the market, as well as the Pitfalls of devolution innovation and providing them with the NSE management is working to financial security for themselves and their 58 Dr. Wilfred David Kiboro ensure it provides value to shareholders, families, which results in better living 116 Kenya - Somalia conditions for the entire community. - Chair of Board: Nation investors and the general public. 92 maritime boundary tiff 114 Media Group Chairman

2 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 3 Chair of Board: Vivo Activewear LLC ANNIVESARY EDITION Publisher’s Note

Selection criteria for Top 25 For all 25 we bore in mind their role as leaders of boards rather Most Influential Chair of than of management. The chair’s position, in addition to providing Board Impacting Business oversight, requires chairpersons to be champions, coaches and PUBLISHER: Dr. Hanningtone Gaya ambassadors. [email protected] We were interested in selecting chairs of boards who are not only 0722 742287 role models for good corporate governance and act as champions EDITOR: for the cause, right up to advocating such good practices through Martin O’Neil advocacy and communications in public forums. CONTRIBUTORS: Cathy Mputhia Mike Eldon Scott Bellows Lennox Yieke Anzetse Were to fulfil it. To be effective, chairs must Jeff Aludo recognize that they are not commanders PUBLISHED BY: but facilitators. Their role is to create the The Knowledge Warehouse conditions under which the directors can 020 26504 937 have productive group discussions. 0722 742 287 But, first things first. There is no short- DESIGN & LAYOUT: age of chairs in this country who qualify For all 25 we bore in mind their role as women who have and continue to excel at our expectation is that you will find these Fontana Creations for inclusion in this list of the 25 most leaders of boards rather than of manage- communicating such lofty aspirations and 25 stories inspiring, differently created and MIS & ADMINISTRATION: influential. The project team handling this ment. The chair’s position, in addition to how to fulfill them to broader audiences, told by a team of writers relying on submis- Marilene Mercy 0722 420 493 assignment decided to restrict the number providing oversight, requires chairpersons mainly through the media, seminars and in sions, research and on occasions personal to one that coincides with this magazine’s to be champions, coaches and ambassa- conferences. inputs, as each of these men and women are BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: DR HANNINGTONE GAYA 25th anniversary – while we hope to recog- dors. They must be visionaries, strategic Not surprisingly, a good proportion of distinctly different. Martin O’Neil CEO - The Knowledge Warehouse Kenya nize more in issues to come. thinkers and thought leaders, both within our Top 25 chairpersons spend significant Other than the ranking, which we know 0721 989 263 In fact, this issue reintroduces the CEO their sector and much more generally in time volunteering their services on a pro is extremely unpopular, we hope and trust ADVERTISING: orrowing heavily from an article of the Month with Geoffrey Odundo of the our society. In these days of Volatility, bono basis – to business member organi- that the content and some revelations, like Dr. Hanningtone Gaya paraphrased from a version that Securities Exchange (NSE) walk- Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity zations, professional associations, service that on the very elaborate and lengthy pro- [email protected] appeared in the March–April 2018 ing away with this one. (VUCA) they must lead organizations to be organizations such as Rotary, Lions, envi- cess of recruiting Peter Ndegwa as the first 0722 742287 issue (pp.96–105) of Harvard How did we go about selecting those innovative and agile, and they must be so ronmental conservation, wildlife protection Kenyan CEO of Safaricom PLC, will stimu- DISTRIBUTED BY: BBusiness Review, an effective chair’s main we did include here? We certainly did themselves. and vulnerable community organizations, late you to reflect on your board leadership Nation Marketing & Publishing A Division of role is to provide leadership to the board of not confine ourselves to easily measurable Perhaps most importantly they must and NGOs. attributes, aspirations and probably inform P.O. Box 49010-00100 Nairobi directors, not the organization he/she leads. indicators such as size of the organization be responsible leaders, role models for Their personal, professional and orga- your own CEO succession planning. Tel: 020 3288588 / 8574 This style of chair enables boards to func- or growth of revenue or profits. Rather, we healthy organizational values. They must nizational track records much speak for For the CEOs who are also chair of CONTENT: tion as the highest decision-making body in looked at a much broader range of attri- have visible integrity, men and women who themselves, and this consistently over time. other boards, the content is to urge you to Produced under common licence the organization. butes, ones that have led to these men and nurture the building of sustainable insti- As Mugo Kibati says, ‘if they are engineers, use professional coaches to unlearn your from The Conversation A respondent in one survey conducted women to be selected for the influential tutions where all stakeholders are treated they ought to be proud of the roads they previous traits and usher you into even BusinessMonthly during one of the INSEAD training pro- roles they are currently playing, and indeed fairly. And their organizations must be led have built’. They must be excellent at chair- more effective chairs of boards as you deal grammes, quoted in this article had this ones they have been and continue to apply by a sense of purpose, one that is uplifting ing the board meetings and seeing their with the duality of your different roles. http://media7kenya.com to say: “The chair is responsible for and elsewhere. and of benefit to the communities in which boards add value; and their relationships Our research partner was TIFA whose represents the board, while the CEO is Some are veterans who have been they operate. with their CEOs must be good while main- CEO, Margaret (Maggie) Ireri, chaired the responsible for and is the public face of the prominent for long and have now begun We were interested in selecting chairs tain constructive tension. selection panel. company.” This clear and very crucial dis- phasing themselves out; others are yet to of boards who are not only role models No doubt some others would have We look forward to hearing your reac- tinction makes the chair’s job very different reach their peak influence; while most are for good corporate governance and act reached different conclusions, and that seats tions to what we have published here, as from the CEO’s, and it calls for specific in their prime right now. Some are men and as champions for the cause, right up to well with us. We followed these criteria in we continue the discourse on the making skills and practices by the chairs of boards. some are women – and the women in the advocating such good practices through a qualitative analysis and peer reviewed to of a good chair of board with influence that A boards responsibility is collective, list are there neither because of nor despite advocacy and communications in public triangulate our best judgment criteria to makes an impact beyond your personal and the chair’s job is to enable the board being women. forums. Those selected have been men and select and to rank as we did. Either way, space and into the wider environment. ©THEKNOWLEDGEWAREHOUSE 2021

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uring a 35-year banking career, John Ngumi established him- self as East Africa’s foremost corporate and investment Dbanker and one of Africa’s most bril- liant financial executives, swimming in the same league as the likes of Tidjane #1 Thiam, formerly CEO of Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second largest bank and a global icon. JN as he is mostly referred John Ngumi to, built a client base spanning local CHAIR OF BOARD: INDUSTRIAL and international/global corporate with & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT a regional presence, state-owned enter- CORPORATION prises (SOEs), sovereigns, and groups. As he cut his teeth in exempla- ry corporate leadership, John Ngumi has played pivotal roles in developing regional capital markets, in setting the regulatory frameworks underpinning these markets, and in persuading region- al governments to turn to local resource financings by other countries); the Kenya African entity, a USD 300 million issue mobilisation to finance budgets. Government’s first and so far only bond for TDB Bank (2010); Kenya’s second John’s banking career started out at issue in New York, a USD 29m issue to ever syndicated in the Euromarkets, London’s National Westminster Bank, refinance Kenya’s then military debt to for USD 600m (2012); and Kenya’s first which he joined as a trainee in 1980 after the US (1989); the first ever listed corpo- ever sovereign Eurobond issue, for USD coming down from St Peter’s College, rate bond issue in Kenya, the KES 820 2 billion (2014). Oxford University with a 1st Class million East African Development Bank John’s full deal list is very long Honours degree in Philosophy, Politics bond (1987); the landmark KES 4 bil- and very impressive, with transactions and Economics. lion Safaricom bond issue that enabled totalling USD 8 billion in debt and On his return to Kenya in 1983, he that fledgling company to finance its equity markets. He also established from worked for Grindlays Bank, , initial rollout (2001); the scratch Standard Bank’s market-leading Barclays Bank and Stanbic Bank/ first ever bond issue for a microfinance investment banking division. Standard Bank of . He led entity in Africa, KES 500 million for In addition to investment banking, path-breaking transactions in diverse Faulu Kenya, which was also the sec- John has played key roles in other aspects sectors: , cement, ond ever such issue worldwide (2005); of the development of the region’s capital real estate, energy, financial services, Tanzania’s first ever international sover- markets. His involvement in the develop- agribusiness, manufacturing, aviation, eign loan, for USD 250 million (2010); ment of the pension fund management energy, power and infrastructure, and the first Eurobond issue ever for an East sector is particularly noteworthy. At pioneered many of the financing tech- Loita, he established and led the region’s niques currently in use in East Africa. first true asset management firm, Loita In the early 1990s, John co-found- Asset Management, and was also the ed one of Africa’s first locally owned John’s first stint as a public sector only private sector representative of the investment , Loita Capital Partners board chairman was in 2012, team that established the Retirement Group, whose impact triggered the emer- when then President Mwai Kibaki Benefits Authority, which went on to gence of many of today’s players in appointed him inaugural chairman oversee the development of the industry investment banking and asset manage- at the Konza Technopolis from a tiny backwater into the pension ment. Development Authority, the funds’ present value in excess of USD John’s notable transactions include 10 billion. initiating the Coffee Board of Kenya’s spearhead of Kenya’s bid to build Other key roles played by John since annual offshore financings in the 1980s an African Silicon Savannah. 1984 include his leading contribution in (the prototype for offshore commodity developing capital markets regula-

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tions; co-founding the Kenyan Sector Alliance (KEPSA) WhatsApp termind of the numerous heists of monies Market Leaders Forum, which ini- group, are privileged to benefit from were relenting. After thorough forensic tiated and oversaw the develop- his deeply and immensely insightful investigations and independent audits, ment of Kenya’s highly successful commentaries on how to make posi- all these accusations have been found listed Treasury Bond issuance pro- tive contributions to the country, by inevitably lacking in substance or detail gramme; and his lead role in famil- going way beyond being a passive and more so, to sponsored campaigns to iarising National Treasury officials observer or a critique to that of an besmirch an incorruptible individual, hell with international capital markets, active and proactive player – like bent to snuff out the cancer of grand lar- resulting in Standard Bank playing him and in it to win! ceny from the corporation’s coffers. co-Lead Arranger roles for Kenya’s John’s participation in public A less determined person would have USD 600 million syndicated loan in sector boards dates back to the given up in the face of such vicious 2012, and the country’s inaugural early 1980s, when he was an alter- attacks, but John stuck to his guns, call- USD 2 billion Eurobond in 2014, nate director for Grindlays Bank ing out issues, being frank about lapses the only bank to be involved in both International on the Chemelil Sugar and failures, not being shy of engaging transactions. board. In 1997 he was appoint- Kenyans – especially through the same All these speak to his unique ed to the board of the Industrial media and in parliamentary summons ability to operate effectively at the & Commercial Development – and relentlessly pushing management nexus of the Kenyan private and Corporation (ICDC), where he played to put all stakeholders first: customers, public sectors in matters finance, not an active role in turning its invest- employees, shareholders and host com- to mention John’s occasional forays ments into becoming an indepen- munities. into matters politics, as he mediates dent player. (ICDC Investments has The difference this change in board and inter-mediates between business since metamorphosed into Centum leadership style made from an active role and government. He never misses Investments). In 1999, John was in chairing the KPC board from a passive an opportunity to use his amazingly appointed as an inaugural board envelop chasing, is so startling that it has wide network to link people up and member at the Communications become the default style for any chairman so to help them take advantage of Commission of Kenya (now the seeking to turn around the effectiveness opportunities or solve problems and Communications Authority of and efficiency of the SOE they are entrust- to link the business community with Kenya), a time which saw Safaricom ed with to lead. In contrast to previous the government nerve centre. and KenCell (now Airtel) licensed, years when there were periodic outcries The who is who in the Kenya thereby setting off the mobile tele- about fuel shortages, John has exited KPC business landscape and lucky to phony explosion that has trans- having ensured that this strategic SOE be invited to the Kenya Private formed the Kenyan economy. provides the country and the region with John Ngumi with uninterrupted fuel supplies. Kenya’s Cabinet John’s first stint as a public sec- of scarcely believable sums from the com- In addition, major fuel leakages are Secretary in charge tor board chairman was in 2012, when pany. Coming from the private sector, with tackled in an open, transparent, prompt of Petroleum and then President Mwai Kibaki appointed its high reputation for effective action, and decisive manner. Past and current John’s participation in public Mining John Munyes. him inaugural chairman at the Konza John was faced with the choice of either financial scams are exposed as a routine, Photo | Courtesy sector boards dates back to Technopolis Development Authority, the letting the long entrenched corporate cul- investigated and prosecutions initiated. the early 1980s, when he spearhead of Kenya’s bid to build an ture of impunity continue, or confronting Systems have been put in place and con- was an alternate director for African Silicon Savannah. it headlong at whatever cost. trols have been tightened, resulting in Grindlays Bank International In 2015 John’s career took a most dra- He chose to confront and change this better financial outcomes. matic turn, if not path, with his appoint- culture, thereby and predictably setting From being a lacklustre and occa- on the Chemelil Sugar board. ment as chairman of the Kenya Pipeline off a fierce, highly public and sustained sional dividend payer to the exchequer, In 1997 he was appointed to Company (KPC) board. This is a non-ex- backlash from within and without the KPC has become a major contributor. For the board of the Industrial ecutive position, with John, customarily confines of KPC. John had to contend instance, in the 14-month period between & Commercial Development not expected to do more than chair board with many false accusations, usually November 2019 and January 2021, KPC Corporation (ICDC), where he meetings and otherwise stay out of the sponsored from outside the media, but paid KES 19 billion to the Exchequer in played an active role in turning way, in keeping with what had hitherto executed by an inept media in a bid ordinary and special dividends and in its investments into becoming been the accepted passive role of board to besmirch his impeccable reputation other social payments, while continuing to an independent player. chairs in state owned enterprises (SOE). and slow him down. The allegations of meet all its financial obligations without Until then, KPC had a long history of high-handedness and perennial interfer- any recourse to the Exchequer. being the poster child of public sector cor- ence with management, alternating with The company has also become ruption, with regular accusations of theft accusations that he was in fact the mas- a star performer in the Access

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to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative targeted at special groups. And, recently, during the worst of the COVID-19 pan- demic period, KPC led the way among corporates, both in public and private sector, in coordinating the mass production and distribution of free sanitisers and face masks to vulnerable Kenyans. Most notable, John’s stint as KPC chairman decisively redefined the role of SOEs chairmen into one of active lead- ership, engagement, and assumption of visible responsibility and accountability, a cue that has since been taken up by many other parastatal chairmen of boards and a best practice as recommended in good and recent corporate governance literature. When John retired from Stanbic Bank in 2015 upon his appointment as KPC Chairman, he co-founded Eagle Africa Capital Partners Limited, a financial advi- sory boutique. He has also taken on other non-ex- and efficient financial services is a key ecutive board positions. Notable among John’s stint as KPC factor, hence his earlier pivotal role in these is his chairmanship of Carepay, the chairman decisively developing financial markets. owners of the M-TIBA platform, the mobile Asked to describe himself, John lists the phone-based health wallet that currently redefined the role of key attributes that have shaped his career: has over 1 million registered users, and SOEs chairmen into he is gregarious and enormously self-con- has on its digital register a clientele of over one of active leadership, fident; he possesses copious amounts of 320,000 households in NHIF under the drive, determination, energy, and an abso- pilot Universal Health Care programme in engagement, and lute will to win; and he is an excellent men- Machakos, Kisumu and Nyeri. John is also assumption of visible tor and trainer, a strong leader and team a non-executive director at Base Titanium responsibility and builder. Yes, that sounds like John! He is and Kenya Airways Plc. always in it to win. In August 2020, President Uhuru accountability. He is an outspoken champion of a Kenyatta appointed John the chairman of “neo-African attitude” that he describes the restructured and rebooted ICDC board as believing we can better ourselves and of directors, where in the late 1990s he our circumstances, so let’s stop whining had served as a non-executive director. about past injustices. “Instead let’s focus The special mandate is to oversee the on sorting out our problems and cease implementation of the Kenya Transport & relying on foreigners and or on foreign aid Logistics Network, an ambitious project to to do the job for us.” But he also recognises develop a world class integrated transport that Africa must be plugged into the global network through aligning the operations of economy; be innovative, adventurous and For more information, contact us on: the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Pipeline adaptable; and be willing to take risks but Company and Kenya Railways Corporation, not cut corners. Tel: +254 20 2884444 Mobile: +254 711056444 / +254 732156444 this responsibility earning him the unoffi- There is one sting in the tail: John E-mail: [email protected] cial title of super chairman. Ngumi is in everything he does, thinks John’s overriding professional goal is and writes, in it to win. His influence is to see Africa freed from economic hopeless- enormous, in government, outside govern- ness. He passionately believes that robust ment!

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priority to ESG will help to better worth Kshs. 30 Billion. This resulted value, KRB has to date distrib- determine the future performance of in KRB becoming a third Generation uted and funded the training and BAT Kenya since it is the framework Road Fund (GRF). licensing of boda boda operators as for assessing the impacts of the sus- In the area of public policy and below, with 1000 helmets tainability and ethical practices at governance KRB regularly carry out and 1500 reflective jackets distrib- BAT Kenya. In this way, we will be annual technical, financial and per- uted in Nyamira, Kakamega and guaranteeing and improving on the formance audits to ensure value for Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. 25 boda compliance framework and practices money of the RMLF fund. KRB also boda operators have been trained that have been in place over the last initiated the Kenya Roads Board and licensed in Nakuru County, #2 five years. Graduate Engineers Training pro- 50 in Nyamira County, and 78 are As a responsible organization, gram, currently in its 2nd cohort in currently undergoing training in BAT Kenya will continue to sup- the Road Authorities with a total of Kakamega County. Rita Kavashe port the business agenda in tackling 34 new graduate engineers. Ms Kavashe leads the research CHAIR OF BOARD: BAT KENYA illicit trade in order to maximize KRB also completed the final- initiatives in the roads sector that government revenue from excise and ization of the Road Register Review includes chairing of the chairman’s returning lost revenue to the gov- in 2020 by mapping 161,000kms leadership forum (CLF), funding ernment. Lastly, Rita is driving a of the classified road network and and overseeing the completion of robust and inclusive people agenda 85,000kms of new roads and narrow a trial section of 1km cobblestone enabled by a great place to work. roads in addition to the regular over- road in Machakos County and This includes BAT Kenya’s commit- seeing of axle load control within the funding Jomo Kenyatta University ment to gender diversity and nur- whole country. of Agriculture and turing the future leaders of Kenya, (JKUAT) research in the design and evidenced by increased female repre- Rita is seen as a thought development of emulsion treated sentation at all levels of the business leader in the roads sector in base equipment (ETBE). and the appointment of the first recognition to her strengthening Another achievement is the Kenyan MD in decades. As a four- hosting of the 2nd International time certified Global Top Employers the working relationship of the Transport & Road Research. Institute (2018, 2019, 2020 and KRB with other related agencies Rita Kavashe’s influence as a 2021) employee and recipient of the and key industry players chair of boards impacting business, Best Employer in Kenya 2017 and through regular joint meetings is perhaps summarised by an arti- 2018 by the Federation of Kenya with board members of the road cle dated 26 September 2020 in Employers (FKE), it is an area where authorities and courtesy calls on The East African, in which she is the business is rightly proud of its the County Governors. best described as shattering stereo- achievements, and strives to do even types in the world of vehicles and better. (roads-addition mine) areas for a At the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) Under Rita as chair of board, long time the domain of men. Rita reveals that the management of KRB attained the ISO 9001:2015 But for Rita Kavashe, Njiraini the funds has improved tremendous- certification in 2018 through the avers, they are her world, and she ccording to Agatha Juma, a strong cura- seeing BAT’s delivery of its A Better Tomorrow™ ly, with the funds currently at Kshs. Kenya Bureau of Standards and understands them perfectly. In this tor and director at Engage Kenya, Rita ambition by addressing the health impact of the 80Billion which has largely aided in managed to complete enhancement interview, Rita states that it has not Kavashe is absolutely her woman crush! business, whilst also meeting demand from East the maintenance of 48,000kms of of the ICT systems in time and within been an easy journey. Many times, Agatha uses the power of narrative and African consumers for potentially reduced risk national trunk roads and 15,000Kms estimated costs. she has encountered situations in Aengagement to drive leadership influence and busi- alternatives to cigarettes. Transforming the tobacco of county roads in Kenya through Rita is seen as a thought leader in which people would call seeking ness impact. She adds, ‘Rita is Boss lady who’s as industry through offering these potentially reduced the approved Annual Public Roads the roads sector in recognition to her to speak to the managing director, real and authentic as they come.’’ risk alternatives, whilst also growing BAT Kenya’s Program (APRP). strengthening the working relation- and when she got on the line, they Interviewing Rita Kavashe, hot on the heels contribution to the Big 4 Agenda through the local Her board oversaw the review ship of the KRB with other related would ask to speak to the MD, not of her recognition as one of the Top 25 CEOs manufacture of these alternative nicotine categories of the KRB Act 2019 which gave agencies and key industry players the secretary. impacting business in Kenya by the Business is a major priority for the business.’ KRB express borrowing powers that through regular joint meetings with She has also sat at male-domi- Monthly 2021 Jan/Feb magazine edition, she had Ms Kavashe continues, “the second big focus enabled KRB to mobilize long-term board members of the road authori- nated auto forums where their facial the following to say of her new role as the first ever right now is ensuring that environment, social and resources in the issuance of a Fuel ties and courtesy calls on the County expressions betray their discomfort woman to ascend to the coveted seat as chair of the corporate governance (ESG) concerns are front Levy backed Road Infrastructure Governors. because of her presence, the arti- board of BAT Kenya, ‘My mandate includes over- and centre in all that BAT Kenya does. Giving Bond in the Kenyan capital market In creating and sharing social cle posits. According to Njiraini,

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in Education from Moi University and Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi (UoN). She also attended the prestigious Harvard Business School leadership pro- gramme in 2013. Due to her penchant of walking the talk in corporate governance and instill- ing ethics in the business she leads, Rita Kavashe is a much sought-after corporate honcho by numerous blue-chip compa- nies, including those listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Rita always adds value to boards she sits on and brings high voltage networks, diversity in gender World marathon record holder and Isuzu D-Max Brand Ambassador Eliud Kipchoge (L) with Isuzu EA MD Rita and infuses the often much needed skill set Kavashe present the endorsed one-year partnership agreement at a ceremony held at Isuzu EA Plant on October, due to her exposure, experience and board 22, 2020. background. despite being seen as an outsider, Njiraini adds that in a 2017 interview Rita also serves as on the board of years of steering Isuzu, formerly General with CNN, Ms Kavashe was referred to , is the vice-chair of the Motors East Africa, to great heights, and as “The queen of commercial trucks in Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), her commitment to the growth of the auto Kenya”. We should, ‘’ and roads,’’. and also sits on the boards of the Kenya industry in general, has earned her respect Rita Kavashe grew up in Taita Taveta Vision 2030 Delivery Board and the from her peers. “Initially, there was doubt County, in South-eastern Kenya. “I did University of Eldoret Endowment Trust about whether I would make it. Eventually, not imagine I would be where I am, not at Board of Trustees. they realised I was making it, and therefore all,” she says, adding that growing up her While leading Isuzu has been both I earned their respect,” adds Ms Kavashe in father instilled in her the virtues of creating a wonderful and interesting experience, the article. relationships, leaving a good impression, the opportunity to serve on boards has A digital Learning Platform to In the hitherto male dominated indus- working hard and, when in a position of given her the chance to encourage other try, earning recognition from motor industry leadership, serving with dedication. women to take up board positions, and support your convenient access players resulted in Rita being elected chair- Going by the performance of Isuzu East mentor young girls looking up to her for person of the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Africa, the lessons from her father have inspiration. Today Kavashe is a champion to courses, learning materials and Association (KVMA) and the Kenya Motor borne fruit. Today, Rita Kavashe is also the of the Women on Boards Network, which Industry Association (KMIA), positions she managing director (MD) of the biggest auto addresses issues on how more women can self-examining tools. has held at different times. assembler in Eastern and Central Africa, get ready for board positions. In the interview with TEA, Rita opines with a market share of 44.5 per cent, up She is also an executive coach certified that her career path was made easier from 15 per cent when Ms Kavashe took by the Academy of Executive Coaches because she was working for a global com- over as the MD of the then General Motors (AOEC), UK, a credential she uses to men- UPCOMING TRAININGS pany committed to gender diversity in the East Africa in 2010. tor young girls on matters of career and workplace and that this meant that devel- Rita Kavashe holds a bachelor’s degree family, among other issues, and give them 1 — Bonds Trading & Investment Masterclass opment of female employees was central the much-needed inspiration that they too to the firm’s values. Rita adds that more can rise to the peak. “I am not only attrac- 18, 19 & 20, MARCH 2021 importantly, she has been an embodiment tive to young girls but also to women at my 2 — Investment & Investment Management Masterclass of the fact that hard work and determina- In the hitherto male dominated own level. We draw inspiration from each tion is rewarding, irrespective of someone’s industry, earning recognition from other,” Kavashe says. 14, 15, & 16, APRIL 2021 background. motor industry players resulted in Rita In 2017, the President of Kenya award- 3 — Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Level One The article further postulates that when ed Rita Kavashe the Moran of the Order being elected chairperson of the Kenya 1, MARCH 2021 Rita joined the automotive industry, she Vehicle Manufacturers Association of the Burning Spear (MBS) for exemplary did not have an engineering background so (KVMA) and the Kenya Motor Industry service to the country as a business leader, 4 — Capital Raising Masterclass she had to learn on the job through direct an award bestowed on her personally by Association (KMIA), positions she has 28, 29 & 30, APRIL 2021 interaction with colleagues. She quickly the President at a State House. We will be learnt the acronyms, models and engineer- held at different times. seeing more of this lady from Taita-Taveta ing concepts. Country, Coast Province of Kenya. Visit academy.nse.co.ke to register today NSE_PLC

14 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 15

Advert.indd 2 19/02/2021 11:48:33 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business

On 9th and subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho December, #3 Corporation of Japan). 2020, Amb. Other chairmanships include, Horie awarded Carbacid Investments Plc, Bank of the Japanese Amb. Dennis Ambassador’s Africa Kenya, Jumbo Chem, and Commendation MG. Dennis other directorships to Amb. Dennis Awori include East African Cables Plc and Awori, the several other small ones. late Mr. Endo CHAIR OF BOARD AND COUNTRY At the turn of the century, the Yoshitaka, Dr. DELEGATE: CFAO Kumon Kazuko, private sector in Kenya was begin- and Prof. Yeri ning to organise itself in a more Kombe for their inclusive and purposeful way, and contribution to as part of its evolution the Private the promotion Sector Forum was formed – a prede- of mutual understanding mb. Awori is the chairman and cessor to the Kenya Private Sector and friendship country delegate of CFAO Kenya Alliance (KEPSA). Dennis was between Japan since 2017, in addition to sitting among those who was elected to and Kenya. on the board of directors of CFAO serve on its board, and he became AGroup, a French conglomerate wholly its chairman. It was while serving in has also been a trustee of the Kenya Of bearing a prominent sur- owned by Toyota Tsusho Corporation with this position that he was appointed National Chamber of Commerce and name and what comes with it, in subsidiaries across the sub-Sahara Africa. ambassador, and so he was forced Industry. an interview with Business Daily, The CFAO Group is in 35 countries to leave his advocacy on behalf of I started working under Bruce Ambassador (Amb) Dennis Awori in Africa and does business in another 19 business to others. McKenzie, the chairman of the stated that while a prominent family countries through independent dealers and However, once back from his board of CMC Motors, as his PA, name is prominent, can help one distributors. Other than being prominent stint as a diplomat (correction, but five months later, he died in that through numerous doors, it is limit- in the motor vehicle sector, CFAO operates Dennis is always the diplomat!) he plane incidence. He informed a great ing, in the same vein. He stated then, in four business domains, namely mobility; swiftly re-engaged with those who deal of my professional life; also, his ‘It might have opened doors yes, but healthcare; fast moving consumer goods were now working to create a more son was my best friend. My father it commands a huge responsibility and agriculture and ; renew- enabling environment for the private is also a great influence; from him I as well. People expect more from able energy and infrastructure. sector within the emerging new and learned the power of communication you, so you might get through the Among the turnkey projects TTC have much more comprehensive body, but also the value of respect. Dad door but if you can’t deliver, it might been able to bug through Toyota Tsusho KEPSA. He was its founding vice treated everybody equally and with be a problem’. Amb. Awori added, East Africa is a $1.5 billion investment chairman and later its chairman. He respect no matter who you were in ‘Getting through the door is the easy in agribusiness in Kenya and the region later became the founding chairman society. I have always strived to do part normally. Also, I can’t be anony- in the form of developing farm machinery of the KEPSA Foundation and he the same. mous. I can’t go somewhere and stay through its franchise arrangement with anonymous.’ Case IH, a global agricultural equipment Amb. Awori has spent most of manufacturer. From 2003 to 2009, Amb. Awori served as his working life in multinationals The other project was the investment the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to in the motor industry across East in the construction of a fertiliser factory Africa, in which he has held various at a cost of $1.2billion. These two projects Japan and Korea. During his tenure, he opened positions of increasing responsibility. earned Amb. Awori the tag name, the man a new Embassy in South Korea and built These include starting as a sales and from Japan! strong relations between Kenya and the two marketing manager of Toyota Kenya, CFAO Group Companies in Kenya, then a division of Lonrho Motors comprises Toyota Kenya, DT Dobie, Loxea, countries, especially by promoting trade and East Africa (LMEA) (1987-1990) Toyotsu Automark, Tyre Distributors Africa industry through the respective private sectors founder and general manager of the (a joint venture with Michelin), CFAO institutions, in keeping with Kenya’s new focus Yamaha Division of LMEA (1990- Kenya, CFAO Agri and Laborex Kenya. 1995) founder managing director Amb. Awori is a director of CFAO RSA on economic diplomacy. of Toyota Uganda, a subsidiary of and CFAO SAS (the continental group LMEA (1995-1998) managing

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director of LMEA (1998-2001) exec- Committee of the Board, which was respon- business leadership program at Ashridge utive coordinator of Toyota East Africa sible for providing technical support to Management College, and a management upon Toyota Tsusho Corporation buying the overall board. Between 2015 to 2016, development program from the Emory LMEA (2001-2003) and board chair- Amb. Awori served as Chairman of Kenya Business School of Atlanta in the United man of Toyota East Africa and advisor to Airways, the national carrier. States of America (US). Toyota Tsusho Africa (2009-2012) chair- He holds a BSc degree in Aeronautical Amb. Awori is a keen sportsman and man Toyota Kenya and Toyota Tsusho East Engineering from the University of represented Kenya and East Africa at Africa (2012-2017). Manchester in the (UK). Rugby events in the 1980s, as well as From 2003 to 2009, Amb. Awori served Other academic achievements include a chaired both the Kenya and as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Uganda Rugby Union in consecutive Kenya to Japan and Korea. During his terms. He has also been a member of the tenure, he opened a new Embassy in South Rotary and is a past president of the Rotary Korea and built strong relations between Club of Nairobi East. Kenya and the two countries, especially Very few remember that he was one by promoting trade and industry through of the first generation of Africans to play the respective private sectors institutions, rugby in the country together with names in keeping with Kenya’s new focus on eco- like the late Chris Onsotti, John Gichinga nomic diplomacy. and George Kariuki. He also chaired Kenya In public service, he was appointed to the (KRFU) and the New Partnerships for Africa Development Uganda Rugby Football Union (URFU. National Steering Committee in 2010. Prior In December 2020, Dennis was award- to these, Amb. Awori served on the Board ed by the government of Japan through of the Communications Commission of Amb. Awori has served on the HE the Amb. Horie Ryoichi, the Japanese Kenya now the Communication Authority boards of Kenya Vision 2030 Ambassador’s Commendation in recogni- of Kenya (2001-2004) and participated in Delivery Board (2013 and 2018) tion for his contribution to the promotion the establishing of the regulatory frame- a governmental organization in of mutual understanding, friendship build- work for the telecommunications, mobile charge of the vision and long-term ing strong relationships between Japan and telephony and courier industries in the development plan of the country the Republic of Kenya. country. Maybe we can explain his success Amb. Awori has served on the boards of during which time he chaired the through his personal mantra, which is to Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board (2013 Economics and Macro Committee “work hard, stay focused and whatever you and 2018) a governmental organization in of the Board, which was responsible do, keep it simple”. Plus, as all who know charge of the vision and long-term devel- for providing technical support to him will attest, this jovial family man, this opment plan of the country during which the overall board. gentle giant, is an exceptionally polite and time he chaired the Economics and Macro humble chair of board.

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he former Country general manag- takes. Those like Nik who devote so – with the Harvard Business School ministries and agencies. er for IBM for the Eastern Africa much of their time to such advocacy and the MIT Sloan School of Business He has also spearheaded differ- (August 2013-September 2020) is in #4 must be driven by other factors other having both written case studies on the ent business meetings both locally word and deed, a transformational than personal glory or ego. They must, company. and internationally including leading leaderT who not only exudes confidence but as he certainly is, be motivated by sim- Nik was then recruited to be the Kenyan business executives during the also kindness, openness and rationality in Nicholas Nesbitt, OGW ply striving for the greater good of the General Manager of IBM Eastern Kenya-France business forum hosted equal measure. CHAIR OF BOARD: KEPSA country and the east African region. Africa, where he led IBM’s operations by MEDEF in Paris on 2nd October These days, Nik Nesbitt is best known Transformational leaders like Nik, in ten countries in the region, includ- 2020, which was held in honour of for being the chairman of the Kenya Private leading behemoth institutions with ing the teams that managed the IBM H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on his Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the highly influ- diverse and often conflicting and com- Research Africa Lab. Nik had earlier official visit to France. ential private sector umbrella body that peting interests, like KEPSA and the led IBM to invest heavily in its East Nesbitt wears many hats, includ- brings together most if not all leaders EABC simultaneously, put up with so African regional hub and to open IBM’s ing being a board member of the from the various sectors of the business many frustrations that derive from try- Research Lab in Nairobi, the only one Vision 2030 Delivery Board, Central community. ing not only to bring the private sector in Africa. Under his leadership IBM Bank of Kenya, of Indeed, it is not surprising that many to speak with one voice, but then to delivered extensive and transformation- Africa (NCBA), American Chamber of who were recognized by this magazine as engage constructively with officials in al change through the technology solu- Commerce, AMREF Flying Doctors, being among the Top 25 CEOs, and many government who have their own agen- tions it offered in several government Kenya School of Monetary Studies, who are now being recognized as among das and their own constraints. Just the Top 25 Chairpersons, have been or still gaining access is a challenge in itself, are KEPSA leaders. So, being the leader of but Nik’s wide network, his amiable such leaders speaks very highly of Nik’s demeanor and his visionary ideals allow attributes. him to reach and to influence where As though this demanding position is many others would be unable to. not enough, Nik also chairs the East Africa As KEPSA chairman, one of his Business Council (EABC, the apex body hallmark achievements has been to lead of all private sector organizations in East the private sector engagement with gov- Africa. At KEPSA, he has served for two ernment that resulted in the improve- terms making him the only other Chair of ment of Kenya’s Ease of Doing Business the KEPSA board to achieve this. ranking, and the rationalization and Since he was elected the KEPSA Chair, easing of the tax burden to mitigate he has displayed outstanding leadership the adverse effects of the Covid-19 traits in leading the Board that have helped pandemic. steer the organization to achieve great mile- In the wake of the novel coro- As KEPSA chairman, one of his hallmark achievements has been to stones. Both positions require extensive navirus, Nesbitt has been instrumen- lead the private sector engagement with government that resulted in time, given that he is required to attend tal in steering the KEPSA Economic the improvement of Kenya’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, and the high-level meeting after high-level meeting, Management Framework for Covid- relentlessly working towards creating a 19 response and chairing the week- rationalization and easing of the tax burden to mitigate the adverse more enabling environment for the private ly KEPSA Covid-19 Response meet- effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. sector. As others in KEPSA’s and EABC’s ings, out of which, critical resolutions leadership have found, playing this role is were made in the economic scene. The by no means straightforward, requiring a Economic Management Framework led senior executive positions at Qwest Multimedia University and Gateway mix of pushiness and diplomacy, of deter- to the unveiling of Economic Stimulus Communications, Schneider Electric and insurance. He is also an active member mination and empathy. Be too impatient Measures by the government in 2020. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). of the Young President’s Organization and you get pushback; be too gentle and Nik has an easy way of bringing On returning to Kenya, he formed (YPO), a global organization support- you get nowhere. people together and building consensus and was the CEO of KenCall, the pio- ing leading CEO’s. Much of what leaders like Nik do and among them, all this from such a rich neering international call centre that Nesbitt has been profiled frequent- achieve must be handled quietly behind the and varied career. Following his studies included Fortune 100 clients from the ly in global and regional media as a scenes, with no media present and no con- at a pair of prestigious universities in US and UK. The company was recog- thought leader and visionary and has sequential accolades. This means that most America (his Bachelor’s and Masters nized as the Top Non-European Call been a frequent speaker and panelist people have no idea of quite how much is of engineering degrees from Dartmouth Centre globally, the fastest growing Top on entrepreneurship, innovation and indeed being worked on in such discrete College, and his MBA from Stanford 100 Company in Kenya, and one of the leadership at conferences in Kenya and ways, and how much focus and energy it University), he remained there to hold best mid-size businesses in East Africa around the world.

20 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 21 www.cmcmotors.com

www.cmcmotors.com

www.cmcmotors.com

ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business LUXURY MEETS FAMILY LUXURY MEETS FAMILY LUXURY MEETS FAMILY

The President of Kenya award- ber’s background in a public discourse of the Television (TV) through his oratory ed Mr. Nesbitt a presidential honor, the contentious issues, the ability to stimu- skills, having a knack for encouraging an Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), in late the intellect by challenging people’s all-inclusive participation, for instance in recognition of his pioneering spirit and preconceived notions during debates on KEPSA’s Media Wall, a talent for encour- accomplishments in creating the Kenyan aging genuine , honest and compassionate BPO industry. communication, and Nik promotes loyalty In a Business Daily interview four years Nik is a chairman of extraordinary within reason from the business people he ago, Nik was asked how he defined success, potential, and thanks to his leads, has a sense of the bigger picture, has and he replied that “Success to me is about outstanding wit, intellect and a high degree of empathy and unquestion- achieving your potential. What are you character, he has been fulfilling this able personal integrity. capable of doing? Success is about achiev- admirably. Who knows what further One thing we can say for sure: Nik is a ing what you are meant to achieve and ways he will find to be of positive chairman of extraordinary potential, and what you are capable of achieving.” thanks to his outstanding wit, intellect and Nik lives by this definition of success. influence in society? But, it is not in character, he has been fulfilling this admi- As one of a rare breed of transformational doubt that he will continue making rably. Who knows what further ways he will leaders in business in East Africa, Nik big and uplifting waves, and not find to be of positive influence in society? traits include an understanding of what just in Kenya But, it is not in doubt that he will continue needs changing irrespective of the mem- making big and uplifting waves, and not just in Kenya. Mazda CX-9 is the ultimate blend of stunning sophistication and family SUV. Nik is one chairman who leads with Reimagined from the ground up, it’s the very first Mazda to feature the breakthrough vision and keeps the usual chair person’s ego in check. This is as a result of a strong SKYACTIV-GMazda CX-9 2.5Tis the petrol ultimate engine. blend Delivering of stunning impressive sophistication performance and family with SUV.real- upbring and the activities and societies worldReimagined efficiency, from the the ground 2.5-litre up, it’s direct the very injection first Mazda turbocharged to feature the engine breakthrough offers driving he was involve in during his formative Mazda CX-9 is the ultimate blend of stunning sophistication and family SUV. years: Squash Club, Rugby Club, Green excitementSKYACTIV-G never 2.5T before petrol felt engine. in a family Delivering SUV. impressive performance with real- Key, Student Council. worldReimagined efficiency, from the the ground 2.5-litre up, it’s direct the very injection first Mazda turbocharged to feature the engine breakthrough offers driving Nicholas (Nik) Nesbitt is a keen golfer SKYACTIV-G 2.5T petrol engine. Delivering impressive performance with real- and mountain biker, who also enjoys safa- excitement never before felt in a family SUV. ris. Those who work closely with Nik on world efficiency, the 2.5-litre direct injection turbocharged engine offers driving boards of leading corporations aver that by excitement never before felt in a family SUV. breeding and temperament, Nik is a chair- man who is self-effacing and cultured. For more information visit cmcmotors.com/kenya/ or visit your nearest dealership For enquiries: 0723 960 871/0722 772 979 | Email: [email protected] 22 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 ForNAIROBI more information| NAKURU visit| NANYUKI cmcmotors.com/kenya/ | ELDORET | KITALE or visit | your MERU nearest | MOMBASA dealershipBUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 23 For enquiries: 0723 960 871/0722 772 979 | Email: [email protected] ForNAIROBI more information| NAKURU visit| NANYUKI cmcmotors.com/kenya/ | ELDORET | KITALE or visit | your MERU nearest | MOMBASA dealership For enquiries: 0723 960 871/0722 772 979 | Email: [email protected] NAIROBI | NAKURU | NANYUKI | ELDORET | KITALE | MERU | MOMBASA ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business

will give travelers a friendly and memora- saac Awuondo crown in the jewel in corporate life ble experience. It will also ease passenger came when HE the President of Kenya, Uhuru flow and increase efficiency due to the #5 Isaac Awuondo Kenyatta, plucked him from his very busy corpo- centralization of security screening pro- rate life as the group managing director of then cedures and the reallocation of available CHAIR OF BOARD: NCBA BANK KENYA CommercialI Bank of Africa (CBA) to co-chair with floor spaces to international departure Hon. Abdikadir H. Mohammed, The Presidential gates. Taskforce on Parastatal Reforms (PTPR). “The refurbishment and facelift of the The PTPR was tasked with the responsibility of T1B and 1C aims to align the passenger interrogating the policies on the management and experience in these terminals to match governance of Kenya’s parastatals with the aim of what is offered at T1A. The remodeling determining how best they would contribute to the project is an integral part of the ongo- pursuit of national development aspirations, facili- ing JKIA customer service improvement tating the transformation of our country into a great plan (CSIP) was sanctioned by the board land of prosperity and opportunity for all. and formulated after the consideration of An experienced bank executive with a demon- feedback from our stakeholders and cus- strated history of working in the banking industry tomers. To expedite the implementation of for a period spanning more than 33 years and this project, Airlines that have been oper- very experienced and skilled in financial services, ating from Terminal 1B and 1C are being financial risk, corporate finance, business strategy, Awuondo took over the helm as chairman following the merger between temporarily relocated to Terminal 1A and and change management, Awuondo had to release NIC and CBA in October 2019 that unveiled new leadership positions Terminal 2. To minimize inconveniences, his intelligence, private sector knowledge and expe- within the new bank entity. Before the merger, Isaac was the Group MD of passengers are requested to arrive at the rience, to help in not only co-chairing the sessions, CBA for seven years (2012-2019). airport at least 4 hours before their flight but also in framing the discussions and questions in departures. such a way that the members of the taskforce would Through his involvement in charitable be clear about the context, understanding important ing and savings solutions, in partnership of Riara University, director of Bata Shoes and philanthropic activities, Awuondo is facts as they scored through volumes and volumes with Safaricom, (Tanzania) and Company Kenya plc and Nairobi Java the chairman of the Kenya Conservatoire of documents containing the respective mandates of MTN (Uganda), and . House, among others. of Music, University of Nairobi Alumni each SOE and the hundreds of Acts and regulations Isaac began his career when he trained Since his appointment by HE the Association, The Rhino Trust, a conser- that anchored the creations of some of these enter- at BDO Binder Hamlyn in London quali- President of Kenya, to chair the board vation charity involved in preservation of prises in the first place. All these needed Awuondo’s fying as a Chartered Accountant in 1984. of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), environmental biodiversity, WWF Kenya, skills, experience and multi-discipline exposure often On his return to Kenya in 1985, he joined the authority has embarked on expansion and a Trustee of Zawadi Africa Education needed of a good and chair. The taskforce completed the firm of Githongo and Company (a and rehabilitation of airstrips and airports Fund, an educational charity which pro- its work and delivered the report to the President on BDO affiliate) as an audit manager in as it seeks to open up tourism, boost the vides scholarship support to disadvan- time in October 2013. 1985. movement of cargo and enhance mobility taged girls from Africa. Awuondo is now the chairman of NCBA Bank In 1986, Isaac was appointed as the of passengers across the country. The Jomo Awuondo holds a Bachelor of Kenya, following the merger between NIC and CBA group auditor of Nation Printers and Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is Commerce degree from the University of in October 2019 that unveiled new leadership posi- Publishers (now the Nation Media Group) undergoing a major facelift. Under Isaac Nairobi where he majored in Accounting tions within the new bank entity. Before the merger, and eventually rising to be the group Awuondo’s leadership, KAA is commit- and Finance. He also undertook accoun- Isaac was the Group Managing Director of CBA for financial controller and company secre- ted to positioning JKIA as the preferred tancy training in the UK, where Isaac is seven years (2012-2019). Previously, Isaac was the tary. Then in 1988, Awuondo was an exec- regional aviation hub in east and central a member of the Institute of Chartered managing director, executive director and general utive director and chief financial officer Africa. In this regard, KAA has embarked Accountants in England and Wales manager of CBA between 1998 and 2012. at Chartered Bank until he on a renovation project to upgrade the (ICAEW). Isaac is also a member of the It is through Isaac’s commendable experience in joined CBA group. JKIA’s Terminal 1B and 1C. Institute of Certified Public Accounts of the banking industry that CBA bank emerged as the He also served as Director of Centum The 12-month JKIA development Kenya (ICPAK) and a Fellow of the Kenya largest privately held commercial bank in Kenya. Investment Company (earlier known as project which is estimated to cost Ksh. Institute of Management (FKIM). The bank is operational in other countries namely ICDC Investments) until September 12, 963 million aims to refurbish the depar- Isaac Awuondo is a keen golfer, enjoys Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ivory Coast. CBA 2008.Isaac sits on the board of several ture halls to improve the check-in, security music and is a collector of contemporary Group was one of the strongest and ethically man- public and private organizations, including screening, retail operations as well as pas- African art, an area of interest for more aged commercial banks’ offering a comprehensive the chairman of Kenya Airports Authority, senger lounge experience. than 30 years. He is also into classic cars range of banking services, including mobile and dig- Kenya Cultural Centre and Aidspan, a Once completed, the newly renovated and has been involved with the sponsor- itally enabled financial solutions and was recognized former chairman of the financial sector light-filled departure terminals will deliver ship of the Concours D’Elegance organized as the market leader in the provision of mobile lend- board of KEPSA, chairman of the council modern concessions and amenities that by the Italian Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

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#6 Michael Joseph CHAIR OF BOARD: SAFARICOM AND KENYA AIRWAYS PLC

ichael Joseph first made national and glob- al headlines with the successful launching the M-Pesa in 2007. The use of corporate social responsibility to shove the fortunes of MSafaricom’s plummeting shares was then to become the first CEO in Kenya to use a deliberately well-crafted CSR campaign strategically as a sustainable business strategy. Michael Joseph’s corporate life started many years ago with senior roles in South Africa, the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Hungary. However, here we will con- centrate on his corporate life in Kenya which began in July 2000 when he came to Kenya as the founder CEO of Safaricom, then a joint venture between UK and Telkom Kenya. Although hard to believe now, the early years of Safaricom were tough, challenging and stressful for Michael and his colleagues but, they admit, they were enormously enjoyable as well. They had very little capital at their disposal, lacked sufficient market data to make insightful decisions, and were the first to admit that they made not a few mistakes. The turnaround started in 2003 after reach- ing over a million subscribers, with the successful launch of Safaricom’s first corporate bond when it became a household name, including thanks to its uplifting corporate social responsibility (CSR) philosophy-what Absa Bank’s CEO Jeremy Awori calls embedding sustainability as a stra- tegic business principle and practice with the objective of creating incremental shared value for all the stakeholders, both in the ways we do business but also in the services and goods on offer. Michael made many decisions at that time which with hindsight we can see formed the building blocks of the subsequent success of Safaricom but which at the time were based on dubious data and more on his gut instincts. Two very important ones were the emphasis on innovation, with many new products launched that changed the lives of their customers (inevitably, not all of them succeeded); and the drive to see its CSR projects (typically through sponsor- ships) touch as many people’s lives as possible. It was the introduction of M-Pesa in 2007 that proved transformative. M-Pesa was based on an idea

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sponsored by DfID and designed by Vodafone, initially as a product for the dis- bursement and repayment of micro-finance , and then brought to life by Safaricom as a true mobile money system. Michael’s role was to drive the adoption and pene- tration of M-Pesa in its first 12 months by pushing the envelope, not least by driving his team to attracting as many customers as possible so that the product would go viral. A massive distribution network was essential for success and, although the company faced many challenges during this time, Michael was his usual relentless self in driving the team to maximize the number of dealers, and the rest, as they say, is history. M-Pesa played a major role in supporting the peace efforts during the 2008 post-election violence, which proved both its value as a social enterprise project and as a contribution to both the financial gleefully and mostly negatively covered by and operational success of Safaricom. Since the media. But what keeps him going is his then, M-Pesa has become intrinsic to the burning desire to save Kenya Airways as a social and economic fabric of the Kenyan strategic asset of the country and to pro- life… and to the wellbeing of Kenyans. tect as many jobs as possible for the loyal In 2007, Safaricom became a public and hardworking Kenya Airways staff. company, unfortunately coinciding with The normal role of a chairman is the worldwide economic meltdown. As a upended in these times of crisis, as it goes result, Safaricom shares, which were list- far beyond merely running regular stan- ed at KSh5 per share, dropped to KSh2. dard board meetings to offering intense Michael had to deal with being blamed for support to the management team – partic- the downturn, being vilified by the Kenyans ularly to CEO Allan Kilavuka, who took who had invested heavily in the shares. But, the reins of the company substantively on of course, the shares recovered and went April 1, 2020, at probably the worst time from strength to strength, to the point that still does today that had they persevered, Every aspect of the airlines operations was Just as Kenya Airways started to see in the company’s history. Allan has been they are now trading at over KSh36 per these companies would today be benefitting When Michael joined as struggling and staff morale at its lowest light at the end of the tunnel, Covid-19 managing the day-to-day challenges of share. hugely from the unique benefits of M-Pesa. Chairman, Kenya Airways ebb. pandemic struck. For Kenya Airways as for trying to keep KQ operating despite the In 2010, Michael Joseph stepped down First forward. In 2017, Michael was When Michael joined as Chairman, all worldwide airlines, the effect was dev- most adversarial economic climate and as CEO and, after a one-year sabbatical as a head-hunted by the President of Kenya and was also in the middle of Kenya Airways was also in the middle of astating. Almost immediately, the KQ fleet the roughest of operating conditions. It is Fellow of the World Bank and a consultant requested to take on the role of Chairman a financial restructuring, a financial restructuring, which generated was grounded, with zero income flowing good to be reminded that the way Allan to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he of Kenya Airways. He was somewhat reluc- which generated its its own momentum. This was coupled in while high fixed costs continued. Even has been conducting himself earned him took on the role as Mobile Money Director tant to do so, as firstly he knew he was with a management review, many of whose after the resumption of flights, the future the right to be among this magazine’s 25 for Vodafone, through which he introduced more of a hands-on operational executive, own momentum. This elements promised eventual economic suc- remains uncertain, with the airline forced most influential CEOs in Kenya in our last M-Pesa to Tanzania, Mozambique, , and secondly, he was not fully familiar with was coupled with a cess but were heavily reliant on many to live from day to day. edition. DRC, Egypt, Albania, Romania, and what would be required of him. He never management review, many other uncertain dependencies. To come from starting and operating Not all has been rosy for Michael. South Africa. In the beginning this was guessed quite how difficult this job would Michael is the first to admit that the one of the most successful companies in In July 2019, after a long battle with a difficult journey, with as many of the be, as the company was going through most of whose elements promised final outcome of this financial restructur- Eastern and Southern Africa to being leukaemia, Michael lost his dear friend companies not appreciating the medium- difficult times and in a very bad shape both eventual economic success ing did not really solve the fundamental involved on a day-to-day basis as chair- and colleague who was his successor at and long-term benefits of mobile money to financially and operationally, with many but were heavily reliant problems. This was then followed by an man of a struggling airline has been really Safaricom. Not only did he have to mourn them. Unfortunately, Vodafone had to admit serious issues: from insufficient cash to unsuccessful attempt to form a private/ hard to deal with for Michael – as it would the loss of his close friend, but then he also defeat in India, South Africa, Albania and pressure from unions; from insufficient rev- on many other uncertain public partnership with the Kenya Airports indeed be for anyone. We would readily had to accept the board’s request to take Romania, which still leaves a bitter taste in enue to high operational costs, particularly dependencies. Authority, and a possible nationalisation understand if he were to be disheartened on the role as Acting CEO of the company. his mouth as he firmly believed then and when compared to its nearest competitors. (now being pursued in parliament). and discouraged by the daily challenges, so It was both a bitter and sweet moment

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for Michael. He always regarded Safaricom as “his” company, watching over it as a director during Bob’s time, and Michael made many relishing a chance to be at the helm again. decisions at that time which But simultaneously he had to deal with his with hindsight we can see emotions for why this new challenge arose. formed the building blocks It was a challenging time for Michael, of the subsequent success as not only did he want to make many of Safaricom but which at changes but he also felt restricted due to the temporary nature of his role. It was the time were based on however also an exciting time, as he set the dubious data and more on stage for the incoming substantive CEO, his gut instincts. Peter Ndegwa – who also featured among our 25 most influential CEOs. According to insiders who participated in his appointment, Peter Ndegwa pos- sesses extensive commercial and financial services knowledge and experience at the global level, much needed to be able to cope with the fast-evolving technology driven in new market segments as a more broad- ongoing serious sustainable growth is abso- multi-billion firm that is Safaricom PLC. ly based technology company. With hard- lute. This is what leadership is about, at In 2020, Michael was appointed chair- charging Michael as the chairman, with both board and management levels, quot- man of Safaricom, replacing the long serv- the recently appointed CEO Peter Ndegwa, ing Michael Joseph. ing Nicholas Nganga. New opportunities and the strong supporting team in place, Michael Joseph is not just a chair of facing Safaricom will include the possible there is no sign of incumbent complacency board: Michael Joseph is the chair of the entry into Ethiopia; strengthening its posi- at Safaricom. boards of Kenya Airways and Safaricom tion in the Kenya market with improved The zest for going from strength to PLC. If that is not wielding influence, then services and products; and positioning itself strength is unabated; the assumption of MJ impacts all businesses in Kenya.

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With her at the helm, the Board has been fulfilling its mandate with utmost #7 transparency, having adopted good corporate governance theory and Jane Karuku, MGH embedding this in practice, working with CHAIR OF BOARD: VISION 2030 DELIVERY professional audit, consulting, financial advisory and tax services firms PwC Kenya, KPMG, Deloitte Kenya and EY Kenya to support operations and providing pro- pon the exit of an industry giant like Dr. bono assurance services. James Mwangi, the President of Kenya had to head-hunt someone with the charm, elegance, poise, presence, drive, strategic sional audit, consulting, financial advisory and Uthinking and charisma to reboot and give fresh impe- tax services firms PwC Kenya, KPMG, Deloitte tus to the country’s premier planning agency. So, and Kenya and EY Kenya to support operations and naturally, it was to Ms. Jane Karuku that he turned. providing pro-bono assurance services. Ms. Karuku is currently the Chair of the Vision Then, the EABL Board led by Dr Martin 2030 Delivery Board. The Board is mandated to Luke Oduor-Otieno came calling: They appoint- deliver a policy making and advisory role and ed Ms Jane Karuku to take the helm as Group provide overall leadership, oversight, guidance and Managing Director and CEO at East African policy direction in the implementation of the Kenya Breweries on January 1, 2021, the first woman Vision 2030 Strategy. to be appointed to the position since its incor- Vision 2030 Delivery Board also drives suste- poration. Ms. Karuku is not new to the EABL nance of the momentum in realizing the goals and business. She joined the company’s Board in aspirations under the Vision’s three pillars, political, 2013, before being appointed Managing Director economic and social, in addition to setting sectoral for Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) in mid-2015. and national targets, evaluating the results and influ- At KBL as Managing Director, she has driven encing policy direction. the growth agenda for Kenya’s biggest manufac- As if this catch was not big enough, it is again to turer and one of the oldest companies which will Ms Jane Karuku that the President of Kenya turned, be celebrating a centenary in 2022. She is current- when SARS CoV 2, the virus that causes the Covid- ly among the most senior women leaders in East 19 disease hit Kenya’s shores, to chair the Kenya Africa, steering East and Central Africa’s largest Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Board to sup- alcohol beverage business to greater heights with port the government’s efforts in the procurement iconic brands such as Tusker, Bell, Serengeti, of medical supplies and equipment (also referred Senator, Guinness and Johnnie Walker. She has to as PEE) for front line health workers as well as been instrumental in driving innovations in the alleviating the welfare support to the vulnerable business by launching new brands and categories communities and individuals. The Fund has helped that include Tusker Cider, Tusker Premium Ale, raise over Kshs 2.8 billion shillings in cash and Sikera Cider and a number of premium scotch in-kind donations directly which has already been whiskeys, gin, rums and liqueurs. distributed and fully utilized. The Fund has also Ms. Karuku has also been driving one of helped coordinate the distribution of an additional Kenya’s biggest investments in recent times by Kshs 500m worth of in-kind donations through its a single company—the Kshs 15 billion Kisumu secretariat from various charity groups, individuals brewery—to produce the Senator, a low-cost beer and corporates across the country, a no mean feat. made from sorghum. The Senator value chain has With her at the helm, the Board has been ful- spawned a significant multiplier effect in the econ- filling its mandate with utmost transparency, having omy with 30,000 farmers supplying the Nairobi adopted good corporate governance theory and Brewery and nearly 15,000 more from Western embedding this in practice, working with profes- Kenya region delivering to KBL Kisumu Brewery. The new brewery is estimated to have created over 100,000 jobs in the Western Kenya.

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She has been instrumental in for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). She is also guiding EABL’s significant ensuring KBL is committed to the UN Her expansive experience straddles strate- contribution to the community and the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) gy development, operational management, positive role of alcohol plays in society as which has seen KBL aligned to 13 SDGs marketing, brand management as well as part of a balanced lifestyle. and the company was awarded the Private change management. Jane has served on several boards Sector winner of the 2020 SDGs Kenya In her new tour of duty at the helm of including Barclays Bank (now ABSA Awards 2020. the EABL business, Ms. Karuku is leading Kenya) and is currently a Trustee of Jane is passionate about driving diversi- East Africa’s biggest manufacturing Group Precious Sisters, a Not-for-profit organiza- ty and inclusion by ensuring disadvantaged with an exceptional collection of local and tion that empowers bright and underprivi- sections of the society are given oppor- global brand icons across beer, spirits and leged girls through education scholarships. tunities to participate in the KBL value non-alcoholic beverages. While the EABL Always polite and unassuming, Jane chain, one of the main criteria for the 25 manufacturing operations are concentrated has been recognized and awarded for Most Influential Chair of Boards Impacting in the three East African core markets of her contribution to the country’s social Business nominations. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the products and economic development by HE the Ms. Karuku is a dynamic business are sold in more than 10 countries across President of Kenya. She was recently leader, with strong management experience Africa and beyond. awarded the Presidential Order of Service, spanning over 25 years in fast-moving con- Ms. Karuku is leading a company Uzalendo Award in May 2020 and con- sumer goods (FMCG) and non-governmen- whose performance ambition is to be the ferred the award of the Order of the Moran tal organizations, stretching from Cadbury best performing, most trusted and respected of the Golden Heart (MGH) in December East Africa to Telkom Kenya to the Alliance consumer products companies in Africa. 2020.

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capital resources to finance long term productive investments. #8 James Maina Ndegwa is a son of Philip Ndegwa, a globally recognized Kenya economist, entrepreneur, former James Ndegwa Governor of the of Kenya CHAIR OF BOARD: CAPITAL and patriarch of one of the country’s MARKETS AUTHORITY most respected names in entrepreneur- ship, with clear and indelible footprints in real estate, financial services, insur- ccording to a response to a ques- ance and re-insurance and in high qual- tion put to the 20 chairs from ity manufacturing. He formed the First 13 countries attending the high Chartered Securities Group as a vehicle impact executive development to create and build wealth in various Aprogramme at INSEAD for board lead- sectors of the economy. ers; “What makes a good chair today?”, As he served his country with ster- good chairs know whom they are ling performance, selflessly creating accountable to and it’s not shareholders and recreating one national institution or employees. after another, Philip Ndegwa structured until January 1988. ing in 1987 when the United Nations This quote from the INSEAD arti- boards of directors composed of indi- Mr. Ndegwa played a key role in the Secretary General appointed him to a cle co-authored by Stanislav Shekshnia viduals of integrity, including we now privatization of Kenya Airways which he panel of international economic experts an INSEAD Affiliate Professor of call independent non-executive direc- served as chairman from 1991 to 1996 charged with examining Africa’s debt Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise tors to oversight the top management and was also the first chairman of Kenya crisis and recommending policies to and the Co-Programme Director of of his businesses, and avoided conflicts Revenue Authority. Besides his public address it. Mr Ndegwa also wrote sever- Leading from the Chair, one of INSEAD’s of interests. service duties and business interests, al books, the last of which was ‘Africa to Board Development Programmes Philip Ndegwa was educated at Mr Ndegwa maintained a keen interest 2000: Imperative Political and Economic and a contributing faculty member at Makerere and Harvard Universities and in academic pursuits, particularly in Agenda’, published in 1994 and co-au- the INSEAD Corporate Governance began his working life as a Research relation to economic development and thored with Reginald Herbold Green. Initiative and Timothy Rowley, a and Tutorial Fellow at Makerere before research. He also undertook a number Philip Ndegwa founded what would Professor of Strategic Management at joined the civil service in 1965 as of international assignments includ- become known as the First Chartered the Rotman School of Management, Senior Planning Office in the Ministry Securities (FCS) Group in 1974 with University of Toronto and a visiting of Economic Planning & Development. 20 other shareholders. Their first Professor of Strategy at INSEAD, best Over the next three years he rose to Those who sit on the major acquisition was the purchase of describes James Ndegwa, the chair of the be Chief Planning Officer and then the Insurance Company of East Africa board of the Capital Markets Authority. Permanent Secretary. He would later board of CMA aver (ICEA). Following the merger of ICEA The Capital Markets Authority is an serve as a Permanent Secretary in the that James is a man and the Lion of Kenya Insurance to form independent public agency established Ministry of Agriculture in 1969 before whose integrity cannot the ICEA LION Group, the entity would by an Act of Parliament, Cap 485 under becoming Permanent Secretary for become one of Eastern Africa’s largest the National Treasury and Planning. The Finance & Planning in 1970. be called into question. insurance companies. The Group is also Authority came into being on December Towards the close of 1974 Mr They postulate that, the majority shareholder of the region’s 15, 1989 when the Act was passed and Ndegwa was seconded to the United State Corporations have first private reinsurance company, East was inaugurated in March 1990. Nations Environment Programme Africa Re. The CMA is a regulating body initially as Economic Advisor before very good procedures, if In banking, FCS merged its bank, charged with the prime responsibility becoming Assistant Deputy Executive properly observed, for AMBank with National Industrial Credit of supervising, licensing and monitoring Director. In 1978 he returned to the managing competing having bought out the Barclays Bank the activities of market intermediaries, civil service as Economic Advisor to interest in 1996 and the institution including the stock exchange and the the President and in addition was interests when they arise, became NIC Bank PLC. NIC Group PLC central depository and settlement sys- appointed Executive Chairman of the and that James would recently merged with the Commercial tem and all the other persons licensed Kenya Commercial Bank in November recuse himself whenever Bank of Africa to form the NCBA Bank under the Capital Markets Act. It plays 1979. Mr Ndegwa became the third group, whose Kenya bank board is a critical role in the economy by facil- Governor of the the occasion arises. chaired by Isaac Awuondo and James itating mobilization and allocation of in December 1982, an office he held chairs the NCBC Group PLC.

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Simplify your life with In real estate, FCS’ assets include shareowners, customers, employees, execu- programme we are tapping from in order the ICEA LION Centre, Riverside Park, tives, but the institution itself. to appropriately frame James Ndegwa, the Lion Place among others. A good chair unequivocally under- participants agreed that in most cases such FCS has also made forays into other stands his/her role – to lead the board of duality reduces the chair’s effectiveness Absa One Account sectors, including logistics, agriculture, directors. The board is a very special insti- in executing his/her core role – to lead milling and beverages. tution at every company – it meets only a the board. The consensus was that a good Philip Ndegwa died on 7 January few times a year for a few hours, but makes chair gets the board to work seamlessly 1996. As a tribute, the United Nations decisions that define the organisation’s before taking on any additional roles. This released the multi-author research volume destiny for years to come, according to the is James Ndegwa at FCS, at NCBA Group ‘Renewing Social and Economic Progress INSEAD article. and at the CMA. With the Absa One Account for you or your business, in Africa: Essays in Memory of Philip To lead the board is a challenging and Those who sit on the board of CMA Ndegwa’ in the year 2000. noble undertaking, but many chairs are aver that James is a man whose integrity there’s zero maintenance fees and no minimum The upbringing and the influence of not content with this role and try to move cannot be called into question. They pos- balance. Loan limits are higher and repayment his father may have ingrained in James beyond it to leading the company, leading tulate that, State Corporations have very Ndegwa the three main characteristics of its management team or leading its public good procedures, if properly observed, for periods are longer. Plus, whenever you use your good chairs; personal humility; listening, relations’ efforts. In the particular INSEAD managing competing interests when they while challenging and supporting the board arise, and that James would recuse himself Absa Card, you get guaranteed monthly cashback. and the ‘guts’ to do what is right for the whenever the occasion arises. company, not the shareholders, employees James Ndegwa holds a BA (Hons) and or the family. This is what is currently a MA degree from Oxford University. An conceptualized in the corporate governance James Ndegwa holds a BA (Hons) insurer by profession, he is an Associate academic discipline as business sustain- of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) SMS One to 22268 to sign up. ability and creation of social value to all and a MA degree from Oxford and an Associate of the Insurance Institute the stakeholders where a company is doing University. An insurer by profession, of Kenya. He is the Chairman of First business. he is an Associate of the Chartered Chartered Securities (FCS) and a director According to the INSEAD article, it Insurance Institute (UK) and an of several companies. starts with humility. A good chair knows Associate of the Insurance Institute He also served as the managing direc- who they work for and is ultimately of Kenya. tor of Lion of Kenya Insurance until 2003, accountable to the organisation of which before taking over as the chair of the board board they lead. Not its stakeholders – at FCS. www.absabank.co.ke

Terms and conditions apply. is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 38 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 39 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business

director general of Kenya’s Vision 2030 Board, was then and still is, #9 Mugo Kibati a young man, raised well according to the Roman Catholic faith, by one CHAIR OF BOARD: LAKE TURKANA of the country’s top, sharp and most WIND POWER PROJECT (LTWP) astute intelligence officers and polit- ical analysts, Joseph Kibati. It is said that one ignored Joe’s intelligence he problem we have had in Kenya and analysis at their own peril. Africa over the last 50 years is that we have To this day, it is not uncommon had a lot of people… who have focused to see father and son stuck together on wealth acquisition,” said Kibati. “An in a corner of an exotic restaurant entrepreneurT is not an acquirer of wealth. An in the leafy suburbs of Westlands entrepreneur is a creator of wealth. If your goal is or at the Village Market Mall in to acquire wealth, then in your list of strategies… Gigiri on Sundays, after attending anything goes. If you steal it, if you acquire it cor- the Holy Mass, the dad enjoying ruptly, it doesn’t matter.” lunch and a bottle of his favour- Mugo Kibati (second left) when President Uhuru Kenyatta officially inaugurated the 310MW Lake Turkana Wind “My concern when I hear people wanting to ite beer, and Mugo, drinking from Power Project on July 19, 2019. become millionaires or to become rich is our his- the endless fountain of knowledge tory as Kenyans and as Africans. Something must and wisdom that is, his father. On 2030, the official national strategy change because over the last 50 years, this country many of these occasions, Mugo will to transform Kenya into a newly has created many millionaires. I suspect some of be accompanied by his wife, Laila, industrialized country by the year You cannot get ahead in acquiring wealth them are your role models and some of them you herself a respected self-made pro- 2030. Mugo’s knowledge of run- simply by cheating people. You must have watched do whatever they want to do and fessional and an entrepreneur in her ning successful and well governed acquire that wealth because you are therefore you are motivated by them to become own right – founder and Chairman SOE was tapped when he was head- bringing value to the table. If you are a civil millionaires. But I want to challenge this new next of the Africa Digital Media Institute hunted to sit on the important and engineer, you must be proud of the roads… generation of millionaires to be different,” he told (ADMI), a Board member of Centum all-powerful Presidential Task Force the conference audience. and ABSA bank as well as a past on Parastatal Reforms in 2012. the ports, the airports [and] railway lines “Today, I meet young people who want to be Vice Chair of KEPSA. Prior to his 4-year stint in public that you have designed or built. billionaires at 34 and they are 32… You have to Mugo Kibati chairs the board service, Mugo was Group Managing build it and sometimes that requires patience and of the Lake Turkana Wind Power Director and CEO of East African George Washington University. To hard work. If you want to have true long-lasting Project (LTWP) which provides Cables, where he transformed a small broaden his academic horizon, Mugo sustainable wealth, you have to do the hard work 310MW of reliable, low cost, wind Kenyan company into a regional read European Union economics at yourself. You have to be a wealth creator.” power to Kenya’s national grid. It is blue-chip firm with presence in Oxford University. “As a result, many young people venture into the single largest private investment South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and In 2008, he was named a entrepreneurship solely to attain wealth and emu- in Kenya’s history and the largest Rwanda. Young Global Leader by the World late such lifestyles, embarking upon the same lines wind energy plant in Africa. Mugo Mugo has also served on sev- Economic Forum. In 2012, he was of business as the successful business people they was formerly chairman of M-KOPA eral corporate boards: I&M Bank, admitted as a Fellow to the African are trying to emulate, without any knowledge of Solar, an innovative and leading the Apollo Group and has also Leadership Initiative and also that particular industry. This discourages innova- affordable home solar solutions pro- held top leadership positions in the became a member of the Aspen tion,” adds Mugo in the notes for the conference he vider in the world. boards of the Kenya Association of Global Leadership Network. was addressing. He is the CEO of Telkom Kenya, Manufacturers (KAM), the Kenya Mugo was honoured with the “You cannot get ahead in acquiring wealth that provides integrated telecommu- Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), award of Elder of the Order of the simply by cheating people. You must acquire that nications solutions in Kenya and was including the position of deputy Burning Spear (EBS) in 2012; fol- wealth because you are bringing value to the table. the Group CEO of Sanlam Kenya chair at the Federation of Kenya lowing an earlier Order: Moran of the If you are a civil engineer, you must be proud of until March, 2018. Sanlam Kenya Employers (FKE). Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) the roads… the ports, the airports [and] railway is a Financial Services Group, listed Mugo has an undergraduate both of these being Presidential lines that you have designed or built.” on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. degree in electrical engineering from Decorations, by Kenya’s third pres- “We need a critical mass of people who actual- From 2009 to 2013, Mugo was Moi University - Kenya, a Master’s ident, His Excellency, Mwai Kibaki, ly deliver what they promise to deliver.” the founding Director-General of degree in technology management in recognition of outstanding and These are the words of Mugo Kibati speech the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery from the Massachusetts Institute distinguished services rendered to on entrepreneurship, to a young audience in 2011. Secretariat. In that role, he spear- of Technology (MIT) in the United the nation in various capacities and Mugo, the amiable and soft-spoken founder headed the implementation of Vision States (US) and an MBA from responsibilities.

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took on a few days before its chartering and where his term ended last year, by which time KCA had become the second largest private sector university in Kenya, with a formidable reputation thanks to its uplifting culture… actively nurtured by the towering chairman of the university council in part- nership with its visionary vice chancellor, Prof Noah Midamba. In 2015, as Occidental Insurance Company was deciding to re-strategize towards a more ambitious growth trajectory, it invited Mike Eldon to facilitate the devel- opment of a strategic plan that would guide it to the next level. The positive impression he made during the strategy retreat, and the good chemistry that developed between the #10 directors and him, led Occidental Insurance to invite him to join their board as an Mike Eldon independent non-executive director, in line nology and systems were being introduced. with the emerging good corporate gover- CHAIR OF BOARD: OCCIDENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY Through The DEPOT (The Dan Eldon nance best practice and insurance regulato- Place Of Tomorrow), which he formed in ry requirements. 1994 as a living memorial to his son Dan It was not because he enjoyed a back- and whose founder chairman and lead con- ground in the insurance sector but, as he sultant he became, he has worked in many would show during and since the strategy sectors with both international and local event, thanks to his ability to get the best organizations, and in both the private and out of those with whom he works, consis- public sectors – much of the latter through tently bringing his colleagues together as a partners such as the World Bank and GIZ. high-performance team that enjoys working He has been invited to join boards of to a common vision and with healthy values. strategic institutions after offering exem- Mike Eldon took over as chairman from plary services and value addition as a con- Jimnah Mbaru (one of the leading invest- sultant. These include the African Institute ment bankers in Kenya), a major share- for Development Policy (AFIDEP), whose holder. Alongside fellow directors, Jimnah ike Eldon, according to friends broadcast media, where his oratory prow- the latest of which includes the Aga Khan prime focus is to see the actualization wished to comply with contemporary good and peers, is an emotionally ess, gentle demeanor, intellect and wit eas- University Graduate School of Media and Since Mike took over the of the demographic dividend; Occidental governance practice, even as he continues to mature people’s leader, man- ily blended to deliver maximum effect on Communication. This education and the helm Occidental Insurance, Insurance, where – as with AFIDEP – the focus on the company’s sustainable growth agement consultant and NTV’s am live morning talk shows, as an subsequent workshop and leadership expe- a company that was relationship began when he helped them as a director. Mcoach. Tall and elegant, mostly in well-tai- expert panelist on the State of the Economy rience catapulted him into the top echelons develop their strategic plan and also to meet Since Mike took over the helm Occidental lored business suits and matching ties and the Leadership Forum programmes. of leadership development as a co-founder incorporated in 1984 and which industry regulatory requirements and good Insurance, a company that was incorporat- (at least before Covid-19 pandemic), and Due to these exposures and performances of the Institute for Responsible Leadership, started operations in 1987, corporate governance standards; and Davis ed in 1984 and which started operations crispy light-colored sweaters on working behind the podium, Mike is one of the most which was launched in London in 2019. registering Ksh 11 million in & Shirtliff, the water and energy sector lead- in 1987, registering Ksh 11 million in Saturdays, Mike’s influence customarily sought after as a public speaker and facili- Mike became a management consul- gross premium booked in its ers, where he has been a director since 2003 gross premium booked in its first year, has extends beyond specific appointments and tator on a wide variety of topics. tant, focusing on strategy, culture and first year, has expanded its and currently chairs their Board Audit, Risk expanded its broker network, moved into assignments. With a university education that change management after phasing out of broker network, moved into and Compliance Committee. retail business and begun opening branches For instance, as Business Daily’s lon- spanned two globally prominent institu- the ICT industry fifteen years ago, after retail business and begun His commitment to the education sec- around the country. The gross premium gest serving columnist, Mike is considered tions – University College London, where reflecting on how much of what he, as a opening branches around the tor is exemplified through having served underwritten has since rose to Ksh 2.6 an indispensable thought leader by many, he graduated in Economics, and the non-techie, had been focusing on, leading on the council of the Kenya Education Billion as at 2018. whom you ignore at your own peril. A London Business School, where he attend- his own people, making the business case country. The gross premium Management Institute, which is responsible Under its current board and outstanding practical strategist in all aspects of his life, ed the Sloan Fellowship Executive Master’s for investing in technology, and developing underwritten has since rose to for the capacity building of head-teachers managing director Asok Ghosh, Occidental business and personal, Mike reinforces his program – Mike is very comfortable in aca- his clients’ ability to deal with the disrup- Ksh 2.6 Billion as at 2018. and education officers; and having chaired Insurance has benefitted from good cor- written work by his many appearances on demia as an adjunct distinguished faculty, tive change generated whenever new tech- the council of KCA University, which he porate governance practice that has

42 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 43 ANNIVESARY EDITION Africanacity is using scrap metal Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business to make affordable film equipment guided its steady but not unduly dra- anywhere, however senior or junior, irre- matic growth. For it has taken great care spective of age, gender or how many letters to say “no” when it is prudent to do so, Mike is at ease with they place after their name. This is perhaps and in particular to the all-too-common anyone, from anywhere, explained by his diverse background. His We’re inspired by Paul Kihuha who saw a chance to make a undue undercutting of premiums that make however senior or junior, parents are from Romania, so the first lan- difference by turning scrap metal into shooting equipment, claims payment unsustainable. guage he spoke – in which he is still fluent Asok Ghosh is an accomplished eco- irrespective of age, gender – was Romanian. But he was born in Israel making it easier and cheaper for filmmakers to make movies. nomics graduate and a Fellow of the Indian or how many letters they (then Palestine); brought up in England; Insurance Institute, who enjoys vast expe- place after their name. This and moved to Kenya in 1977, where he has At Absa, we call this Africanacity. For us it’s not just a word, rience in all the insurance sectors, and lived ever since. thanks to him and to active board support is perhaps explained by his He says it was joining the Rotary Club it’s a part of who we are and our commitment to working Occidental Insurance has been attracting diverse background. of Nairobi in 1978 that integrated him into with you to find a way to get things done. bright young recruits while developing and this country (he became the Club’s then empowering staff at all levels. Relying on youngest ever Chairman in 1986), and high-trust relationships, it has been rein- marrying Evelyn Mungai further helped #WeLoveAfricanacity forcing an organizational culture that has him see Kenya as his home. (He was the seen Occidental’s reputation as a reliable non-technical skills, not least their emo- editor of her book From Glass Ceilings to absabank.co.ke and responsive organization, enabling it to tional intelligence, so they can negotiate Open Skies.) soar higher within a culturally diverse and win-win outcomes. This implies a give- It was British computer multinational complex industry. and-take culture, where consensus is built ICL that brought him to Kenya, to be the During his time as a director and now around decisions that everyone buys into general manager of their subsidiary here. chairman, and as is customary for him, and owns. His role is to act as coach and He became a pioneer for promoting ICT Mike has applied his skill of grasping the mediator, building positive and ethnical (long before the acronym was coined), essence of any issue and articulating it in mindsets that allow people to enjoy work- including as Founder Chairman of the easy-to-understand ways, both within the ing together, being trustworthy and hence Kenya ICT Federation, and participating in company and with external stakeholders. trusted and empowered. In doing so, Mike’s the development of the country’s first ICT In much of his work, whether as a default style is to engage with a light touch, policy – within the 2005 Poverty Reduction chairman or as a management consultant, and to allow his wit and sense of humour to Strategy Paper. he typically sees himself as an energy generate a friendly atmosphere. He is also a champion for modern aligner, helping others to develop their Mike is at ease with anyone, from management practices, not least when he was chairman of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) at around that time. It was these kinds of positions that led him to be a founder director in 2003 of the private sector umbrella body KEPSA, rising to be its vice chairman and now an active member of its Advisory Council. Mike is a founder chairman of the British Business Association of Kenya (now the Kenya Chapter of the British Chamber of Commerce) and a past inde- pendent non-executive director of Hotpoint Appliances. Those who have worked closely with Mile Eldon over the years aver that he reminds them in all ways but physique of Peter Ferdinand Drucker, the Austrian management consultant, educator, and author, whose writings contributed to the philosophical and practical foundations of the modern business corporation. But Mike has gone steps further; adding media and ICT to his menu.

BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 44 Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 45 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business #11 Martin Luke Oduor-Otieno CHAIR OF BOARD: EABL

As Chairman of EABL and in his various board roles, his focus continues to be inculcating good board corporate governance practices and strong values- ethical business leadership, integrity, respect and diversity in gender, age and skill set, among others. Under his leadership, and with support of the Change Team he appointed in the Treasury, the When Martin took over as steepest of steep organizational pyramids, with CEO, KCB was still very artin Luke Oduor-Otieno is tall and its massive power gaps between levels—not elegant, not at all the exuberant, noisy least between the to-be-feared PS and everyone much in recovery mode from type. He has no need to be centre stage, else—was flattened, and energy began flowing having become a classically no need to be the Big Man. He lets his downwards and outwards towards the intended dysfunctional SOE. Martin built Mcompetence, his courtesy and his conscientiousness beneficiaries rather than inward and upward to speak for themselves, and they do in spades. him as a power PS. on the foundations for revival Martin asks more than he tells, and listens more Hundreds of Change Champions were laid by his two predecessors, than he speaks; he takes no short cuts; and it is for developed, from an initial team of less than Terry Davidson and before him such reasons that he has been sought out to take on ten, as agents of the desired change, and his major responsibilities, largely but not exclusively in influence was breathtaking and invigorating. In Gareth George, formerly also the private sector. He is a practicing Roman Catholic, less than two years, much was achieved under from Barclays Bank. and is married and has children and grandchildren. his leadership, including the formulation of An accountant by background, Martin started the World Bank supported Poverty Reduction his career in the accountancy profession with Pannell Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the Medium-Term ing become a classically dysfunctional SOE. Bellhouse Mwangi (which later evolved into Ernst Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the first seri- Martin built on the foundations for revival laid & Young) before joining BAT and then enjoying a ous policy planning documents to date. by his two predecessors, Terry Davidson and very successful career at Barclays Bank (currently Following his short but transformative term before him Gareth George, formerly also from rebranded in sub-Saharan Africa to ABSA Bank). at the Treasury, Martin returned to Barclays Barclays Bank. Through his volunteer spirit and driven by the Bank, serving in senior positions both in Kenya Upon leaving KCB Group, after leading one urge to help grow a strong accountancy profes- and in South Africa, before being head hunted of the best CEO succession plans in a now blue sion in Kenya, he emerged as the chairman of the and lured into Kenya Commercial Bank. Here chip company, with Joshua Oigara taking the professional accountants’ body, ICPAK, and it was he deputized for CEO Terry Davidson for 18 helm as the Group CEO, Martin became senior from ICPAK and Barclays Bank that Martin was months before taking over from him, in one advisor in the financial services division at parachuted in as part of President Daniel Arap Moi’s of the most well executed CEO succession Deloitte East Africa, a leading audit, consulting, Dream Team as Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry planning in corporate Kenya and expanded the financial advisory and tax services firm, before of Finance and The Treasury. bank’s operations to other countries - South taking up appointment as a non-executive direc- During his time there, Martin Luke Oduor Otieno Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi in rapid tor of Standard Bank Group, headquartered in was at the centre of restoring Kenya’s relationship succession as well as revamping the Tanzania South Africa, British American Tobacco (BAT), with the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World business. East African Breweries Limited (EABL)— Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), When Martin took over as CEO, KCB was where he is now chairman, and Kenya Airways. while transforming the culture within the ministry. still very much in recovery mode from hav- He also continues to sit on the boards of

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GA Life Insurance as well as the SOS Childrens Villages International Senate. As Chairman of EABL and in his var- ious board roles, his focus continues to be inculcating good board corporate gover- nance practices and strong values—ethical business leadership, integrity, respect and diversity in gender, age and skill set, among others. Martin sees these as foundational to driving performance. Certainly, in the throes of COVID-19 pandemic challeng- es, these organizations have demonstrat- ed world class leadership underpinned by these values. Having ‘retired’ from formal execu- tive roles at the end of 2015, he found- ed the Leadership Group Limited, (www. leadershipgroup.co.ke) a firm that offers executive coaching to leaders, as well as consultancy and training in the areas of leadership, governance, strategy develop- ment and execution. Martin has just stepped down as the President of the Kenya Chapter of the council in its formative years. International Coaching Federation at the Martin’s biography, Beyond the Martin has been an adjunct faculty mem- end of 2020 and taken on the role of the Shadows of my Dream, was ber of the Aga Khan University Graduate Chairman of the Africa Executive Coaching published in 2012, and needless to School of Media and Communications, as Council, (www.aeccouncil.com), an institu- well as the Strathmore University Business tion focused on bringing together the play- say, so much more about Martin’s School. ers in the Executive Coaching ecosystem in extraordinary life is laid out there. At the national level, Martin was award- Africa to create greater awareness through ed the 1st Class Order of the Chief of the advocacy and research and advance the Burning Spear (CBS) in recognition of his practice of coaching as a tool for transform- contribution to National Development by ing society. HE President Mwai Kibaki. Other Awards His biography, Beyond the Shadows in his cap include: Fellow of the Institute of my Dream, was published in 2012, of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and needless to say, so much more about (FCPA); Fellow of the Institute of Certified Martin’s extraordinary life is laid out there. Secretaries (FCS); Fellow of the Kenya Martin Luke Oduor-Otieno holds a Institute of Bankers (FKIB) and Fellow Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) degree in of the Institute of Directors of Kenya accounting from the University of Nairobi, (FIoDK), all in honour of his contribution and an Executive MBA that was awarded to the respective professions. He also holds jointly by the Eastern and Southern African the credential of Associate Certified Coach Management Institute and the Maastricht (ACC) from the International Coaching Business School. While CEO of KCB Group, Federation. he attended the Advanced Management Who knows what still lies ahead for Program at the Harvard Business School, this humble man of great achievements. and he was awarded an Honorary One thing is certain though: the amiable Doctorate in Business Leadership by KCA and youthful looking Martin Luke Oduor- University—whose state-of-the-art library Otieno will be making many more great is named after him, in appreciation of his contributions to the development of Kenya great service as chairman of the university’s and far beyond.

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ly successful Public Service Internship Following his appointment to the high Program (PSIP), now in its second year. office of chairman PSC in 2018, Stephen Through the program, the commission #12 found himself strategically positioned to onboarded young university graduates influence a new direction for the pub- and deployed them to ministries, stated, Stephen K. Kirogo, lic service. He has been able to apply and ministerial agencies for one-year paid the public service ideals of honour, trust internship. The commission rolled out the FPRSK, MGH and commitment that he cherishes dear- program in 2019 with the support of par- ly. He is passionate about performance liament which provided the initial funding CHAIR OF BOARD: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION management and inculcating a culture of allocation of Ksh 1 billion. performance in a bid to turn around the The selection process ensured that long-held image of the public service as those recruited represent the face of Kenya, tephen Kinyanjui Kirogo is a Secretary to the Cabinet in the Presidency a corrupt, inept and lethargic institution. based on considerations of merit, ethnicity, career administrator with solid and Cabinet Affairs Office since 2012. His recipe for improving productivity in gender, disability status, minorities and the credentials and a track record He rose steadily through the ranks of the the public service is the implementation marginalized. The interns are deployed in of public service spanning over civil service from humble beginnings as of a measurable performance management areas of their specialization and qualifica- thirty years. His appointment as Assistant Secretary, District Officer, District framework that is underpinned by values tions, and mentored to acquire the relevant Chairman of the Public Service Commission Commissioner, Senior Assistant Secretary, and ethical conduct, performance culture hands-on training, competencies, practical (PSC)S in August 2018 capped an illustrious Undersecretary, Deputy Secretary/Personal and value for money. These are the same skills and experiences required for the job Stephen Kirogo (left) and Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua (2nd left) with some of the winners of the career that began in 1984 as an Assistant Assistant to Head of the Public Service, values Stephen inculcated in State Owned market and entrepreneurship. 2019 Public Service Excellence Awards during the gala ceremony held at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. Secretary in the Office of the President. Secretary to the State Corporations Advisory Enterprises (SOE) during his tour of duty The first cohort of interns had 3,119 Prior to his appointment as PSC Committee (SCAC) and finally to the posi- as Secretary/CEO of SCAC, where he wield- deployed in September 2019 followed by exchequer allocations. Diploma in Business Development from Chairman, Stephen was the Principal tion of Principal Administrative Secretary/ ed tremendous power, but acquitted himself the second cohort with 2,400 deployed in The PSC, in fulfilment of its consti- Inoorero University, a Bachelor of Arts Administrative Secretary/Assistant Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet. with humility and decorum. At SCAC, he January 2020. The third cohort of 2,500 tutional mandate of ensuring efficiency (BA) degree and a second Post Graduate was always in the eye of the storm, with all interns reported to their new workstations and effectiveness in the public service, Diploma in Public Relations and kinds of hurricanes from state corporations on 25 January, 2021. intervened by instituting radical measures Communication from Kenyatta University. and he always managed to calm the raging Pension reform is one of the major to unlock the problem that had for many He is a Fellow of the Public Relations waves, whatever the speed with calmness of the success stories under Mr Kirogo’s years condemned retirees to endless suf- Society of Kenya (FPRSK). unknown in public service. watch. The persistent long delays in pro- fering. A Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) Owing to his long public service career In the short period he has been at the cessing of pensions in Kenya has been a conducted by the PSC in 2019 helped and his active participation in develop- helm of the PSC, the constitutional com- major challenge for the government over to clear the backlog of unpaid pensions ment initiatives such as construction of mission designated with the responsibility the years with serious consequences for within 100-days and subsequently ensured schools and churches as well as raising for managing the human resource in the retirees and their families. This has been timely processing of pensions and a seam- funds to assist needy students pursue entire public service, Mr Kirogo has super- blamed on factors ranging from systemic less transition from salary to pension. education, through what he calls personal intended over the introduction of far-reach- inefficiencies, inadequate manpower and Mr Stephen Kirogo holds an Executive social responsibility (PSR) Stephen has ing reforms in the public sector, guided frequent break-down of the pensions man- Masters in Business Administration positively impacted the lives of many peo- by a transformative strategic plan 2019- agement system due to low absorption of (EMBA) degree and a Post Graduate ple across the country. And in recognition 2024. Indeed, his priority assignment upon of his immense contribution to public replacing Prof Margaret Kobia, the cabinet Following his appointment service and citizens wellbeing, Mr Kirogo secretary (CS) for Public Service, was to was awarded the Order of the Elder of rebrand and reposition the PSC as the to the high office of the Burning Spear (EBS), the Order of engine behind a citizen-centric approach chairman PSC in 2018, the Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS) to service delivery with public servants Stephen found himself and lately the Order of the Moran of the who are accountable to the citizens. The strategically positioned to Golden Heart (MGH) by His Excellency strategic plan 2019-2024 gives him the the President of the Republic of Kenya. all-important pathway he needs to drive influence a new direction Looking at the public service today, the transformation agenda hence his intro- for the public service. He the effectiveness and success of the reforms duction of a new mantra Reform, Perform, has been able to apply the and transformation instituted since Transform Kenya (RPTK) as a rallying call public service ideals of Stephen Kirogo took over the helm at the for public servants to rededicate and be PSC, can be seen through superior public more accountable to the citizens. honour and trust that he service delivery. We shall hear more about The highlight of his transformation cherishes dearly. this amiable public servant in the near agenda is the introduction of the high- future. Of this, there is no doubt.

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as does not enter a room unnoticed, for Railways and Kenya Pipeline. he is a visibly high-energy person. A most He has previously served as Chairman of the successful industrialist entrepreneur, he Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the African has become a key player in the textile Cotton and Textiles Industries Federation, and industry,J running Bedi Investments, a textile the Kenya Apparel Manufacturers Exporters mill that was started by his father and his uncle Association. But there’s more, for he has also in 1972 which manufactures synthetic yarns, served as a Director in the Export Processing #13 woven fabrics and apparel for export to the Zones Authority, the East African Business US, Europe and elsewhere in Africa. He is also Council (for some of the time as its vice chair- executive director of Fine Spinners Uganda, man) and the Federation of Kenya Employers. Jaswinder which spins cotton yarns and manufactures He has been the Vice Chairman of the Kenya sewing threads. India Business Council, and the Co-Chair of the (Jas) Bedi, Early on, the family worried that without World Bank Cotton Apex committee. exports it wouldn’t survive the inflow of low- Jas is a director of the highly influential EBS, MBS cost imports, and indeed in the 1990s cheap Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the imports did begin landing, with many textile private sector umbrella body, and he is a CHAIR OF BOARD: KENYA EXPORT companies shutting down as a result. But by Member of the Young Presidents Organization PROMOTION AND BRANDING AGENCY then Bedi Investments was exporting its fab- (YPO). rics, first to Zimbabwe and later to Europe and He has been tirelessly committed to devel- the US. Watch this space for further ambitious oping export market opportunities, particularly expansion. in trading blocs such as EAC, COMESA, SADC, Wherever he goes, Jas expects, in While running his major factory in Nakuru, TFTA, AfCFTA, USA and the European Union. his own words, to be someone who he has also expanded his production to a facili- Wherever he goes, Jas expects, in his own is MAD and who makes others MAD ty in Uganda, where he is Executive Director of words, to be someone who is MAD and who too. And what does he mean by Fine Spinners Uganda Limited. As soon as the makes others MAD too. And what does he this? To be someone who will Make Covid-19 pandemic hit Kenya, he was as pro- mean by this? To be someone who will Make active as always, transforming his production A Difference. Not just to show up for work, A Difference. facilities and assembly lines to produce masks not just to put ticks in easy Performance and other PEEs in huge quantity. Contracting compliance boxes, but to make a No wonder that on his LinkedIn profile, significant impact. Jas announces that he is a “dynamic personal- He is a strategic and purposeful thinker, ity with ambition to make a difference to our a person who knows both how to jolly people society and community”. For his contributions along and to wield the big stick when neces- to society go way beyond creating jobs and sary. His sense of confident optimism is by no generating export revenue while also indulging means pie-in-the-sky, as his illustrious track in import substitution—all this derived from his record shows. Jas is just the kind of leader the commercial enterprises. co-Covid-19 world needs. In so many ways, he has over the years Aside from his degree in textile technology, been a unique champion far more broadly for Jas has attended numerous executive business job creation and export generation, not least courses at the Harvard Business School, IMD currently as chairman of the recently formed and IIM. His business acumen has been recog- Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency nized by the Government of Kenya, where HE (KEPROBA)—the body set up following the President Mwai Kibaki decorated him with the merger of the Export Promotion Council (where Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2012. he was already a director) and Brand Kenya— Further, in 2016, Jas was nominated as a final- which is now also due to merge with the Kenya ist in the Africa CEO Forum Awards, and he was Investment Authority, the Kenya Tourism Board subsequently proclaimed as Sikh CEO of the and the Kenya Yearbook. year. Thereafter in 2017, HE President Uhuru Jas was recently appointed as one of the Kenyatta decorated Jas with a yet higher award, directors from the private sector to serve on the the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear board of ICDC, after it became the holding enti- (EBS) in recognition of outstanding services ty for the three national transport and logistics rendered to the nation in various capacities and organizations: Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya responsibilities.

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According to Carole, there are a number of very compelling reasons #14 to invest in Kenya, among these, Carole Kariuki Karuga Carole points out, is the fact that Kenya is a strategic location and a CHAIR OF BOARD: SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AUTHORITY gateway to East and Central African region bordering the Indian Ocean. ou cannot omit her name in any lit- 19 pandemic. In calling on the government erature or article on any discourse to undertake an urgent, independent and which gives duty free access to USA and on what or who impacts business transparent audit on the usage of all mon- EU among other markets. The country has in Kenya. If she is not facilitating ies expended on both capital and recurrent an improving Infrastructure that is rela- Yone aspect of business or the other, she is expenditures. When advising on the sourc- tively well developed, including four inter- meeting a business delegation from either ing goods and services under the BuyKenya national airports in Nairobi, Mombasa, within or without the country. BuildKenya mantra and simplifying the Kisumu and Eldoret, an extensive road If she is not steering a committee that world trade concept, ‘we buy from you, you and railway network (including the SGR), is organizing a national or international buy from us. a modern deep-sea port in Mombasa, conference, she is a key speaker, delivering Meet Carole Kariuki Karuga, the queen capable of handling bulk and other con- a well thought, structured and prepared of business and chair of the board at the tainerized cargo, an expanding, liberalized paper in either a conference of high voltage Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), energy sector and digital telecommunica- business people or a group of university a Kenyan statutory body established tion networks. students. If she is not following up the seat in 2015, through an Act of Parliament Carole also cites the vibrant capital of government, judiciary or parliament for (Special Economic Zones Act No. 16 of markets and a pro-markets reforms and the quarterly Presidential, Chief Justice 2015). SEZA is the regulator of all Special continuous improvement on the Ease of or the Speakers round table, she is a key Economic Zones (SEZs) in Kenya and is Doing Business rankings. Other reasons facilitator and most watched presenters in responsible for designing, approving, estab- for investing in Kenya, according to Ms a ministerial or sectorial meeting. lishing, developing, operating, promoting Karuga are low risk investment environ- The quality of her presentations and and regulating SEZs. It also issues licences ment due to the political stability and papers is usually easy to discern: by the and implements government policies and favourable and favourable investment sheer numbers of the important people in programmes relating to SEZs. Further, the macro and micro policies.The government attendance; by the flipping of note pads Authority is in charge of determining the is keen to reducing energy cost and improv- as the delegates take handwritten notes on investment criteria and investment thresh- ing availability, to quote the new chair their note pads of the key deliverables from olds for the businesses in the zones and (SMEs), to enhance technology transfer, Creation of incentives for effective facil- in the region: Kenya is the largest and of the board of Kenya Power, Vivienne her presentation. maintains records of the enterprises and development and innovation, to promote itation of economic and business activities the most advanced economy in East and Yeda, an attorney, banker and economist, Always deeply researched and pow- residents operating in each zone. If all these County and National industrialization by by SEZ Enterprises; and Central Africa; with strong growth pros- who was tapped from the Eastern Africa erfully and meticulously prepared papers is not influence, what is? exploiting comparative advantage of local Removal of impediments to economic pects supported by an emerging, urban Development Bank (EADB) where she is are a much sort after literature by both How does Carole Kariuki Karuga influ- resources. From these responsibilities, a or business activities undertaken by SEZ middle class and an increasing appetite for the Director General (DG). students and lecturers yearning for quality ence and impact business. Carole chairs the diplomat from outside Kenya meeting with Enterprises. high value goods and services. Through organized input from bodies stuff to boost their academic literature. board whose overall objective is to contrib- her for the first time may misconstrue her According to Carole, there are a num- Ms Karuga posits that the country like the Kenya Private Sector Alliance Her opinions span across political, ute towards the transformation of the coun- role and mistake her, as the cabinet sec- ber of very compelling reasons to invest in boasts of a wide market access. Kenya’s (KEPSA) and the East Africa Business economic and social issues that one would try’s economic base in order to realize a retary (CS) for Trade and Industry in the Kenya, among these, Carole points out, is membership to regional economic blocs Council (EABC) Kenya presents a robust confuse her as the chief policy maker at higher and sustained growth, employment government of Kenya. the fact that Kenya is a strategic location assures investors of market access to the and well-established private sector. the Vision 2030 delivery secretariat. From creation and poverty reduction in the coun- SEZs are established in Kenya as one and a gateway to East and Central African local market of approximately 50M peo- Ms. Karuga is also the CEO of KEPSA speaking on the economic framework in try. The specific objectives of the agency she of the strategies towards realizing Vision region bordering the Indian Ocean. Kenya ple, the East African Community (EAC) and is credited with transforming KEPSA response to Covid-19. From giving her leads are to attract both local and foreign 2030 and the Big 4 Agenda. The SEZ is also well suited as a production and market of 180M people and Common from a little-known business institution to opinion on why the government should investments, to expand and diversify pro- Authority mandate includes creation of an distribution base to service Africa, Europe, Market for Eastern and Southern Africa one of the most influential institutions in have delayed the minimum tax, as the duction of goods and services for domestic enabling environment inside and outside of the Middle East, South Asia and other (COMESA) market with 520M people. Kenya and Globally. KEPSA is the apex timing is not right, coming immediately and export markets, to promote value the zones through: Indian Ocean Islands. For a long time, Kenya has been a body of the private sector in Kenya, gal- when the country is reeling under the heavy addition, to promote local entrepreneurship Development of integrated infrastructure Ms Karuga adds that the country beneficiary of several trade preferential vanizing the private sector through pub- weight of the adverse effects of the Covid- through Small and Medium Enterprises facilities; enjoys a liberalized and strong economy arrangements, including AGOA and EPA lic-private dialogue and influencing

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the economic and development agenda of the country and Africa. Carole Karuga holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and International Affairs from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA. She has also pursued several pro- fessional courses on Public-Private Sector Dialogue, Global Leadership and Private Sector Development among others. She currently serves in several boards including: East African Cables PLC, IS Kenya (Internet Solutions) Business Advocacy Fund, Danish Embassy-Kenya, a United States International University–Africa KEPROBA CEO leadership and role in the develop- in 2019, Global Female Leadership Trust, Global Compact Network, Wilfred Marube, ment of the Private Sector includ- Impact Award and Induction into Kenya, and Advisory Board Member, (right) KEPSA CEO ing nomination as one of the TOP the Global Women Leaders Hall Carole Kariuki ACF Women in Business Initiative Karuga during the 25 CEOs impacting business in The of Fame (GWLHOF), by Centre of the Africa, France, Nairobi signing of an MoU 25th Anniversary Special Awards for Economic and Leadership Innovation Lab, Operationalisation on February 9, at Nomination Edition of the Business Development (CELD), during of the Kenya National Convention KEPSA office. Monthly, East Africa Edition, the 2017 South America-Africa- Bureau and Council Member of the January – February 2020, one of Middle East-Asia Women’s Summit National Council of Administrative the Top 100 Women CEOs in Africa, (SAMEAWS), under the patronage Justice chaired by the Chief Justice by Reset Global People in partner- of His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin of Kenya. ship with Pulse, and Avance Media, Maktoum, Dubai-UAE, The Moran Carole previously served on the of the Burning Spear (MBS) 2012 following boards, among others: and Heads of State Commendation Harvard University Center for African (HSC) 2011 by President H.E Mwai Studies, Africa Advisory Board, Kibaki, Top 40 Under 40 Women USA, Business Leaders Caucus in Business Awards Kenya, 2011 Group of Global Partnership for and 2012 consecutively by The Effective Development Cooperation Business Daily, Kenya, Contribution by OECD, France, The Center for to Society Award by Nairobi Chapel Corporate Governance Board, 2011, Kenya, Outstanding Role in Kenya, University Council Member Creating Public Private Partnerships of the Daystar University, Kenya, (PPPs) for Business Growth by ILO Emerging Leaders Foundation, Kenya Women Entrepreneurship Rotary Club of Langata and Growth Development 2011, Role in Growing Oriented Women Enterprises Kenya Sustainable Business Initiative Program (GOWE), Kenya. 2006 by UNDP Kenya, Role in Ms Karuga is a member of sev- the Development of the UN Global eral professional bodies including Carole Karuga holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Compact 2006 by UNDP Kenya. The Rotary Club of Langata, Kenya degree in Economics and Sociology from the In 2012 she was voted Institute of Management (KIM) and University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in ‘Extraordinary Personality to Inspire Institute of Directors (IoD) of Kenya. Public Administration and International Affairs the Future’ by 80% of the 20,000 Ms. Karuga has been recog- from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA. students of the Entrepreneurship nized with several awards for her Clubs of Kenyan Universities.

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ilfred Kiboro joined Nation Since then, the NMG has developed Media Group (NMG) in 1993 into the leading media powerhouse under as the managing director desig- Wilfred as chair, with extensive new expan- nate of the Nation Newspaper, sion and new products, NMG ePaper and withW only the and Taifa Leo Nation. Africa, in a bid to realize his long- in the company’s stable. Under his watch held vision for NMG’s diversification into an in line with the then ongoing regional a minimum of 12 sub-Sahara countries political integration plans, NMG launched within this decade. The East African in 1994, so far, the most Wilfred has a wealth of experience in respected and incisive weekly newspaper in the corporate world and has previously East Africa. served on the board of leading companies In 1999, the NMG made their entry and institutions, both locally and inter- into the electronic media industry after the nationally. These include on the board of liberation of the airwaves, with Nation FM East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and Nation TV. Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Kenya, A proven visionary and transformation- Kenya Association of Manufacturers, al leader and entrepreneur, Kiboro would Rhino Ark and the National Environment soon be appointed by the NMG Board the Management Authority (NEMA). Group CEO in 1995, a position he held with He was chairman of the East Africa respect and honour until retiring in 2006. Business Council and the Kenya Business The now multi-billion NMG expand- Council, the predecessor to the Kenya ed rapidly under Wilfred, buying Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and the majority shareholding in Mwananchi founder Chairman of the Media Owners Communications in neighbouring Tanzania Association (MOA). #15 Dr. Wilfred David Kiboro At NMG Dr Kiboro has been a key and in Monitor Publications in Uganda, and CHAIR OF BOARD: NATION MEDIA GROUP established a strong presence in Rwanda. player in media development across

Wilfred has a wealth of experience in the corporate world and has previously served on the board of leading companies and institutions, both locally and internationally. These include on the board of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Kenya, KAM Rhino Ark and the NEMA.

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the EA region. Together with University of Nairobi, Wilfred Kiboro other media luminaries like Dr SK began his career as a Technical Sales Macharia and lawyers Paul Muite Engineer for Shell International, and and Dr Gibson Kamau Kuria and was swiftly promoted to Technical others, He led the fight tirelessly for Sales Manager, in charge of the man- media freedom and for the liberaliza- ufacturing, sales and marketing of tion of the airwaves, for the widening industrial and road construction of the democratic space and thanks products in the East and Central to them, the country has hundreds Africa region. of broadcast radio and television Kiboro joined Esso Kenya in stations and a vibrant ICT backbone 1974 as a Supply, Planning and and infrastructure. Economics Manager, where he Kiboro has travelled exten- caught the management bug, rising sively, holding numerous nation- quickly through the ranks to serve al, regional and international job in senior positions in Europe, the Far assignments that have seen him East and Africa in numerous areas supervise cross-national teams including construction, project man- across continents, a vote of confi- agement, sales and marketing, oper- dence in his abilities as a change erect over 400 kms electric fence ations and logistics, planning and manager. During these internation- around the forest to protect the crit- strategy, new business development al sojourns, he served as President ical water tower, together with other and general business management. of the International Press Institute, members of the Rhino Ark Board. He is also the chair of the board headquartered in Zurich, with mem- Wilfred Kiboro is also credited for of , Africa Digital bership in over 100 countries. the launching of the Nation Turkana Network and is the Chancellor of Internationally, Wilfred Kiboro Relief Fund in 1999/2000 with the Riara University, a new centre is the chairman of the International other media owners, an appeal that of higher education that boasts a Press Institute (IPI) in Kenya, the rallied all the private sector players modern Law, Business and Media East African Business Summit and a to help cushion the effects of one of Schools, with well-equipped library member of the International Who’s the worst food shortage disaster to with e-learning and a modern media Who of Professionals. He also sits hit our shores. studio. on The Rhodes Trust in Kenya as In the company of environmental Kiboro retired as the Group CEO Honorary chairman and is a mem- stalwarts like Nobel Laurette winner of the NMG in 2006 and spends most ber of the International Organisation the late Wangari Maathai, Wilfred of his time as the Chairman of Wilfay of Employers’ Enterprise Advisory unleashed the power of the media, Investments Limited and looking Group. as the public watchdog and national after his farm always accompanied Today, the pan African spirit in agenda setter to reclaim parts of by his supportive wife, Fatuma. In Kiboro continues to anchor the AU the Karura Forest and the Nairobi between, he finds time to mentor Agenda 2063 on democracy, rule Central Park from then ferocious the youth, new directors of boards, of law, ethical governance practic- land grabbers. academics, and top corporate c-suite es, good governance, inclusivity and After receiving his Bachelor’s executives. improved human rights. To this end, degree in civil engineering from the Among the major nation- Dr Kiboro continues to bring togeth- al, pan-Africa and global awards er government leaders, scholars, pro- Kiboro has travelled extensively, include being bestowed with the fessionals, politicians, scientists, the holding numerous national, Honour of the Order of The Burning youth and so on, through the Kusi Spear by the President of Kenya as a Festival of Ideas, to progress and regional and international job recognition of his hard work, excel- prosecute the Africa agenda 2063. assignments that have seen him lence in whatever he does, patrio- His most impactful CSR engage- supervise cross-national teams tism, selfless service and in recogni- ments have included several envi- tion of all the responsibilities he has ronmental and humanitarian efforts across continents, a vote of held in the country; the Leadership during his tenure at NMG, two key confidence in his abilities as a Shines Through – Africa and the ones being the launching of the change manager. ICT Hall of Fame – 2007 Lifetime Aberdare Forest Fund in 2002 to Inductee.

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nknown to many Kenyans, Dr Joe Wanjui is a consummate family man, industry captain and shrewd king-maker. And, according to him, Kenya’s political scene would have been more stable today had Raila Odinga been appoint- Ued prime minister in 2003. Dr Wanjui was a respected member of the then political and economic think tank. Indeed, the transformation that is much hyped about the University of Nairobi, including improved corporate governance structures and ethical leadership in Kenya’s premier seat of learning, is thanks to his leadership of the institution, as the first non-President Chancellor of the university. It is during his tenure that the University recruited the Vice Chancellor competitively, Professor George Magoha, current CS Education and facilitating his advanced management training at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Prof. Magoha, through the support of Dr. Joe Wanjui, implemented phenome- nal transformational change that led to growth, through perfor- mance-based change management and firm leadership. Born on 24 May 1937, the Ohio Wesleyan and Columbia University trained engineer became the Chairman of the UAP Old Mutual Group on 8 November 2007. Prior to this, he served as Chairman of the UAP Insurance Company from 1998 to 2015. He has been a director within the Group since 1986. As Chairman of UAP Insurance, he influenced the Group’s deci- sion to grow regionally and this saw UAP venture into Uganda and South Sudan, and subsequently Rwanda and Tanzania. This led to the formation of UAP Holdings Plc which successfully listed its shares on the Over-the-Counter market at an initial offer price of Kshs. 60 per share. The share currently trades at Kshs. 160. The strong presence of UAP within East Africa attracted Old Mutual to invest in UAP when seeking to grow its footprint in the region. This culminated into a merger between the two entities and the birth of a new brand – UAP Old Mutual in 2015 and the launch of the region’s first integrated financial services group offering insurance, investment, savings and banking to help customers plan for, grow and protect their personal and business ambitions. In his role as the Group Chairman, Joe, as he is affectionately known to his friends and peers, has provided stewardship to the board and management to actualize the group’s ambition to be the largest integrated financial services group in East Africa. #16 Additionally, under his visionary leadership, the group continues to positively impact communities through various initiatives including; refurbishment of major public hospitals in Kenya and South Sudan, Dr. Joseph Barrage Wanjui CBS medical camps across Kenya, financial education, planting trees to CHAIR OF BOARD: UAP OLD MUTUAL GROUP conserve Kenya’s water towers, and providing scholarships, funding and learning materials and infrastructure to very needy public schools. His prior experience includes; Chief Executive Officer of East Africa Industries (which later became Unilever) and Chairman of CFC Stanbic Bank in Kenya. He was also appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi in June 2003 by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki CGH. The University of Nairobi conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to their new Chancellor in May 2004. A man of many firsts, Dr. Wanjui was the first African Chairman of the Rotary Club of Nairobi.

62 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 63 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business When was the last time you woke up

Dr. Wanjui sits as a Board to stunning sights of scenic cities? Member in a number of limited liability companies including: Bawan Holdings, Wishbone, Kikuyu Reconnect with the beautiful views of Europe. Highlands Tea Company, Tiwi Beach Hotel, Camp David Retreat, Olemonana Enterprises and Hakika. Dr. Wanjui’s vast experience Enjoy special fares on these Europe Destinations stems from his lengthy career in the Origin Destination Economy Class Business Class private sector and the national gov- Fares from Fares from ernment. Immediately after his uni- Nairobi Newcastle USD 1015 USD 2847 versity education, he joined ESSO Nairobi Glasgow USD 996 USD 2788 Executive Trainee Program in New Nairobi Edinburgh USD 991 USD 2846 York. He returned to Kenya with Nairobi Aberdeen USD 1003 USD 2987 ESSO in 1964. He left ESSO on a Nairobi Belfast USD 1010 USD 2991 5 year leave of absence to become Nairobi Manchester USD 900 USD 2722 Executive Director of Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) where he was Book now. Chief Executive Officer for four years before returning to the private sector. For more information, visit your nearest Kenya Airways Offi ce or In his tenure at ICDC, he provid- nizations that would bring growth call our 24hr contact centre on +254 (0) 20 3274747/ +254 0711 02 4747/+254 0734 10 4747, or your prefered travel agent ed strategic and leadership insights Dr. Wanjui’s vast experience stems and development in Africa and the which led to the development of world at large. He has attended and Kenya National Trading Corporation from his lengthy career in the presented papers at many local and (KNTC) which was meant to help private sector and the national international conferences and semi- Kenyans enter the supply chain of government. Immediately after nars. He is the author of three very wholesale and distribution network popular books: The Native Son, My of consumer products. This led to the his university education, he joined Native Roots and From Where I Sit launch of the first crop of large-scale ESSO Executive Trainee Program in with Views of an African Executive. African traders in the country. Dr. New York. Dr Joe Barrage Wanjui holds a BA Wanjui also played a key role in the degree in Physics and Mathematics establishment of Kenya Industries from the Ohio Wesleyan University Estate (KIE) with the purpose of company always registered a steady and a MSc. Degree in Engineering helping Africans venture into small- growth in profits and turn over. from Columbia University (USA). scale industries. In recognition of his exemplary Dr. Wanjui is inspired to person- After ICDC, Dr Wanjui joined contributions to positive change in ally offer a glance of his corporate East Africa Industries (EAI) now society and his dedicated service to and philanthropic life thanks to the Unilever where he worked for 28 the nation, he was awarded the Chief recent events following the disputed years starting as the technical direc- of the Order of the Burning Spear US elections. Quoting him verbatim, tor then managing director and final- (CBS) of the Republic of Kenya in ‘I mention all this because Abrams ly the Executive Chairman. While at 2004. and Groh-Wargo were somehow Unilever, he initiated a policy that He founded Joe B. Wanjui able to bring their organizing skills would soon launch the company Education Trust in 2004 with the to bear on the general election in in attracting high calibre Africans aim of promoting university edu- November and the Senate runoffs to train and enrol in the company cation to bright but needy female in January despite the coronavirus in anticipation of the post-indepen- students. The fund is funded solely pandemic. Now they are sharing dence era. He implemented the pol- by Dr. Wanjui and has so far given their advice on “How to Turn Your icy first in his technical department grants to over 400 students in vari- Red State Blue.” It’s not hard to see and later on, cascaded it in the whole ous universities from all over Kenya. Abrams’s community-minded faith organization, after his appointment Dr. Joe B Wanjui’s interests are or Groh-Wargo’s strategic tenaci- as the managing director. In his ser- golfing, farming, traveling, reading, ty in the piece they have written vice as the executive chairman, the sharing his experience with orga- together’.

64 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 65 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business #17 Vivienne Yeda CHAIR OF BOARD: KPLC

uring the 43rd Annual General indicators (KPI) are already in the out-tray, Meeting (AGM) held on November with actions already taken to roll out the needed 13, 2020, the UK trained schol- interventions. ar, banker and attorney, Vivienne The board, under Vivienne has already tar- To enjoy the distinction Yeda was elected the Chairman of geted to grow revenue by enhancement of rev- of being a member of an the board of Kenya Power Lighting Company enue protection efforts, rationalization of elec- august club of women (knownD daily as Kenya Power-KP) breaking the tricity and an easier to administer billing system business leaders at the glass ceiling, becoming the first woman to lead that also includes an efficient self-meter reading, top echelon in the country, the board of the strategic utility firm. followed by prompt issuing of invoices and reduc- reminds her of her career The appointment of Vivienne Yeda is no ing the turnaround time for making payments to surprise for those who have worked with within two weeks. journey and the lessons her before. Vivienne is the Director General Indeed, the board’s vision for Kenya Power learnt along the way that (DG) of the East African Development Bank is to become a reliable, predictable, trusted and she brings into her role (EADB). Prior to her appointment as the CEO provider of affordable electricity to Kenyans. ‘We as chair of the KP board: at EADB, Vivienne was Resident Representative want to be a customer-centric company, sharply resolve, prayer and hard and Country Manager-Zambia at the African focused on providing power to Kenyans, and be work. Development Bank Group (ADB). the preferred provider of power, because Kenya Vivienne, as Chairman, is expected to lead Power provides an excellent service. Together we the turnaround of KP to provide sustainable will restore and enhance the image and fortunes energy to the Kenyan economy, energy that is of this company. We are focused on getting Kenya both affordable, reliable and sustainable. The Power to where it belongs, amongst the most affordability aspect of energy is critical to the successful and admired companies in Kenya and social and economic development of a country. Africa’ opines Vivienne. It is also part of the critical drivers recognized Thanks to the oversight of--the new board, and flagged as fulfilling one of the 30 UNSDGs. improvement in operational performance at KP Vivienne will be leading the new KP board is noticeable, with year to date of 140,000 new in planning for adequate electricity generation customers connected against a target of 125,000 and distribution to meet demand; build and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, since the last maintain the last mile transmission network AGM. and retail electricity to both corporate and KPLC has in its immediate term plans of individual households effectively and efficiently. introducing additional revenue streams, includ- Among the priority areas already identified ing solar as well as partnering with county gov- by Vivienne is inculcating an integrity culture, ernments, to make each a regional profit centre. instituting good corporate governance practice This action is expected to shove up the numbers. and re-engineering KP organizational perfor- The new board plans to follow up on the mance management structures to help move the Government’s extension of a moratorium on utility firm back to profitability. concessional loans it had procured on behalf of In KP latest interaction with the consumers, Kenya Power, as among the initiatives the state the firm has embarked on offering customers should be employing to help the company find a the level of service desired, including access to firm financial footing and health. power through efficient and prompt connectiv- Also on the radar is a strategy for effi- ity, including an improvement on the reliability cient debt collection especially from other state index by reducing outages to the bare minimum departments, government agencies, state owned and prompt billing. These key performance enterprises (SOEs) and county governments.

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out balanced and cost effective power production agreements, motivated employ- ees among the list of short- and long-term focus areas. With KP wading into an increasingly competitive business space with, for exam- ple, solar energy being seen as a big threat now and into the future, Vivienne discloses that the board is already implementing a strategy to secure the power market and ensure that the KP remains the energy solutions provider of choice into the future. Kenya Power is agnostic about how power is generated. KP takes in power from all sources—hydro, wind, solar, and geother- mal. Vivienne is up to the task, as board chair at Kenya Power, considering her According to Vivienne, the few remains an attractive investment option for achievements at the EADB where she has months she has been at KP have been both domestic and foreign investors. KP’s helped to restructure management of many fascinating. She avers that despite all the strategy is to work in partnership with poorly performing firms and successfully negative stories about the company, Kenya producers to provide clean, green ,reliable turn them around, through prudent man- Power is a fascinating, complex business, and affordable energy . KP will look after agement advisory and offering development full of first-class people who want to do its own business to ensure that it is the financial packages that have supported and well. She reminds us not to forget that best reliable and affordable energy solution developed into some of the best companies the company continues to do something provider. KP will also build on its partner- in the East African region. Most of the firms that many other countries envy: distribute ship the other sector institutions including developed or restructured under Vivienne’s electricity regularly, despite an aging infra- EPRA, GDC, KETRACO and KENGEN to watch at the EADB have since become structure and distribution system. ensure efficiency and containment of costs blue chip companies, generating new assets To Vivienne, it is her task and the board in the sector. and profitable, consistent and quality sus- she leads to focus the company on its basic Already, a strategy paper has been tainable growths in the critical sectors of mandate, to allow staff to use the incredible developed and will act as a guide for the the region’s economy including agriculture, talents they have to grow KP into world board going forward. The new board is manufacturing, education, banking, trans- class supplier of electricity. aligning KP to the global structural chang- port and communications. She lists the following as the board’s es, including climate change and energy To Vivienne, the appointment to the short-term priorities which will lead to the distribution and consumption efficiency. To chair of the KP board is a great and per- start of the turnaround: to stabilize the cash this end, Vivienne lists customer focus, cus- sonal honour and privilege . KP is critical position in order to provide KP with a plat- tomer service and purposeful well-thought- to Kenya’s well being on all fronts: econom- form for recovery and growth. She states ic, health, education - you name it, and the that the board is paying close attention to likelihood is that every aspect of the life of operational costs while pushing for debts With KP wading into an increasingly all Kenyans has a need for available, reli- collection and prompt billing and payments able and affordable power. To be appointed of amounts as they fall due. competitive business space with, for to a leadership role in such an institution The board under Vivienne will first example, solar energy being seen as is both a great honour and an enormous instituting measures for effective and a big threat now and into the future, challenge. efficient running of KP before thinking Vivienne discloses that the board is Vivienne Yeda states that to enjoy the of imposing a tariff increase, to cushion already implementing a strategy to distinction of being a member of an august Kenyans from the current financial bur- secure the power market and ensure club of women business leaders at the top dens arising out of an economic down that the KP remains the energy echelon in the country, reminds her of her turn occasioned by effects of the Covid-19 solutions provider of choice into the career journey and the lessons learnt along pandemic. The cost of energy to KP and the way that she brings into her role as subsequently to the consumer will be the future. chair of the KP board: resolve, prayer and key focus of the Board to ensure that Kenya hard work.

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NSE CEO Chairman Kiprono Kittony speaks during a bell ringing ceremony.

partnering with others where there is a knowledge or skills gap’, Kip explains. To illustrate this, he points to his diverse business interests, which have I wear many hats, and this requires a expanded over the past three decades to cover real commitment in terms of time and media, technology, telecommunications, agricul- networks. You need to put time into ture and hospitality. building teams and networks. You can’t do “I wear many hats, and this requires a real commitment in terms of time and networks. You everything alone. Even Bill Gates has 24 need to put time into building teams and networks. hours a day and needs a team. You can’t do everything alone. Even Bill Gates has 24 hours a day and needs a team,” he quips. Kiprono Kittony was awarded the Elder of Kittony loves to network. “As chairman of the the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) by HE KNCCI and a business man, Kip has travelled to the President of Kenya on Dec 12 2019 for his #18 over 75 countries. In the course of these travels, he contribution and for distinguished services to the has built a database in excess of 10,000+ contacts country, in the sphere of business leadership. consisting of professionals, businesspersons, inves- Highlights in Kittony’s life include: Founding Kiprono Kittony tors and government officials. Networks help if you Chairman of Radio Africa Group, a leading media want to progress in any meaningful endeavour,” house, vice chairman World Chambers Federation CHAIR OF BOARD: NSE he says. in Paris, where he represents Africa, chairman So, with all this on his plate, did he manage to of My Jobs in Kenya, a leading jobs portal, CEO study Law? Yes. Kittony holds two degrees from of Capital Realtime, one of the top 10 Safaricom iprono Kittony is the current law, but as fate would have it, I was realized my dad was right; I had the poten- 10,000+ the University of Nairobi. Bachelor of Commerce dealerships, chairman of Mtech Communications, chairman of the Nairobi Securities enrolled for Commerce at the University tial to be a good businessman. But I also and Bachelor of Law. He also holds a Global a leading pan-African tech firm, chairman Exchange, the leading securities of Nairobi. Dad told me, ‘don’t worry, you learnt something else in those early days, contacts Executive MBA from USIU-A in conjunction with CreditInfo CRB Kenya, chairman of Betway in exchange in East and Central have always had the potential to be a good something valuable that has served me to Columbia University. Kenya, director and member of advisory council Africa.K businessman,’ narrates Kittony, who is the this day. You can’t bank potential, you have _Kip has travelled to He loves to spend his free time with his family, of IFHA (International Fund for Health in Africa), If you ask Kip how he became a lead- immediate past national chairman of the to work hard,” he says, adding that “hard over 75 countries. In the both in Nairobi and at his farm in Kitale, where an Amsterdam based private equity fund and past ing figure in Kenyan business circles, he Kenya National Chamber of Commerce work has played a huge role in my business course of these travels, he grows and processes coffee, keeps dairy cattle, chairman of the Media Owners Association, an will tell you it was by mistake. Kiprono and Industry (KNCCI), where he is credited journey, a bigger role than my knack for he has built a database a few horses and ensures Sirwo Resort and Cranes influential lobby group of the media industry and Kittony, who is also the Vice Chair of the with modernizing and restoring the organ- business.” in excess of 10,000+ Haven, two luxury hotels his family operates in the AAR Insurance. World Chambers Federation (WCF) always ization to its glory during his two terms as But what does hard work look like contacts consisting the area, live up to their reputation for excellence He is also a director at the Central Depositary of professionals, wanted to study Law, despite his long and Chair (2012-2019). for Kip, as Kittony is fondly called by his businesspersons, for the benefit of their customers, who frequent and Settlement Corporation. He actively mentors distinguished career in business today. “In my early days in business, when friends? ‘To me, it is being constantly investors and the two hospitality setups from all over Kenya and the youth and regularly participates in several “As a young man, I wanted to study the pull to study Law was very strong, I curious, putting in the effort to learn and government officials. from Uganda. philanthropic projects.

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hen President Uhuru Kenyatta plucked General (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe out of He has held various command retirement and appointed him the chairman of the KenGen board, it was the latest in a appointments including Vice Chief trendW where military generals, both serving and retired, of the Defence Forces, Commander are heading key government institutions in the strategic Kenya Navy, Deputy Commander security, transport and energy sectors. Gen (Rtd) Mwathethe retired from the military in Kenya Navy, Kenya Navy logistics May 2020 after serving for close to four decades. He rose Commander, Base Commander from a seaman to head the defence forces and become Mtongwe and Fleet Commander. the principal military adviser to the President and the National Security Council. “General (Rtd) Mwathethe brings to the KenGen Defence, Command of individual Kenya Navy Ships, board immense wealth of experience in strategy and SOII Operations at Navy Headquarters, 86 Squadron leadership, which will steer KenGen on our noble man- Commander, and SOI Co-ordination at the Department #19 date to generate reliable, safe and competitively priced of Defence. electric energy for the nation and diversify the business His professional and military training include to expand the revenue streams,” Ms Rebecca Miano, the International Sub-Lieutenants Course (UK), International General (RTD) KenGen MD and CEO, said in a press statement, wel- Principal Warfare (IPWO) Course (UK), Missiles Course coming the chairman. (ITALY) and the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich Samson Mwathethe General (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe, is a Kenyan mil- (UK) in 1989. He also attended the Defence Resource itary officer. Effective April 2015 to May 2020, he was Management Course in Monterey, USA in 1998, and the EGH MBS DCO the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Kenya Defence National Defence College in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000. Forces (KDF), the highest appointment in the Kenyan He also served with the United Nations as a Military ‘ndc’(K) ‘psc’ (UK) armed forces. Observer in Kuwait/Iraq and Yugoslavia in 1991/92. His General Mwathethe was the Chief of Defence Forces, decorations include Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO) his last promotion and appointment on 17 April 2015. Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) among others. CHAIR OF BOARD: KENGEN He has held various command appointments including General Samson J Mwathethe was born in Malindi Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Commander Kenya and educated at Shimo La Tewa and Sacred Heart High Navy, Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Kenya Navy Schools Mombasa, before joining the Kenya Navy in logistics Commander, Base Commander Mtongwe and April 1978. He was commissioned in 1980 as a Seaman Fleet Commander. His other appointments includ- Officer after attending Britannia Royal Naval College, ed Chief of Systems & Procurement, Department of Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom (UK).

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The team comprises of the State Department of Trade, Kenya Police, #20 Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, The Anti- Counterfeit Authority, The Pharmacy Flora Wanjiru and Poisons Board, The Kenya Copyright Board, Pest Control Products Board, Kenya Plant Health Mutahi Inspectorate Service among others. Critical to the enforcement effort, CHAIR OF BOARD: ANTI PIRACY the need to address the demand side AND COUNTERFEIT AGENCY of illicit trade was formulated. It came up with public outreach frame- work dubbed the “Multi Agency Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach”— oining the leadership role of the Anti- (MAAITO) for public outreach Counterfeit Authority (ACA) from being programs coupled with leveraging the chair of the Kenya Association of different types of media including; Manufactures (KAM) is one of the hardest social media (Twitter, Facebook), live leadershipJ tests in her career life since she was chats (#kuwalegit chat platform), largely involved in the private sector. TVs, radio stations, print media and Mrs. Mutahi was the first female chair of the others, to pass the message. Since taking the position of the chair of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers board since Flora Mutahi’s success areas in its inception in 1959, a position she held from the last three years after its forma- ACA, Flora has been at the forefront of instilling July 2016 to 2018 when she joined the Anti- tion in April 2018, the team seized a service mentality within the authority. To make Counterfeit Authority. illicit goods worth over Ksh13 bil- the authority a service-oriented government During her tenure as chair of KAM, she initi- lion across the country. ated a private-sector led advocacy initiatives that Illicit Goods worth over Ksh2.8 agency in the 21st century. focused on improving and championing business Billion have since been destroyed competitiveness and conducive environment for with the rest still in courts awaiting trade in the country. determination. Notable support has 1000 enforcing agencies in all major petitive tea manufacturing, brand- Since taking the position of the chair of the come from none other than HE towns and entry points. ing and packaging industry, and ACA, Flora has been at the forefront of instilling President Uhuru Kenyatta participa- The multi-agency team, through with little relevant background she a service mentality within the authority. To make tion in July 2018, where illicit goods funding from Trade Mark East Africa decided to launch Melvin Marsh the authority a service-oriented government agen- worth Ksh1.6 Billion were destroyed undertook the first Kenya’s national International, building a tea compa- cy in the 21st century, her first role was to bring in Athi-River, in Machakos County baseline survey on the extent of ny from scratch. together all stakeholders right from the private under multi-agency formation. illicit trade. According to the survey Within the Melvin Teas label, sector, government agencies and the consumer From the outreach efforts, over conducted between October 2019 Flora’s company produces flavored bodies into a partnership in the war against 225 judiciary officers have been and February 2020, the government and herbally infused teas, which are counterfeits. trained on the protection and revenue lost in 2018 stood at Kes sold not only in Kenya but around Through her advocacy skills, the government enforcement of intellectual property. 102.99 billion up from Kes 101.23 sub-Saharan Africa and indeed realized that to curb all forms of illicit trade, it This was done with support from the billion in 2017. beyond in global markets. required the coordinated efforts of different gov- judiciary training institute (JTI) and Mrs Mutahi attributes her suc- In 2015 the company launched ernment agencies. This led to the formation of the US department of homeland security cess as chair of ACA as an out- Melvin’s Tea House, with the aim of inter-agency anti-illicit trade executive forum and & customs border protection (CBP) come of partnership and stakeholder capturing the wider consumer mar- technical working group (the Multi Agency Team and joint operation centre (JOC) support. We sought and responded ket and making tea an “Out of home” for combating illicit trade) in July 2018. training with the border manage- to every stakeholder input towards refreshment. There is a plan to roll The Committee came up with ‘The National ment committee (BMC). The author- making Kenya a counterfeit free out many more outlets. Action Plan and Implementation Framework to ity has also trained over 300 senior country. Melvin Marsh International has Combat Illicit Trade 2019/2020 – 2021/2022’. police officer station commanders at Back in the 1990s, Flora Muhahi metamorphosed into a fully-fledged the Kiganjo Police College and over noticed a gap in the fiercely com- food processing company that

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blends and packages Kenyan tea, salt and rice products under the brand name Melvin’s, with Melvin, as a household brand, being the largest flavored tea com- pany in Kenya. A keen student of strategic manage- ment, Flora has structured Melvin Marsh International into a mature professional organization, complete with an indepen- dent board of directors to oversee and strengthen management and infuse strate- gic thinking and best practice in corporate governance and business ethics. As a result, Melvin Marsh International has scooped several awards such as the Top 100, Fire awards for financial reporting, and most promising entrepreneur. Flora’s visionary nature saw her diver- sify into the real estate sector, under the name AZIZI Realtors, with an initial focus relishing the opportunity to uplift women in and around Lavington. AZIZI Realtors entrepreneurs and to help them prosper deals in sales, rentals and property man- Flora herself is of course an in the still male-dominated manufacturing agement. entrepreneur, but one who sector. To cushion the upcoming women Flora herself is of course an entrepre- has gone way beyond what entrepreneurs from the devastating effects neur, but one who has gone way beyond of the Covid-19 pandemic, Flora estab- what most business founders invest in by most business founders lished the Melvin’s mentorship program way of their own personal development. invest in by way of their in 2020. So far, 30 women have benefitted. Her outstanding character has led her to own personal development. While she was chair of KAM, Flora acquire extensive local as well as inter- spearheaded a new chapter for Women in national experience in practical strategic Manufacturing (WIM) – whose current leadership and in business development chairperson she is – whose mission is to – including in how to penetrate new inter- encourage more women to join the sector. national markets. She has a proven ability Flora earned an MBA degree from the to innovate, conceptualize and implement University of Cape Town, following her BSc new product development. degree in Finance and Accounting from the Flora remembers that “back in the UK. She is also well grounded in corporate 1990s, everyone thought you should choose governance, having attended several train- a profession, like a doctor or a nurse. ing programmes on the subject, including Business was for those people unable to with the Centre for Corporate Governance. find careers.” But given her own life jour- And she holds a post-graduate diploma in ney since then she now spends much of Executive Business Coaching. her time advising young people to become Flora also sits on the boards of the business women and men as their first Kenya chapter of the UN Global Compact choice. For sure, when she was chairperson Kenya and in New York, of KEPSA of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (through having chaired KAM), and SBM (KAM) (the first woman to hold that Bank Kenya. hitherto male-dominated position), under She is married to Mutahi Wariithi, an her leadership the body tried very hard to accomplished architect and co-founder attract SME business owners in the manu- with her of AZIZI Realtors. They are bless- facturing sector so they could be nurtured ed with three children, and to take her by KAM. mind off business, she enjoys playing golf She is a passionate mentor, particularly and travelling.

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hile sharing his 14 year-jour- as the chairman of National Bank, ney as the chair of board at the Agricultural Finance Corporation #21 Nicholas Nganga the blue chip Safaricom Plc (AFC), East African Portland Cement during an exclusive interview Company (EAPC) Tea Board of Kenya, CHAIR OF BOARD: KAKUZI PLC withW NTV Weekend Edition, Nicholas and was the first chairman of Kenya Nganga revealed that until Peter Pipeline Company (KPC). In addition, Ndegwa, ‘no Kenyan had been found for he served as vice-chairman of coun- the CEO’s position at Safaricom Plc, East cil of the University of Nairobi (UoN) In addition to Safaricom, the career Africa’s most profitable company’. and as a commissioner on the Electoral chairman has been at the helm of Safaricom Plc needed a CEO with Commission of Kenya (ECK). extensive commercial and financial ser- Nicholas Nganga joined Safaricom 6 more than six different companies vices knowledge and experience at the May 2004 as a director and appointed and currently at the helm of the global level, to be able to cope with the to chair the board on 16 January 2007. boards of Car & General, G4S and the fast-evolving technology, Nganga dis- In addition to Safaricom, the career fishing and farming conglomerate closed in the interview, and that he con- chairman has been at the helm of more Kakuzi Plc, the most recent sidered serving Safaricom as a personal than six different companies and cur- appointment as chair of board. call. rently at the helm of the boards of Car Nganga further revealed that while & General, G4S and the farming con- appointing Bob Collymore, the board, glomerate Kakuzi PLC, the most recent under his chairmanship mandated him appointment as chair of board. to identify and develop a Kenyan to take over from him. Although he unfortunate- ly passed on before conclusion of the Already under Nganga’s process, Bob Collymore was involved in leadership, the Kakuzi the selection of his successor. In came Peter Ndegwa. This demonstrates how board has agreed on the Nick, as he was affectionately known in creation of a separate the days as the chairman of the Marlboro human rights advisory Safari Rally organising committee, seri- ously took his calling to the Waiyaki Way committee. based Safaricom’s chairman’s office. For those who know him and have been privileged to work alongside him, Kakuzi PLC is a listed Kenyan agri- Nicholas Nganga has been and remains cultural company trading on both the a disciplined and fair chair of board and Nairobi and London Stock Exchange a man of integrity in all the public and engaging in the cultivation, processing corporate service positions he has held. and marketing of avocados, blueberries, Polite and soft-spoken, and no push macadamia, tea, livestock and commer- over, Nick was considered highly edu- cial forestry. cated, what with a BA degree from While not willing to comment on Makerere University, then the citadel of Kakuzi matters, Nick expressed great university education in East Africa. He confidence in the future of the company was a light among a breed of indigenous as a leader in export oriented commer- Kenyans who joined the public service at cial agriculture and its contribution to Independence and rose to the position of the economy of the country. Permanent Secretary (PS). Nganga’s tour That is Nick Nganga, a chair of of duty included stints in key govern- board whose influence has and continue ment ministries, including Treasury (two to permeate through all the strategic sec- times) Foreign Affairs and Health. tors of the economy and impacting on all He also served in public service nature of business in the country.

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what was working well and what needed improvement. #22 I discovered a couple of things. As earlier mentioned, KPC has a highly trained and competent team. Rita Okuthe In addition, it is easy for the peren- CHAIR OF BOARD: KENYA nial critics to take for granted what PIPELINE COMPANY PLC KPC does…we keep the country moving, literally. If Kenya was to wake up one morning to a shortage “The ageless science of leadership is or total lack of petroleum and fuel to create an alignment of strengths products like it indeed happen in in ways that make the system’s other countries, the country would weaknesses irrelevant” grind to a halt. Secondly, I learned that gov- - Peter Drucker. Outgoing KPC Board Chair John Ngumi (R) hands over to incoming Board Chair Rita Okuthe (L) in a brief ceremony at Kenpipe Plaza, Nairobi. ernment has the most elaborate framework of processes and systems to cover every anticipated business pon my appointment as a director need, with the framework so elabo- to the Board of Kenya Pipeline rate that there is a cure for every sit- Company (KPC) in 2018, I was uation under the various government surprised. Having been a private legislative Acts and regulations that Usector professional all my life, I could not govern state corporations. comprehend how I would add value to the But there are a few challenges. public sector and more so at KPC that, at The systems and processes are not the time fraught with numerous challenges, always adhered to by those entrust- including a very bad and unreasonably ed with the management of the antagonistic media. state corporations. Most SOEs are Most of my peers and friends warned very inward looking and while the me that I was likely to go down a slippery human resource is educated and well slope and if history was anything to go trained, commercial acumen in deci- by, many career private sector individuals sion making has not been that well- like myself have never cracked the public Rita Okuthe (right) with H.E. Governor of Mombasa Hon.Hassan Ali Joho (left) cut a ribbon to honed. In most of the organizations, service and, instead are often cracked by it. officially open the refurbished Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital new born unit and culture is the biggest contributor One of the things that always intrigues Ward 9. as an impediment to the effective me is how well the private sector entities service delivery and this generally thrive and why the public, rarely. Having As a Kenyan who had been a impacts negatively on the employing worked at Safaricom for 11 years, I was part of the success of building East Since I took over as the chair morale. acutely aware of just what resounding and Central Africa’s largest compa- Unlike most of the SOEs, KPC success looked and felt like. I often won- ny, Safaricom Plc, I was faced with of the board, KPC is evolving has had a successful run, thanks der what hinders the public sector from two options upon my appointment: into a customer centric SOE, to the firm management style and thriving, given that the public and the sit on the sidelines and criticize the always thinking about the financial discipline introduced by private sector co-exist in the same busi- public sector by pointing out to the customers first, always. We the previous chair of the board, John ness ecosystem. And, though the challenges nth detail what wasn’t working or remind ourselves constantly Ngumi. So, for instance, KPC paid could be different, both the public and the be the change I wanted to see and that we exist to transport dividends totalling Ksh 18.4 billion private sector enjoyed one thing in com- make my country a better place petroleum products on behalf to the Exchequer. My challenge as mon, extremely good and well trained and for future generations, one step at of our customers and the more the chair of the board, therefore, is developed human capital. a time. to figure out how the board should In fact, I would aver that the public Fast forward, upon my joining we improve our efficiencies provide leadership to build and scale sector has very skilled and highly trained the board at KPC, I kicked off my across all customer touch up on this success. individuals, the one thing the government tenure as the chair of the board points, the better experience Since I took over as the chair invests heavily on is in the training and audit committee. This gave me a we give our customers. of the board, KPC is evolving into development of the work force. bird’s eye-view of the organisation; a customer centric SOE, always

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Rita Okuthe is a seasoned business leader with a career spanning over 25 years. She’s a marketing turnaround specialist, renowned for her ability to build and create brands and new business lines in the telecommunications sector.

business solutions.

Ms Okuthe has won several local and t i

international awards and has been nominat- b ed as one of the top 50 Global Marketeers e d

l by the Global Telecoms Magazine in recog- . a s t nition of her contribution to building the c i n Safaricom brand. t r u e Safaricom Foundation Trustee Rita Okuthe hands over sanitary towels to Gladys Biwott and Baringo County Rita recently transitioned into corpo- o v c . Women Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot.

rate governance roles and sits on several s i g w .

thinking about the customers first, achieve these national objectives, we will public and private sector boards. As chair d e a n

y i n n always. We remind ourselves constantly create an alignment of strengths to leverage of KPC, Rita serves as a Director of the d

e k r n K that we exist to transport petroleum prod- and support the growth of the country’s Industrial Commercial and Development f u a n o .

o l

ucts on behalf of our customers and the economy. It certainly is not an easy task Company (ICDC), the British Chamber k a n y a more we improve our efficiencies across all but it will be done. I am very fortunate to of Commerce in Kenya (BCCK), CarePay a B e B t e

l c a d customer touch points, the better experi- have on my board a team of highly skilled Kenya and the Advisory Board of Global t r

e t , l e n n

ence we give our customers. like-minded professionals who are deter- Payment Services. She previously served l s e , . C n o d We are also looking into new lines of mined to support management in achieving on the boards of JamboJet and the Kenya e r r c a o h

t a e h business, new revenue streams to grow and this task. Advertising Standards Board. s o y t t b w

diversify our revenue lines into the future. Rita Okuthe is a seasoned business Rita is passionate about empowering b h d e n s e h I r Thirdly, we are clear that strategy leader with a career spanning over 25 years. women and supporting women in break- t A

c a

, l p u a n

often eats execution for breakfast. So, it She’s a marketing turnaround specialist, ing the imagined ‘glass ceiling”. She is an k s a

g ’

c a e s r

is important that we have the right struc- renowned for her ability to build and create accredited executive coach and mentors r

t a s t r b c i b

a b

ture, systems, skill set and organizational brands and new business lines in the tele- executives and entrepreneurs. C i

A L h k

h culture to make KPC nimble and speedy communications sector. She is heavily vested in Corporate P

u s n a o T y n a d

in execution of the growth strategy. As She has worked for organizations such Social Investment (CSI) and serves as a a t n .

c e i

B

o K a board, we are committed to providing as MTN Uganda and Safaricom Plc, where trustee of the Safaricom Foundation where y

f n

e k t a o n

management with the governance required Rita is credited with building the Safaricom she leads the maternal and child health pil- i

o a s y t

r e B c d

to execute projects on time, within cost and brand through memorable ads like “Niko na lar to ensure that the lives of mothers and b % i l a g k s r a A c b .

on schedule. Safaricom”, “Relax with MPesa” amongst children are safeguarded. She previously o o A n t l

n . 0

o

Working with the “whole of govern- other touch-point and memorable products. served as a trustee of the SoS International y s w l r a

m p c r e p .

ment” approach which has started off with She is credited with creating impactful Children’s homes. c a r i o o a

i

0

a s l k

r Kenya Transport and Logistics Network brand assets such as Safaricom Sevens, Rita holds a Bachelor’s Degree in y u n e #

f o o i n

(TLN), we are confident that the synergies Safaricom Jazz and Niko na Safaricom Economics from the University of Nairobi j t n t 1 i 4

A n d a

o between KPC, KPA and KRC will posi- Live whilst driving innovation through and an MSc degree in Marketing from the r n 2 d e o u s

b c h ’

2 tion Kenya as the premier logistics hub new business lines such as Skiza, Lipa Na Business Faculty of the London School of t o y o r d t a * t n y

in sub-Saharan Africa. If we are able to MPesa; Internet of Things and integrated Economics (LSE).

a

s l a g t e s d i f a r a m h i b s r i i a e T T a o c r G c V D 82 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 83 ANNIVESARY EDITION Top 25 Most Influential Chairs of Board Impacting Business

atricia is passionate about cre- Ms Ithau seats on the boards of ABSA ating opportunities that improve Bank Kenya Plc and chairs the board of people’s lives. Her love for iden- Absa Securities, a subsidiary of Absa Bank tifying enduring consumer and Kenya PLC. Pcommercial insights to support the devel- Patricia also seats as a director on the opment of brands and grow businesses has Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) been actualized in a career spanning 25 board and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya years across 3 global companies namely Airways Plc. Unilever, Diageo/East Africa Breweries Patricia builds on the positive impact Limited (EABL) and L’Oreal. of development funding, as a board mem- In the last 8 years, her focus was on set- ber of Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA), ting up new organization and opening new the multi donor initiative and largest aid frontiers as managing director for Uganda institution for trade organization, with Breweries, then in her role as managing She currently sits on the Boards of; the overall goal of reducing poverty in the director for EABL International. ABSA Bank Kenya PLC, and Chairs East African region through reduction of Ms Ithau strategic and operational the Board of Absa Securities Ltd trading barriers and increasing trade com- ability in the FMCG sector was further petitiveness of the region. amplified in the setting up of L’Oreal East a subsidiary of Absa Bank PLC; Patricia brings to life her enduring Africa, a subsidiary of the Global multina- the Kenya Private Sector Alliance desire to connect corporate business tional, as its inaugural managing director. (KEPSA), Jambojet Ltd and also with social sustainability investment as This was indeed a crowning glory having Chairs the Board of Vivo Activewear a Trustee on the Board of the Vodafone in a little over 3 years, grown it into a busi- Ltd. Foundation, UK. ness with a turnover of over $25million, Alongside Margaret (Maggie) Ireri, employing over 270 people, manufacturing Graduate School of Business, that sup- Patricia served her marketing profession 40 million units per annum and closing ports transformation and upscaling of with distinction, as one of the most able, one of the first of its kind acquisitions of a MSME’s in the East and Southern Africa eminent and transformative leaders, in local business, in the Kenya market. region, through year-long programs. her role as the chair of the council of Patricia pivoted her passion for trans- The program which she launched in the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) forming lives to drive scaling and trans- May 2016, has in the last 5 years sup- and on the inaugural board of Brand formation of MSME’s, the largest job ported the sustainability, revenue growth, Kenya (Brand.Ke) and later on the Kenya creation sector, in all emerging economies. regional expansion and job creation of Tourism Board (KTB). She makes that a reality as the regional over 200 micro, small to mid-size compa- Ms Ithau has attended the Saïd director for the Stanford Institute for nies, demonstrating real impact through Business School, University of Oxford Innovation in Developing Economies - the age-old idiom ‘. teach a man to fish and for the Advanced Management Program SEED, an initiative out of the Stanford you feed him for a lifetime’. (AMP) in Scenario Planning in 2013 after a General Management Program under Executive Education with INSEAD – CEDEP. Patricia also attended an AMP jointly offered by the Strathmore Business School Nairobi/IESE Business School Barcelona in 2007. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the United States International University (USIU - A) (2002- 2003) and a University of Nairobi (UoN) #23 Patricia Ithau B. Com (Hons) degree (1986 – 1989). CHAIR OF BOARD: VIVO ACTIVEWEAR LLC Ms Ithau also graduated from the prestigious Catholic church sponsored and then, run, Loreto Convent Msongari, Lavington. She is a trained, certificated and cur- rently accredited executive coach with The Academy of Executive Coaching (AoEC).

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Under his chairmanship, the KPA board has given management the necessary support towards imple- menting key transformational proj- ects and programmes as outlined in the Strategic Plan including among others; Customer Engagement Centre, Capacity Expansion, SGR related #24 initiatives and the Blue Economy initiatives. Some of the strategic initiatives witnessed during his reign include Gen. (RTD) the ongoing construction of Kenya’s second commercial Port in Lamu, Joseph Kibwana the development of small ports, inland waterways and ICDs. The CHAIR OF BOARD: KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY development of Lamu Port which is a major component of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project has gained momentum following the completion of the first of the three berths earmarked for the first phase. The remaining two berths are expect- The KPA Board Chairman Gen. (Rtd) Joseph R. Kibwana at a Grievance Redress ed to be completed by October 2021. meeting with the leadership of the Beach Management Units from Kwale and Similarly, significant progress has Mombasa Counties. been registered on the development of Shimoni Fishing Port. the Chair of Kenya Trade Network (ISS) at the port. It was under The project is forecasted to Agency (KenTrade), playing a vital his watch between 2005-2008 improve the country’s fishing indus- role in beefing up and speeding the that management got support for try as more cold storage facili- automation of key cargo process- resources which enabled KPA invest ties shall be availed. Elsewhere in es and integrated security systems in modern equipment and automa- Kisumu, the residents are expectant tion, making the Port competitive of the restoration of the once vibrant globally. facility following KPA’s investments Gen (RTD) has also served as towards its rehabilitation. Under the To ensure successful a non-executive director on the Chairmanship of Kibwana, the KPA completion of the projects, boards of KCB Bank Group (2012- board has continued to closely mon- the board and management 2017), KCB Bank Burundi (2013- itor the implementation of all these 2015) and as the chairman of KCB projects. hold half yearly review Bank South Sudan up to June 2020. “To ensure successful comple- meetings. During these The Port of Mombasa has s Chair of the Kenya Ports Authority “Development of the Strategic Plan was tion of the projects, the board and meetings, the board receives continued to feature and remain (KPA) board, Kibwana has played informed by a systematic and consultative management hold half yearly review and reviews progress among the top five Ports in Africa a key role in strategy formulation process involving both internal and external meetings. During these meetings, the reports from the managing in container ranking after Port Said has spearheaded the revision of the stakeholders, with the board providing vital board receives and reviews progress director, indicating overall (Egypt), Port of Alexandria (Egypt), AKenya Ports Master Plan 2018-2047 and strategic guidance in shaping the vision for reports from the managing director, progress made on key Tanger Med Port (Morocco) and the Authority’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. the KPA. The plan has been developed at a indicating overall progress made on strategic objectives and Port of Durban (South Africa). The Strategic Plan sets out clear port plans, critical time when the country is focusing on key strategic objectives and initia- Mombasa Port is ranked among developments, and targets for a period of five harnessing the potential of the blue economy tives,” says the Chair of board. initiatives,” the top 120 globally and is the only years while the Master Plan is a long-term to support economic growth while ensuring The Gen (RTD) military back- - Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana Port in the East of Africa to appear document that aims to build all ports devel- environmental sustainability of the oceans for ground and wealth of knowledge among the top ranked container opment into the future. the future generations,” the Gen (RTD) says. and experience also saw him become Ports.

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Besides chaperoning the busi- oversighting all matters risk and ness interests of the KPA, Kibwana’s how to mitigate them. In addition, board effectively oversights manage- the board through the board audit ment to ensure that KPA creates and risk committee (BARC) receives social value to the community the quarterly financial and operational port operates in through an impactful reports for action. engagement that is entrenched in and In August 2020, H.E President supported by the Corporate Social Uhuru Kenyatta issued Executive Investment (CSI) Policy. Towards this, Order No.5 of 2020, which provided KPA allocates two percent of its for the Framework Agreement that profits to strategic needy causes that provided for the establishment of a enhances the environment and the seamless and coordinated national people. Gen. (RTD) Kibwana is the transport logistics network called the patron of St. Thomas Girls Secondary Kenya Transport Logistics Network School in Kilifi County, among other (KTLN), bringing together Kenya social responsibility initiatives that he Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya undertakes. Pipeline Company (KPC) and Kenya The year 2020 was one of the Railways Corporation (KRC) under most challenging for many corporate the coordination of the Industrial organizations including KPA due to and Commercial Development the outbreak of the global COVID-19 Corporation (ICDC). Gen (RTD) is pandemic. As the board chair and a member of the board of ICDC, through the board risk and audit which is responsible for providing the committee, Kibwana provided the overall guidance to the boards and much-needed oversight that steered management of the operating entities KPA through challenges brought (OEs). about by the pandemic. He ensured Meet Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana, the development of policies and pro- the man with the rare feat of being KPA Board Chairman Gen. (Rtd) Joseph cedures and aligned them with KPA Kibwana on a tour at the Dockyard area. appointed twice to the covetous seat strategy towards averting the effects The year 2020 was at the country’s strategic parastatal of the COVID-19 pandemic on port His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the KPA Stand at the KPA. ongoing Mombasa International Show. The Head of State was received by one of the most operations as well as following up the KPA Board Chairman Gen. (Rtd) Joseph R. Kibwana (Right) and Mana- challenging for He was first appointed and served with management on implementation ging Director Dr. Arch. Daniel Manduku. Photo: Courtesy of KPA 2005-2008 and re-appointed after a of those policies and procedures. many corporate ten-year hiatus in June 2018 and has In its oversight role, the board organizations been serving as the chair of board is responsible for ensuring prudent including KPA due to date. management of resources. Under his to the outbreak of Kibwana is a career Naval officer watch, the KPA has put in place the global COVID-19 and rose through the ranks up to his policies that promote prudent finan- pandemic. As the retirement as a General in 2005. He cial management to ensure finan- board chair and has seen duties in a number of posi- cial sustainability at all times. Key through the board tions of honour, and history was kind among these policies is ensuring that to him when he presided as Chief of the KPA has a procurement unit risk and audit General Staff of the Kenya Armed that adheres to the Procurement Act committee, Kibwana Forces between 2000-2005 and over- and regulations while bench mark- provided the much- saw the transition from one President ing with the best global practice. needed oversight to another, the late President Daniel These includes approval of annual that steered KPA Moi to former President Mwai Kibaki. procurement plans and budgets and through challenges He is an alumnus of the Britannia periodic review of the same. On inter- brought about by the Royal Naval College (UK), Faraday nal controls, the board established pandemic. House Engineering College (UK), the an Enterprise Risk Management Principal Secretary for Infrastructure Prof. Arch. Paul Maringa paid a cour- US Naval Staff College and the US tesy call to KPA Chairman Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana Framework (ERMP). This entails Naval War College.

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in Kenya, launched its launch in 2019, earn- homes and keep the country moving. ing him tremendous respect and recognition Mucai trained as a lawyer at the #25 as a clean environmental ambassador and University of Wales (Cardiff) later obtaining advocate. an MBA from Ashridge College in the UK. He was equally instrumental in the Mucai serves on various company Mucai Kunyiha development of the Strategic Business Plan boards as a non-executive director and on for the establishment of a Plastic Producer the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board. He CHAIR OF BOARD: KENYA ASSOCIATION Responsibility Organization (PRO) in has been on the board of Kenya Property OF MANUFACTURERS Kenya and will drive collective Extended Developers Association for several years Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the coun- and the Chairman (2016 – 2019). try. In EPR, a producer’s responsibility for Mucai Kunyiha is the Group Managing ucai Kunyiha is the Chairman a product is extended to the post-consumer Director at Cooper K-Brands, the firm that of Kenya Association of stage of a product’s life cycle, whilst turning recently launched a new factory at the Tatu Manufacturers (KAM), a repre- plastic waste into valuable and re-usable City, in a strategic expansion of the compa- sentative of manufacturing and resources. ny capacity and capability to manufacture Mvalue-add industries in Kenya established Kunyiha also champions the drive of and improve on its animal food and other in 1959. industry towards best practices on green nutritional supplements for the Kenya farm- KAM is a dynamic, vibrant, credible and growth and climate change initiatives. This ers and within the region. respected business membership association includes linking industries with technology that represents members from Kenya’s man- providers towards environmentally sound ufacturing industry. solutions to achieve sustainable manufac- Appointed as the KAM Kunyiha has over 20 years’ experience in turing, through the Centre for Green Growth Board Chair in July 2020 business at executive management level in and Climate Change (CGGCC) launched late as the country was reeling the manufacturing and distribution of agri- last year. cultural inputs and the real estate industry He is keen on promoting and nurtur- from the impact of Covid- and has what it takes to realize KAM’s mis- ing local manufacturing and value-addition 19 pandemic, he has sion to promote competitive and sustainable industries. To this end, he has been focusing continued to steer members local manufacturing. on advocating for the development of coher- Prior to this role, he was the Vice-Chair ent policies that support industrial growth, of the association amid the of the Association. He has also served on the pushing for predictability in fiscal and leg- turbulent times. KAM Board, specifically in the Legal and islative regulations and support for MSMEs Regulatory Committee, HR and Governance through policy advocacy. Committee, Finance Management and He acknowledges that the manufac- Seated on 5.7 acres of land, the new fac- Projects Committee. turing sector is an integral part of Kenya’s tory has an automated Buhler (Switzerland) For many years, Kunyiha has been on sustainable growth and development, and plant fitted into a 36.5m tower. The new the driver’s seat in championing KAM’s its resilience is core in his vision as the KAM factory has capacity to produce 2 tons sustainability agenda. He has been provid- chair of board. per hour of product. With a 541 kilowatts ing strategic direction to the association’s Appointed as the KAM Board Chair power requirement, the new factory is also initiatives, ensuring they are aligned to the in July 2020 as the country was reeling fitted with a 200-kilowatt Photo Voltaic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, rooftop system as an alternative for cleaner the 10 UN Global Compact principles on he has continued to steer members of the energy for up to 50 per cent of its daytime Human Rights, Labour, Environment and association amid the turbulent times. This requirement. Anti-Corruption. includes developing recovery strategies and For decades, local farmers have trust- He provided strategic leadership to the policies that will see the economy rebound ed this firm to provide its leading range KAM PET sub-Sector’s endeavour to partner and increase the sector’s contribution to the of high-quality mineral supplements for with the government and other stakeholders GDP exponentially. He has been steering effectiveness and increased production on to manage plastic bottle waste during his the organization through the management the farms. role as the sub-Sector Chair and has played of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen The launch of the multimillion state- a key role in the development of the Kenya the KAM members also delve in manufac- of-the-art factory is the first phase of the Plastic Action Plan (KPAP), a private sec- turing PPE for the frontline health workers company’s expansion plans. The company tor-led policy and action plan aimed at as well as providing hygiene and food prod- plans to relocate its manufacturing plants enabling a circular economy for environmen- ucts to help cushion the most vulnerable of from its main offices in Loresho, Nairobi to tally sustainable use and recycling of plastics the poor to have food on the table in their Tatu City in Kiambu County.

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NSE’s investors and shareholders in prises through the development of Geoffrey Odundo CITATION the firm,’ stated the CEO. Ibuka, a unique incubation and In his words, ‘Despite the chal- acceleration program that provides CEO-THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE (NSE) Investment Economics lenges COVID-19 pandemic has an opportunity for SME’s to access caused in the market, the NSE man- public markets within a regulatory Corporate Contingency agement is working to ensure it pro- environment designed specifically to Strategy vides value to shareholders, investors meet their needs Real Estate Investment and the general public. Over the course of his career, n a report just released mid Appointed CEO of NSE on Trust Management In 2021, the NSE will continue Geoffrey has contributed immensely Dec 2020, the Nairobi Securities March 3, 2015, Geoffrey Odundo to implement its business continu- towards the growth of the Capital Exchange (NSE) reported a pos- states in the report that the increase Derivatives Market ity plans which focus on ensuring Markets industry in Kenya through itive result for the six months in profitability is mainly driven Development uninterrupted market availability to current and former roles as a Geoffrey has period ending 30th June 2020. The by a reduction in administrative investors and remote access by trad- Director/Board Secretary, Kenya democratized I Cost Optimization report indicates a profit on the back expenses guided by a prudent cost ing participants, costs optimization Association of Stock Brokers and access to of a weak macro-economic envi- optimization strategy that achieved as well as protecting the health and Investment Banks, Chairman of the capital markets ronment further worsened by the double-digit reduction in key cost safety at work of staff and market Financial Standards Committee - to Small and adverse effects of the COVID-19 items, which dropped from 41.7% players. Kenya Bureau of Standards as well Medium Pandemic. and an increase in the share of prof- The NSE Exchange Trade Funds, as being a Board Director of NSE. Scale (SMEs) According to Geoffrey Otieno its of associate investments, which Real Estate Investment Trusts as To support Africa’s economic enterprises Odundo, the Chief Executive Officer increased by 14.8% respectively. well as the Derivatives Market offer growth and development, he has (CEO) of the Nairobi Securities ‘The Group’s solid performance investors unique opportunities to spearheaded regional integration through the Exchange PLC (NSE) the largest in the wake of an extremely challeng- make returns as well as safeguard among African Securities Exchanges development of stock Exchange in East and Central ing operating environment accelerat- against capital attrition during this as director and head of the African Ibuka, a unique Africa, the group’s profit after tax ed by the outbreak of the COVID-19, period, added the CEO. Securities Exchange Association sec- incubation and increased by more than 100%, to a global pandemic, is a testament of In his role as the CEO, Geoffrey retariat. acceleration Ksh 110.6 million, up from Ksh the effectiveness of NSE’s corporate Odundo has successfully spearhead- Geoffrey has advised on a num- program that 24.3 million registered in the same contingency strategy, the resilience ed the development of innovative ber of corporate finance mandates in provides an period in 2019. of its business and the confidence of financial solutions for both investors both the public and private sectors; opportunity and issuers, making the NSE the he has also managed key mandates second most product diverse market in the asset management industry for SME’s to in Africa, making Kenya realize its through leading in various senior access public aspiration of becoming Africa’s pre- roles in asset management, corpo- markets within mium financial services hub by the rate finance and securities trading. a regulatory year 2030. He is a Council Member of environment Notable achievements include the Institute of Certified Investment designed fronting the roll out of the world’s Financial Analysts (ICIFA). He is specifically first mobile traded government infra- also a Director of the Association to meet their structure bond dubbed M-Akiba of the Stock Exchanges of Africa which plays a significant role in (ASEA) and is a Member of the needs informing the future of Capital Africa Customer Markets transactions globally. He Advisory Network. also spearheaded the development Geoffrey Odundo holds a Master’s of the second Derivatives Market in degree in Strategic Management Africa, offering investors a new ave- from the United States International nue for deployment of capital in the University-Africa and an under- wake of rising asset price volatility graduate degree in Mathematics in both regional and international and Economics from the Egerton markets. University. He is also an Advanced Geoffrey has democratized Management Program (AMP) grad- access to capital markets to Small uate from the Strathmore Business and Medium Scale (SMEs) enter- School (SBS).

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ported journalism have been diminished of great public importance is simpler and by behemoths like Facebook and . cheaper than ever before. There is a deluge For anyone who, like me, is old-fash- of information, but it is increasingly diffi- ioned enough to have grown up intoxi- cult for audiences to know what to trust. cated by the idea of fearless journalists The destruction of the business model that holding power to account, we have come supports quality journalism has created a a long way from All the President’s Men. digital public sphere where there are more From the U.S president on down, the voices than ever before, but it is infected forces now arrayed against public interest with disinformation. journalism are pervasive and insidious. It This is why preserving and protecting needs champions like never before. the role of public interest journalism is vital. And to achieve this, we need to define The value of journalism public interest journalism in a way that Discussion of public interest journalism reflects the breadth of what public inter- tends to focus on the role of journalists in est journalism really is: the independent holding power to account. Big investiga- dissemination of trustworthy information. tions like Watergate most readily spring to mind. This high-profile work is vital, but The outrage cycle there is another role for quality journalism The media plays a vital role in provid- that is even more fundamental: Journalists ing this trustworthy information. But the provide quality information that helps modern media is also limited in signif- people understand the world around them icant ways: While journalists are very and make informed decisions. Reliable good at holding power to account, many information is essential for healthy democ- journalists believe it is not their role to racy, but it does so much more than help provide solutions to complex problems. us take part in public debate or decide Increasingly, journalists are swimming how to vote. upstream against powerful forces that It also helps decide what to eat to discourage this type of work. stay healthy, or how to keep your children As a consequence, in much of the safe online, or how to avoid the risks of media we consume today, solutions-based problem gambling. Public interest jour- reporting on complex challenges like cli- nalism can provide essential context to mate change is crowded out by a cycle of help people make sense of a complex and outrage. The business model demands this. confusing barrage of information. Quality For media companies, success or failure is information makes markets more efficient. measured in audience: More people spend- It provides essential insights that help us ing more time with your journalism means understand our environment, our culture, more revenue. This type of engagement our history. It underpins the health and is highest for the type of journalism that MISHA KETCHELL well-being of society. provokes strong feelings, either negative Google and Facebook For example, when it first became clear or positive, not the type that requires From the editor: It’s Misha Ketchell is a Friend of The don’t purport to provide tobacco was a lethal product, it was public thought. Hence the stunning success of Conversation. interest media that reported the dangers. the Fox News business model of perpetual time to step up, free journalism, and so they Simultaneously, tobacco companies redi- outrage. Forget the political worldview for e live in a time when the bul- have no obligation to rected massive budgets to spread doubt a minute—the key reason Fox News is press needs allies lying of journalists has become serve the public interest. so people would keep smoking. Vested successful is that it provides its audiences a casual pastime for the pres- interests set out to present the clear sci- an utterly reliable emotional experience. ident of the U.S. When jour- Unlike journalists, they ence as subject to debate. They were able This type of preaching to the choir In the digital age, in which social media Wnalists around the world are increasingly are free to do whatever to delay policy responses and stop people has always been part of the media land- supports dissemination of content without any being stripped of rights and persecuted by it takes to win an from quitting. scape, but the growing sophistication of regard to its accuracy, the task of muddying the governments that ought to know better. audience. In the digital age, in which social audience data made possible by the digital waters on matters of great public importance is When a man like Jamal Khashoggi can be media supports dissemination of content revolution has transformed the unreliable simpler and cheaper than ever before. brutally assassinated for his writing. When without any regard to its accuracy, the gut-instinct guesses of editors into a dis- all over the world, the businesses that sup- task of muddying the waters on matters mal science.

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New models If we want to continue to have jour- nalism that can provide transpar- ency and help us address complex problems, we all need to defend it and support it. Gestures like Time magazine’s decision in 2018 to name four journalists and one newspaper as its Person of the Year are laudable and necessary. The success of news- papers like The Washington Post and the New York Times under Donald Trump is also encouraging. And there are new models emerg- One Account. ing, such as The Conversation, a global editorial network that works with academic experts to provide One million reliable information to inform the public. As editor of The Conversation and part of the team that founded it, I am committed to producing jour- shillings nalism that grapples with complex New media challenges port to provide journalism, and so Journalists at a past problems and focuses on solutions. Not so long ago, newspaper editors they have no obligation to serve the press conference It’s a gap in the market and it is vital used to run campaigns on topics public interest. Unlike journalists, in , Rwanda. that whoever does this work does it Photo | Courtesy. they considered in the public inter- they are free to do whatever it takes to serve the public interest, not vest- est, such as reducing the road toll to win an audience. ed interests. or fixing hospital waiting lists. But All this means that media com- At end the of the day, journalism this type of journalism is expensive panies are trapped in a negative spi- is an ecosystem. It requires a range of and time-consuming, and better data ral. They face an existential commer- voices and perspectives and missions has shown us that while we all say cial threat from digital platforms. To to serve the public. Some of the jour- we care about these issues, when compete, they need to be ruthless in nalism will be provided by commer- you measure what people actually their pursuit of audience. In many cial operators in the market. Some click on, the public appetite for these cases, this means spending less time will be provided by public broadcast- types of stories is hard to predict. reporting on complex problems and ers and funded by governments. It’s not easy to justify pursuing more time seeking attention at any It all needs financial support, this type of work when the fleeting cost. And this makes their work through subscriptions or donations, scandals of the daily news cycle will harder to distinguish as journalism, but it needs moral support too. provide a more predictable audience. which corrodes their very reason to Please stand up for journalism when These trends have been amplified by exist. you can, and support it with your the ways in which digital platforms attention, subscriptions and dona- like Facebook and Google have cre- tions. But even more important is to ated powerful near-monopolies in understand the true value of what all the attention economy, and now At end the of the day, journalism journalists do—most especially those exert huge power over audiences. in our profession who accept grave All media companies now rely is an ecosystem. It requires a range risks—and act accordingly to protect on Facebook and Google to direct of voices and perspectives and their rights and support their work. audiences to them, but they also missions to serve the public. Some have to compete with the deluge of content produced by these digital of the journalism will be provided This article originally appeared in giants. And they do it with one hand by commercial operators in the Communication World magazine, published by the International tied behind their backs. market. Association of Business Communicators Google and Facebook don’t pur- (IABC).

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ers and listeners differ from one organiza- tion to the next. These differences matter because journalism’s future, and the audi- ence’s role in it, will depend in no small The mission part on which of these strategies succeed. journalism— Some rely on digital metrics to deter- the watchdog mine what their readers like and dislike, journalism, the and use that information to give them covering city more of the former and less of the latter. events, making The news company BuzzFeed, for example, is legendary for its use of data to predict sure that people which of its stories will “go viral.” aren’t getting Others rely on more qualitative infor- screwed over, mation. City Bureau, a Chicago-based, etc. … nonprofit news organization, hosts weekly “public newsrooms” intended to “gather journalists and the public to discuss local issues and share resources and knowledge to foster better local reporting.” What accounts for journalism’s vary- The second related to the watchdog people click on with what they like. Since ing approaches to the news audience? mission of the newspaper: The journalists people tend to click more soft news than I research the relationship between argued that their stories can’t make an hard, this association has led some jour- journalism and the public. In two recently impact on their community if no one reads nalism scholars to worry: “The market published studies, my collaborators and them. requires giving the public what it wants; I concluded that how journalists perceive The reliance on these metrics made democracy requires giving the public what Journalism needs an audience their audiences powerfully affects what clear an important assumption these jour- it needs.” they do to reach them. nalists held about the nature of their audi- ence. When they used metrics to observe From measurement to engagement to survive, but isn’t sure Making meaning from audience that readers tended to click on “soft” news Not everyone in journalism shares this metrics stories (e.g., lifestyle, sports, dining) and assumption. A growing group of news how to earn its loyalty The first study, published in the academic not “hard” news stories (e.g., city hall), industry innovators believes a majority of journal Journalism Studies, drew on inter- many of the journalists we interviewed the public is genuinely interested in read- As the news industry struggles JACOB L. NELSON However, the advent of the internet view and observational data collected from concluded that a majority of the public is ing about civic issues, despite what some to recapture this increasingly brought huge drops in journalism reve- a large daily newspaper. simply not interested in what they deemed of the data appear to say. Assistant Professor of digital audience distant financial foothold, nue. Between 2000 and 2015, newspaper My co-author Edson C. Tandoc Jr. and I “important” public affairs news. This other group believes it’s not a engagement, Arizona State University ad revenue in the U.S. fell, as an Atlantic examined how journalists use audience As one of the paper’s senior editors lack of interest that keeps citizens away many within it are certain that article describes, “from about $60 billion to measurement data to understand who explained: The mission journalism—the from those stories, but a disdain for how the first step forward is to no about $20 billion, wiping out the gains of their work reaches. watchdog journalism, the covering city those stories are being reported. longer take their audiences for ournalism is in the midst of an exis- the previous 50 years.” We found that, when presented with events, making sure that people aren’t They argue the public feels alien- granted. Instead, they have tential crisis: the profession has under- As the news industry struggles to recap- a variety of sophisticated tools available getting screwed over, etc. … There’re not ated by, and distrustful of, journalism to be more deliberate about gone decades of declines in readership, ture this increasingly distant financial foot- for analysing reader behaviour, the news- enough people reading those stories … to that rarely solicits their perspectives and, earning the audience’s loyalty. revenue and public trust, with no hold, many within it are certain that the room’s staff tended to favour audience size keep us where we are now. … The money consequently, fails to accurately reflect obviousJ end in sight. first step forward is to no longer take their measures above all others. They wanted does not exist there. their lives. To fix this, journalists need to Many in the industry believe that the audiences for granted. Instead, they have to know which story got the most readers. In short, the increasing emphasis on more actively “engage” with the public. best way for newsrooms to recover both to be more deliberate about earning the The journalists we spoke to explained understanding and measuring the news As the journalism researchers Thomas revenue and public trust is to improve their audience’s loyalty. their focus on audience size metrics in two audience revealed that many within this R. Schmidt and Regina Lawrence write, relationship with their audiences. Yet this newfound consensus within the ways. newsroom perceive reaching a large audi- “Many increasingly see engaging with News organizations once boasted huge industry has resulted in a lot of uncertainty: The first was economic: Media compa- ence and publishing public service journal- audiences and communities as a key strat- profit margins, which left many feeling How, exactly, should journalists do this? nies depend on advertising and subscrip- ism as separate pursuits. egy to maintain relevance and achieve confident that they knew exactly what they tion revenue. The larger the audience, the While we can’t generalize from our sustainability.” needed to do in order to reach the public. One goal, different methods more advertisers will pay to reach it and study of this one organization, a number The motivations and pursuit of As a result, journalists rarely sought feed- Newsroom strategies for better understand- the more financially secure the organiza- of other academic studies have similarly engaged journalism came up in another back from their readers. ing and connecting with their readers, view- tion. observed that journalists associate what study recently published in the aca-

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For example, when the 2010 census revealed that Wisconsin led the nation in black male incarcera- tion, this newsroom hosted a listening session with black men who had been released from prison. The journalists we interviewed explained that the session was led by a university professor who had experience guiding a listening session and creating a safe place for people to share their stories. “We didn’t record it or anything. We used it more as a way to try to understand the issues that we’re overlooking,” one of the editors who organized the session said. “Out of that grew this sense that we weren’t really giving these men a place … to tell their own stories” in the newsroom’s reporting. By pursuing these initiatives, these journalists sought to ensure their stories did not solely originate from what they believed to be the most important issues facing their readers. Instead, they wanted to create opportunities to hear from their readers—specifically those who they infrequently hear from—about what they believed demic journal Journalism Practice, which I needed to be covered. co-authored with Valerie Belair-Gagnon and Seth C. Lewis. Same goal, different assumptions We examined how journalists at two different These two studies show that journalism’s growing public media news organizations attempt to engage A growing group focus on the news audience has not been accom- with their audiences. This research also relied on of news industry panied by a growing consensus about who these interview and observational data. innovators audiences comprise and what they want from news. We found that these journalists felt strongly believes a majority Even when journalists agree that the audience about creating opportunities for more meaningful consumes less public affairs news than it does other engagement with the public than has traditionally of the public kinds, they draw different conclusions about why been the case, especially with communities the jour- is genuinely this is the case. Some blame the audience, others nalists felt had been “left out.” interested in blame the journalists. These opportunities included online initiatives reading about One thing that these studies make clear: As the like soliciting questions from listeners about topics civic issues, news industry struggles to survive, many within it they are interested in, as well as offline events like despite what increasingly believe their best path forward lies with “listening sessions” designed to build trust and some of the data an improved relationship with the public. strengthen ties with minority residents whom these appear to say. However, the steps journalists take to do the journalists cover in their reporting – but do not nec- work of improving that relationship remains an open essarily reach with their reporting. question.

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net video service FrontRow. MTN now takes-all” tendency online that abandon- Data remains an expensive allows streaming of videos without data ing net neutrality would only exacerbate. charges. This is not insignificant, as an Discriminating between services leaves hour-long television programme can use mobile and fixed-line operators picking luxury in Africa but free over 300 megabytes of data. winners among internet products and ser- Getting something for free is generally vices. internet may not come free a good thing—at least for MTN Front Row In Nigeria, MTN has a service called What happens if those who control or own key networks in the and Cell C customers. And some of the GoodyBag, offering customers social net- proponents of zero-rating see it as a way of working services in different packages. internet break with the principle of net neutrality? addressing the high data costs for the poor. This discriminates against other similar services and also makes it harder for a new INDRA DE LANEROLLE people in the country data is a luxury. Net neutrality versus free services (and possibly better) service to compete. So, when mobile operators start giving Cell C’s free internet services package is Second, it could mark a substantial Visiting Researcher, Network Society Project, some of this valuable commodity for free the result of a global initiative launched shift in power to the telcos and other University of the Witwatersrand it warrants attention. From July, the coun- in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO owners of the pipes that carry the internet try’s third-largest mobile services provider of Facebook, which aims to connect “the from those that provide internet services. he greatest barrier to extending Cell C started offering some services such next five billion”. Ebele Okobi, Facebook’s The internet is and has always been In South Africa there are few telcos and internet use in South Africa, and as Facebook and Wikipedia for free without London-based head of public policy in a network of networks. Delivering the many internet services providers. indeed in most African countries, is paying for the data. In the telecoms indus- Africa, says that zero-rating is a response to content and services involves thousands Free-as-in-beer is not It’s difficult to imagine that VIDI, the cost of data. try this is called zero-rating. a crisis in Africa where growth in internet of organisations. They are usually private the same as free-as-in- for example, a South African video on TIn South Africa one gigabyte of data This is not the only example of access and use is far too slow. businesses, in a complex collaboration demand service very similar to MTN’s freedom. Affordability is on mobile networks—the only means of zero-rating in South Africa. In September, But could it also be a bad thing? Yes, that allows digital data to travel between Front Row, can compete against MTN accessing the internet for most—is R149 the country’s second largest operator MTN it could. Facebook’s initiative has already the billions of devices that connect to the still the major issue facing since it is owned by a media company and (pre-paid). This means that for millions of announced a deal for its on-demand inter- caused controversy in other countries. internet. the internet in South not a mobile operator with access to pipes. One of the internet’s design principles African and other African Third, it is not difficult to imagine a is that carriers of this data don’t discrimi- two-tier internet emerging: the general nate between different messages or content countries. internet that we have known, remaining they carry. More than ten years ago the available for those that can afford it and term “network neutrality” was coined to an ‘internet-lite’ for the rest with a limited describe this principle. enshrined in law or regulations. Even choice of services. As a concept, it is older than that. where it has not been regulated, it has Even so, when we look at the problem Postal services have embodied similar been a norm on the internet. This norm is from the point of view of an internet user principles for more than a century and now under attack, often by the telephone on low income, an affordable “internet-lite” phone services also do. In communication and mobile companies that are reluctant to may be better than nothing. Partly because networks, addresses, phone numbers and remain the “dumb pipes” carrying content of this, some researchers have argued that envelopes are generally treated equally by for other providers. rather than worry about net neutrality those who own or control the physical or each case should be looked at separately virtual networks—without discrimination Should we care? and judged on its overall impact and as to the content of the letters or calls, or What happens if those who control or own benefits. who sent them. key networks in the internet break with Free-as-in-beer is not the same as Zero-rating involves allowing data the principle of net neutrality? free-as-in-freedom. Affordability is still the from some sources to pass through the There are three things that could happen major issue facing the internet in South system without charge while other sources once the principle is abandoned, all of African and other African countries. But have to pay. MTN is zero-rating its own which should be of concern to internet the freedoms of the internet–its diversity, service. Cell C is zero-rating Facebook and users. plurality and openness–matter also. In the a few others. In both cases, the mobile First, it could lead to a much less face of significant opposition to internet. operators—part of this network of net- diverse and open internet. One of the most org in India, Zuckerberg said: works that deliver the internet—are break- obvious features of the internet is its diver- These two principles—universal con- ing with the principle of net neutrality. sity and this rests on the equal access to nectivity and net neutrality—can and must In some countries–the US, Chile and users that websites share. co-exist. the Netherlands for example–this would Even so, researchers have demonstrat- African regulators and policymakers not be allowed because net neutrality is ed that there may be a powerful “winner- must manage that co-existence.

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both negative and positive rights. In his book Development as Indications from government are Positive rights include, for example, Freedom, Amartya Sen describes free- that we are likely to see more such the socio-economic rights to food and dom as “our capability to lead the kind initiatives. The result will be that South shelter. of lives we have reason to value”. In Africans’ ability to lead the kind of lives In its Internet Freedom Index many ways, the internet is extending they value will become increasingly Freedom House ranks South Africa as such capabilities. dependent on the physical, procedural, “free” alongside the UK, Argentina and More people now go online daily economic and social networks that we Kenya. The ranking is largely because than read a newspaper. They are able call “the internet”. Internet freedom: Why access Freedom House weighs negative free- to read a much greater variety of voices doms above positive ones. But how than are seen in print or on televi- The question of cost is becoming a human right “free” is the internet in South Africa? sion. And public services are offer- According to the All Media Products For most, it is positive internet freedoms ing improved responsiveness on social Survey (AMPS) of June 2015 fewer More people now go online daily than read a newspaper. that may be more urgent. media. than half of South African adults had They are able to read a much greater variety of voices than But we are also seeing a new devel- used the internet in the previous four Freedom is access opment–instances where internet access weeks. More than half did not. are seen in print or on television. And public services are The South African Constitution in the is now a requirement. Examples include: When we asked a representative offering improved responsiveness on social media. Bill of Rights does not explicitly pro- Registering a company, sample of non-users in South Africa tect internet freedom but section 16(1) The Gauteng Education Department in 2012 why they hadn’t gone online, states that everyone has the right to now requires parents with children the main reason was that they had no “freedom to receive or impart infor- entering primary or high school to device to connect with (87%). The sec- mation or ideas”. This is a right for apply online. ond reason was that they didn’t know everyone and it is not just a freedom Previously they could apply at the local how to use it (76%) and the third was from interference – a “freedom from”— school, and that it was too expensive (60%). but also a “freedom to”: a right to be The South African Broadcasting According to the survey, nine out able to reach others and be reached by Corporation has announced that it will of ten South Africans now use a mobile others. In this it follows Article 19 of no longer advertise its jobs in newspa- phone but only half of those now have the Universal Declaration of Human pers, directing job seekers to its own access to smartphones. The most popu- Rights. website. lar phone brand in South Africa is still Nokia. Most of the models in use have Huge gap between affordable and limited or no ability to connect to the real prices in Sub-saharan Africa net. And because only the better off In its Internet have access to fixed lines at home or at Freedom Index work, the majority of South Africans, Freedom House when they do get online, are dependent ranks South Africa as on mobile networks. “free” alongside the Mobile data is costly UK, Argentina and The International Telecommunications Kenya. The ranking Union and the UN’s Educational, is largely because Scientific and Cultural Organisation Freedom House have set a goal for affordable broad- weighs negative band internet access. It is that entry level broadband should not cost more INDRA DE LANEROLLE freedoms above without being subject to the chilling effects of surveil- positive ones. But than 5% of average monthly income. Visiting Researcher, Network Society Lab, Journalism and lance. how “free” is the Because of a flawed methodology they Media Programme, University of the Witwatersrand This kind of freedoms are sometimes called “nega- state in a 2015 annual report that South tive freedoms” or “freedoms from…”. They address the internet in South Africa falls well within that target. But right not to be interfered with or obstructed in living Africa? For most, it digging into the figures shows how hen most people think or speak about your life. But there are also “positive freedoms”—“free- is positive internet unaffordable the internet is for most internet freedom, they are often concerned doms to…” freedoms that may South Africans. with the right, for example, to say what Some constitutions—notably the US Constitution— be more urgent. Statistics SA sets an upper bound you want online without censorship and only protect negative rights. But South Africa’s includes poverty line of R779 per month per per- W son (in 2011 prices). Most–about

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It is also worth noting that the Average cost of mobile internet across Africa (2019) poor in South Africa pay much more The foundation for data than the better-off. If you have a fixed line in your home you can buy pre-paid data bundles for R7 per GB or even less, a small fraction of what mobile network of happiness users pay.

Free internet? We could go further and ask if the internet could and should not only be cheaper but free? In some places and for some people it already is. That includes university students thanks to a network for tertiary institutions funded by the govern- ment. It also includes many resi- dents in the metropole of Tshwane Research ICT Africa’s price – including townships – where there are over 600 Wi-Fi hotspots offering index shows that South 500MB of data per day at fast speeds Africa’s data prices are for free. over 20% more expensive Just as South African munici- than Nigeria, Uganda and palities give poor households a min- Mozambique and three times imum amount of 600 litres of water as expensive as Kenya. and 50kwh of electricity for free, they could extend this model to the internet. As lawyers sometimes say, the right to freedom of expression is an 53%–of the South African And is 500MB per month enough? ‘enabling right’—a right that enables population live on income below It is enough for a lot of instant messag- people to access or defend other this, according to the last census. ing, or say about half an hour a day of rights. In the same way the internet So, this poverty line is more or browsing the web or using Facebook. itself is now an enabling technolo- less the average income in the coun- But it is not enough to participate in gy that is increasingly required to try. The poverty line adjusted for otherwise free online courses such as participate in social, political and inflation to 2016 would be R1 031. Kahn Academy that often rely heavily economic life. Taking the international 5% on video. For many or most South Africans of income goal gives a maximum This is affecting usage. The most whether or not the Films and budget of about R52 per month. popular online activity is instant Publications Board interferes with On three major networks (which messaging using applications like their right to view video material account for more than 95% of all WhatsApp. But only one in five peo- online does not affect ‘their capability With APA Insurance, you can live your life knowing mobile customers) 500MB—the ple download music online. to lead the lives they value’ because amount of data they set as a mini- Could mobile data be much cheap- they cannot afford to access video or that everything that brings you happiness is insured. mum—of data costs between R85 er in South Africa? Evidence suggests audio content online. and R105. that the answer is yes. Research ICT At present, defending ‘negative’ So, for the average South African Africa’s price index shows that South internet rights is protecting the 500MB per month is unaffordable. Africa’s data prices are over 20% rights of the few. We need to move In fact, mobile data prices would more expensive than Nigeria, Uganda to demanding the ‘positive right’ of have to fall by about half to be and Mozambique and three times as affordable access if we want internet affordable. expensive as Kenya. freedom for all. For more information, call us on +254 (0) 709 912 777

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Here’s why some people are willing The path of a moral rebel What does it take to create a moral rebel? to challenge bullying, corruption and It helps to have seen moral courage in action. Many of the civil rights activists who participated in marches and sit-ins bad behaviour, even at personal risk in the southern United States in the 1960s had parents who displayed moral courage and civic engagement, as did many of the Research in neuroscience reveals The traits of a moral rebel the crowd. So, when they have to choose Germans who rescued Jews during the that people’s ability to stand up First, moral rebels generally feel good about between fitting in and doing the right thing, Holocaust. Watching people, you look up to social influence is reflected in themselves. They tend to have high self-es- they will probably choose to do what they to show moral courage can inspire you to anatomical differences in the brain teem and to feel confident about their own see as right. do the same. judgment, values and ability. They also Research in neuroscience reveals that A budding moral rebel also needs to believe their own views are superior to people’s ability to stand up to social influ- Moral rebels are also less socially inhibited feel empathy, imagining the world from CATHERINE A. SANDERSON those of others, and thus that they have a ence is reflected in anatomical differences in than others. They aren’t worried about feeling someone else’s perspective. Spending time Poler Family Professor and Chair of social responsibility to share those beliefs. the brain. People who are more concerned with and really getting to know people Psychology, Amherst College Moral rebels are also less socially inhib- about fitting in show more gray matter vol- embarrassed or having an awkward interaction. from different backgrounds helps. White ited than others. They aren’t worried about ume in one particular part of the brain, the Perhaps most importantly, they are far less high school students who had more contact tah Senator Mitt Romney voted feeling embarrassed or having an awkward lateral orbitofrontal cortex. This area right concerned about conforming to the crowd. with people from different ethnic groups – in February to convict President interaction. Perhaps most importantly, they behind your eyebrows creates memories in their neighbourhood, at school and on Donald Trump on the charge of are far less concerned about conforming to of events that led to negative outcomes. It sports teams – have higher levels of empa- abuse of power, becoming the first helps guide you away from things you thy and see people from different minority Usenator ever to vote against his own party’s want to avoid the next time around – groups in more positive ways. president in an impeachment trial. such as being rejected by your group. These same students are more likely Two Theranos employees – Erika People who are more concerned to report taking some action if a classmate Cheung and Tyler Shultz – spoke out about about conforming to their group also uses an ethnic slur, such as by directly chal- their concerns regarding the company’s show more activity in two other brain lenging that person, supporting the victim practices, even though they knew they circuits; one that responds to social or telling a teacher. People who are more could face lasting personal and professional pain – like when you experience rejec- empathetic are also more likely to defend repercussions. tion – and another that tries to under- someone who is being bullied. Actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan stand others’ thoughts and feelings. In Finally, moral rebels need particular came forward to report Harvey Weinstein’s other words, those who feel worst when skills and practice using them. One study sexual harassment and assault, despite his excluded by their group try the hardest found that teenagers who held their own in threats to ruin their careers if they did so. to fit in. an argument with their mother, using rea- All of these people spoke up to call What does this suggest about moral soned arguments instead of whining, pres- out bad behaviour, even in the face of rebels? For some people, feeling like sure or insults, were the most resistant to immense pressure to stay silent. Although you’re different than everyone else feels peer pressure to use drugs or drink alcohol the specifics of each of these cases are quite really bad, even at a neurological level. later on. Why? People who have practiced different, what each of these people share is For other people, it may not matter as making effective arguments and sticking a willingness to take action. Psychologists much, which makes it easier for them to with them under pressure are better able to like me describe those who are willing to stand up to social pressure. use these same techniques with their peers. defend their principles in the face of poten- These characteristics are totally Moral rebels clearly have particular tially negative social consequences such as agnostic as to what the moral rebel is characteristics that enable them to stand disapproval, ostracism and career setbacks standing up for. You could be the lone up for what’s right. But what about the as “moral rebels.” anti-abortion voice in your very liberal rest of us? Are we doomed to be the silent Moral rebels speak up in all types of family or the lone abortion rights advo- bystanders who meekly stand by and don’t situations – to tell a bully to cut it out, to cate in your very conservative family. In dare call out bad behaviour? confront a friend who uses a racist slur, to either scenario it’s about standing up Fortunately, no. It is possible to develop report a colleague who engages in corporate to social pressure to stay silent – and the ability to stand up to social pressure. fraud. What enables someone to call out that pressure of course could be applied In other words, anyone can learn to be a bad behaviour, even if doing so may have about anything. moral rebel. costs?

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mal performance. There are clear parallels Is it good for you to be good? From an emotional perspective, between Jensen’s notion of integrity and we know that having a positive the ancient Greek notion of virtue as a If we think of human virtue as not limited to moral matters but also to social network, avoiding toxic kind of excellence. physical, emotional and mental matters, then it’s possible to understand people and having a positive state From a human perspective, Jensen also how being virtuous might be good for you. defines integrity as “keeping one’s word,” of mind by avoiding ruminating meaning, in simple terms, doing what on anxious negative thoughts are we say we’ll do and if unable to follow seen in the quality of their eyes and skin, ourselves away, we ourselves move toward ways in which we can practise through as promised, then taking action THOMAS CULHAM and there were other positive consequences. flourishing.” being emotionally virtuous. to repair the damage or problems caused. Visiting Lecturer, Beedie School of Business, A virtuous person would live a healthy long They also note: “By grasping onto what Simon Fraser University, Simon Fraser life, the Chinese believed. we currently have, we lose out on better Integrity leads to better performance University If we think of human virtue as not lim- goods that we might have gained.” its impact on happiness and We understand that an automobile will ited to moral matters but also to physical, With respect to gratitude, U.S. psychol- well-being and discov- not perform properly if one of the tires hen I was very young, five or emotional and mental matters, then it’s ogy professor Robert Emmons has studied ered that there is a is running low on air or is flat. You can six, my parents always told possible to understand how being virtuous positive relation- probably still drive the car, but it doesn’t me: “Tommy, be good.” But all might be good for you. ship between work very well. I wanted to do was run in the gratitude and When a vehicle is in good condition woods,W play in puddles, eat fast, swim and Physical health as virtue happiness. and has integrity, it performs effectively. have fun. I didn’t have time for manners. Take physically. We all know what The more Jensen argues, similarly, that when people Being good seemed always to benefit some- it takes to be physically healthy: grateful we are, within an organization act with integrity, one else, not me. Why do I have to follow Good diet, exercise, adequate sleep, the happier we the organization will perform much better. rules, not cut in line, say pleasant things to etc. One could say that when we do are. Ethics, not greed, boost profits. He pro- others when all I feel like doing is telling these things, we are being physically These are mat- vides the example of implementing integri- them off. It’s good for others, right? virtuous, and we attain the virtue of ters of interperson- ty in his firm the Social Science Research Well, yes … and maybe no. Maybe it’s good health. al affairs, but even in Network and experiencing increased out- good not just for others, but for me too. Similarly, from an emotional per- business there is an argu- put of 300 per cent with no increase in It’s easy to see how following the rules of spective, we know that having a positive ment that integrity produces costs. Jensen argues that the interpersonal the road is good for you. But what about social network, avoiding toxic people positive payback for individuals and interactions of business people is a factor other subtler virtues, like being polite, and having a positive state of mind by firms. of productivity, just as effective utilization empathetic, generous, grateful, honest and avoiding ruminating on anxious negative Michael Jensen of Harvard Business of capital and labour are necessary for the even altruistic? thoughts are ways in which we can prac- School defines integrity as: “A state or success of any company. The ancient Greeks had the view that tise being emotionally virtuous. condition of being whole, complete, Jensen argues that integrity is not just virtue was broader than our current under- These examples illustrate that engag- unbroken, unimpaired, sound, in perfect an option—it’s a necessary condition for standing of morality. They believed virtue ing in virtuous physical and emotional condition.” It’s essential to ensure opti- performance. These are not unusual or could be seen in any object, or in the activities is good for you. unfamiliar ideas. We all have experiences behaviour of people, as the expression of OK, so what about higher-level with companies that we know we can excellence or perfection. For example, they virtues such as generosity, grati- trust, and those we don’t. It’s not difficult felt one could hear virtue in music or see it tude and integrity? While there to imagine that trustworthy companies in a horse. may not be a sculpture dedicated will enjoy customer loyalty, repeat business to you and your good deeds, and likely better financial performance. A horse named Virtue being good is, in fact, good Is it good for Tommy to be good? As In music, virtue might be described like it for you. a child, I thought being good was for the is in Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” as heavenly, Considering generos- benefit of others and it really wasn’t all and could be generalized as excellence. ity, Christian Smith and that necessary. But I am learning at many Physically, a horse that is healthy and Hilary Davidson, authors levels that the virtues that contribute flawless might be considered an excellent of the book The Paradox to good physical, emotional, mental and (virtuous) specimen of a horse. of Generosity: Giving interpersonal health, defined as morals, The ancient Chinese also held a similar We Receive, Grasping are good for me too. expansive view of virtue. They believed that We Lose, argue: But one aside: If I am generous to you the more virtuous a person was, the more “Generosity is par- and expect something in return, this is not physically healthy they were. It could be adoxical. By giving virtue. It’s a business exchange.

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The economic cost of corruption the national Treasury. In economic par- of stiff fines, and mandatory jail sentences. Understanding the economic The role of human capital on economic lance, this would qualify as an illicit Kenya’s legal system Another step in the right direction would growth has long been established. So, financial “outflow”: an illegal cross-bor- must make corruption be to grant both the auditor general and when human capital takes a hit the impact der movement of money or capital. the ethics and anti-corruption commission cost of corruption in Kenya is also felt on economic development and The illegal transfer of funds out of expensive and unattractive prosecutorial powers. The scourge of corruption in Kenya must be urgently addressed growth. African countries is a recognised con- for perpetrators by the Third, the law could be reviewed to Let’s take Kenya’s National Youth straint on the continent’s economic devel- imposition of stiff fines, and ensure that those convicted of economic otherwise it could be bringing the economy to its knees. As things Service as an example of a public organisa- opment because it denies local popula- crimes suffer lasting embarrassment and stand, Kenya is already struggling to pay its debts. tion where corruption is believed to be rife. tions the use of that money for national mandatory jail sentences. the greatest possible financial loss. To In 2015, approximately USD$17 million development. Another step in the right achieve this, all the proceeds from corrup- called Goldenberg International 35% more was stolen from its coffers by a network of The Global Financial Integrity tion must be repossessed by the state and BY ODONGO KODONGO direction would be to grant in Kenyan shillings than their foreign cur- companies that supplied goods and service report estimates that from 2005 to 2014 channelled back to public use. Convicts Associate professor, University of the rency earnings. at inflated prices. Africa lost between USD$36 billion and both the auditor general would then be barred from holding public Witwatersrand More recently, in 2014 millions of dol- And this year billions of shillings ear- USD$69 billion in illicit financial flows. and the ethics and anti- office or doing business for several years lars were misappropriated from funds that marked for the service were embezzled This represents about 74% of all financ- corruption commission after their release. enya is perceived as one of the were secured by the government through a by a shadowy network of dubious service ing required (approximately USD$93 Fourth, strict standards of ethical con- world’s most corrupt countries. It Eurobond, which is an international loan providers. billion per year) to develop infrastructure prosecutorial powers. duct could be imposed for anyone seeking ranked 143 out of 180 countries that was secured from foreign investors. A This money was all earmarked for to service Africa’s growth needs. public office. This would entail full disclo- on Transparency International’s second Eurobond was secured in 2018 and youth vocational training. The theft not In Kenya’s case, the Eurobond swin- sure on the sources of campaign funds, 2017K corruption perception index. The questions have been raised here as well. only jeopardises the country’s short-term dle was more than just a missed opportu- Finding solutions public declarations of wealth and lifestyle only African countries that scored worse— Yet, the looting of public coffers is more skills provision objectives: it also portends nity to expand the country’s inadequate Given these observations, what measures audits, and enforcement of voter bribery among them Somalia, South Sudan, Libya, commonly reported in recent times and irredeemable long-term opportunity costs. and dilapidated infrastructure. It also led can Kenya take to stem the debilitating legislation. Eritrea, Burundi, and Zimbabwe—were the amounts involved are growing. During Corruption compromises people’s to a sovereign rating downgrade on the theft of public resources? Fifth, the national fight against poverty, either politically unstable or in conflict. May and June 2018, reports about grand futures and their development. It also costs basis of its increasing inability to service First, a national ethos that inculcates ignorance and disease must be intensified This poor showing shouldn’t come as corruption have dominated Kenyan news. a fortune. Rampant corruption will drain ballooning public debt. the value of work as the only means to to improve quality of life, and empower a surprise. Kenya has been plagued by a This haemorrhaging of public funds will do any economy of the resources needed for A sovereign rating is a measure of a wealth accumulation must be built. A pos- citizens to perform their civic duties, such long list of corruption scandals. One of the enormous damage to the country’s already projects like infrastructure development. country’s creditworthiness. And a down- sible way of achieving this is for education as the choice of legislative representatives, more infamous was the Goldenberg heist struggling economy. To illustrate, let’s take a look at the mis- grade signals that the country has not policy makers to emphasise social ethics as in a more meaningful way. which occurred in the 1990s during then The scourge of corruption in Kenya use of funds from the Kenya government’s optimally invested money borrowed on a compulsory subject right from primary Finally, it would be worthwhile for the President Daniel Moi’s tenure. must be urgently addressed otherwise it 2014 Eurobond, which was believed to be capital projects, such as infrastructure. school all the way up to the university. national public prosecutor to sign treaties The government was found to have could be bringing the economy to its knees. Africa’s largest such issuance at the time. Capital projects typically increase nation- Second, Kenya’s legal system must with “tax haven” countries to block or subsidised exports of gold far beyond stan- As things stand, Kenya is already strug- Reports indicate that some of the al income and better a country’s ability to make corruption expensive and unat- repatriate illicit financial outflows from dard arrangements by paying a company gling to pay its debts. money may not have been deposited into repay its debts. tractive for perpetrators by the imposition Kenya.

112 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 113 ANNIVESARYPOLITICS EDITION Commentary Kenya illustrates both the promise as well as the pitfalls of devolution One of the most serious by devolution have no outlet. For exam- takes all” politics seen at the national deficiencies of devolution has ple, in Maasai majority Kajiado, much level is visible at the county level. Ethnic land is owned by non-Maasai, leading to majorities in power see it as their “turn been the failure to devolve land tensions between the communities. to eat”—that is, to access state resourc- administration functions. The On top of this constitutional provi- es. This means that minority groups failure to resolve land issues sions to address land issues—such as are excluded from access to resource. means that there’s always the land redistribution and legislation on Corruption and clientelism (the exchange potential for conflict. historical injustices—have also not been of material resources for political sup- implemented. Taken together all of these port) are endemic at the national level factors mean that the drivers of land- and also visible in the counties. based conflict—for example in the Rift A lack of resources—both in terms MICHELLE D’ARCY Valley and at the Coast— remain. of financing and administrative capaci- Assistant Professor in Political Science, Trinity The main constraints on devolution ty—have also been a major issue in key College Dublin are similar to those at the national level: service delivery issues, such as health, the predominance of ethnic politics, cor- with county governments ill equipped to t is five years since Kenya shifted ruption and lack of resources. manage complex tasks. from centralised control to devolution The same form of high stakes “winner In addition, the attitude of the in which 47 counties were given a free national government and partisan divi- hand to set their development agenda. sions between governors have prevent- AfterI years of tension and turf wars with ed the realisation of devolution in its central government, the transition is now most comprehensive form. For example, largely complete. The Conversation Africa’s the resistance of central government to Julius Maina asked Michelle D’Arcy for a land reform combined with the divisions broad assessment between government and opposition gov- ernors have prevented this issue being Has devolution made Kenya’s addressed. Without these obstacles, if governance stronger or weaker over fully implemented, devolution might be the past five years and in which able to more fully realise the vision of ways? the Constitution as a means of deliver- Both. On the one hand, institutionally it has ing development, political stability and strengthened democracy in Kenya. It has national integration. increased separation of powers by adding a new layer of governance at the county level What can other African countries and a set of powerful new actors in the gov- learn from Kenya’s experience? ernors. But it has had adverse effects on the The Kenyan experience demonstrates the politics of identity by strengthening ethnic promise and pitfalls of devolution. On the identification and tying it to homelands. positive side, some benefits will trickle This has marginalised minorities within central government attempts at re-central- What are the main failures? titling—remain in the Ministry of Lands The Kenyan experience down when resources are devolved to counties and increased new possibilities isation. One of the most serious deficiencies of while the County Land Management demonstrates the promise powerful political actors at the local level. for conflict at both the county and national Second, devolution has brought some devolution has been the failure to devolve Boards - the boards responsible at the In the Kenyan case the most obvious level. level of resources and development to the land administration functions. The failure county level for reclaiming public lands and pitfalls of devolution. benefits have been visible and easy-to- local level and particularly to counties that to resolve land issues means that there’s illegally acquired - have been abolished. On the positive side, build developmental goods like street What can you list as the main have been marginalised from national pol- always the potential for conflict. In addi- Devolution has re-ignited many some benefits will trickle lighting and roads, as well as increased successes? itics for a long time. It’s true that resourc- tion, meaningful development is difficult. pre-existing land conflicts and created employment in county government The main success of devolution to date has es haven’t always been used effectively. The impact of this has definitely been felt. new ones. It has increased a sense of down when resources administration. been, first and foremost, that it has been Corruption remains an issue at the county Land grievances fuelled the post-election “ownership” on the part of ethnic major- are devolved to powerful But devolution is not a panacea for implemented. This was not guaranteed. But level. Nevertheless, in many counties there violence in 2007-2008. These grievances ity communities, and their demands for political actors at the the political pathologies a country faces: in some of the most important areas–espe- are new health centres, roads and street have not been addressed and have arguably land redistribution. But the administra- it at best reflects and at worst reinforces cially on fiscal resources- governors have lights that wouldn’t be there without devo- been exacerbated by devolution. tive structure remains centralised which local level. underlying problems such as negative coordinated and fought effectively to resist lution. All-important land functions—such as means that political pressures generated ethnicity and corruption.

114 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 115 DIPLOMACY Commentary

of Kenya’s reaction to any threats on Kenya - Somalia maritime boundary tiff its territorial boundaries: Uganda’s Amin, for example. In this latest ter- ritorial claim, the maritime bound- ary claim, history is being remade and Kenya must stand up, and be a shaper of this history this time round. Even at this hour, Somalia has the option of delinking the maritime boundary issue with its domestic affairs. Somalia has also the option Kenya and Somalia delegation pose for a photo after meeting at International Court of Justice in of taming the appetite of commercial The Hague, Netherlands on October 3, 2019. interests and be worry of the role to survive? Fortunately, this is not in Somalia, coupled with desperate of the private firms in accentuating how Kenya rocks. We remain gen- short-term international commer- strategic issues in the Indian Ocean tlemen and very accommodating as cial interest in the Horn of Africa, and beyond. a nation, absorbing all kinds of are the probable prime movers of As Kenyans, we cannot remain provocation and occasional insults the maritime boundary claims, sup- docile as the level of military foot- from all around. We have remained ported by illicit and mischievously print in the neighbouring waters is a focussed nation, working towards redrawn maps that annex a large growing as never before and every the integration of all nations of part of Kenya’s maritime domain to big power exercising its influence Africa. Somalia. If this scenario is true, can in the Indian Ocean and the sur- In the whole of this mix, as Somalia rethink long term and about rounding waters. Neither can we responsible nations existing in a the sustainability of its claim? remain docile as the Somalia mar- global space, let us not forget that History is replete with examples itime boundary claim plays back good neighbourliness demands that to our own domestic politics. This in cases of disputes, both real or illegal claim and act of provocation, Without Kenya, Somalia would not be existing as an independent state, worrying about imagined, we have instruments, tools As Kenyans, we cannot remain is a Kenya issue that both the elite international and strategic issues like maritime boundaries. Somalia would be worrying about and memorandum of understanding docile as the level of military and Wanjiku should prosecute with basic necessities like food, water and medicine for its citizens. (MOU) to turn to in a bid to resolve footprint in the neighbouring sense of purpose and nationhood. It any issues or disputes, if any, before waters is growing as never is not a government alone fight—but functions are to settle international and even socially, to ensure a free, rushing to the ICJ, unless, of course, a threat to the essence of Kenya’s DR HANNINGTONE GAYA PhD, EBS before and every big power legal disputes submitted by states liveable and stable Somalia, that one is privy to the possible outcome nationhood and identity, and there- exercising its influence in Former Chairman- Brand Kenya and give advisory opinions on legal country is Kenya. When the world at the Hague. fore every Kenyans fight! issues referred to it by authorized turned its back on the then war-torn As a country, we feel and know the Indian Ocean and the Kenyans must see this maritime on’t bite the hand that UN organs and specialized agencies. Somalia, Kenya stood with what was that the upcoming general elections surrounding waters. boundary claim for what it is: it is feeds you, states a classic Without Kenya, Somalia would left in the territory, including open- not a dispute; it is an act of aggres- idiom that we ought to be not be existing as an independent ing its borders in an act of human- sion. We are being made the collat- all aware of. Kenya may state, worrying about international itarian effort to shelter, feed, clothe eral damage as a part of Somalia’s Dnot be perfect, but without Kenya, and strategic issues like maritime and treat the fleeing hordes of the domestic politics, around the forth- Somalia as a country would not be boundaries. Somalia would be wor- Somali people. Hence, the world’s coming general elections and fuelled existing, let alone having the audac- rying about basic necessities like largest and most populated refugee by short term and naïve international ity, legal and diplomatic capacity to food, water and medicine for its camp, Dadaab. commercial interests. take any issue anywhere, let alone citizens. That Kenya has always chosen The only exit is for Somalia to having access as a recognized sov- Somalia and its friends ought, the path of good neighbourliness, withdraw the unacceptable illegal ereign state, to the International therefore, to take cognisance of even under provocative environment, maps that annex a large part of Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, this simple fact and uncondition- is not a reason to imagine that Kenya’s maritime domain to Somalia. Netherlands. ally withdraw its claim on Kenya’s Kenya cannot flex its muscle, if Kenya will not yield not an inch Founded on 26 June 1945, in maritime territory, even as a selfish, push comes to shove. For instance, less of its territory. San Francisco, California, United self-serving survival strategy. what would prevent Kenya taking States, the ICJ, also called the World It is not lost to the world that if away from the hands of Somalia, its Dr Hanningtone Gaya is a past chairman Court, is the principal organ of the there is a country that has sacrificed ability to provide the basic neces- of the Media Owners Association of Kenya and the Brand Kenya Board United Nations (UN), whose primary emotionally, politically, economically sities Somalia as a country needs

116 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 117 GENDER Opinion

sector. Few of them have been able Additionally, the absence of spe- to supply major projects in the coun- cialized professional and technical try, which is a clear indication that support to women-owned manufac- Let us strive to increase women now have the capacity to turing enterprises and programmes challenge normative norms to scale that do not match global trends for up. Now more than ever, women are training women entrepreneurs deter women’s participation getting engaged in hard hitting sec- consistent and sustainable growth. tors that are providing better capital However, institutions are now investments, more profits and better starting to pay attention to the inter- in industry returns to ensure sustainable eco- mediate role that women are playing nomic growth. in growing our industry. In fact, the Additionally, we are also seeing Women in Manufacturing (WIM) more women taking lead in manu- Programme housed at KAM is a facturing companies in the automo- setup that is steering women to firm- tive, tobacco, chemical and furniture ly and courageously take up their sectors. In fact, tremendous growth position in industry. WIM Kenya in the past few years, among these aims to directly drive and shape the sectors, has been attributed to the women in manufacturing agenda at women at the helm of these compa- national level. nies. These women are now becom- Having taken up similar con- ing ultimate inspirational leaders in cepts from Women in Manufacturing business in the country and in the (WIM) international, WIM Kenya is continent. set to reignite the drive to increase the But even with the new drive to participation of Women in Industry. include more women in industry, A research study by KAM and a variety of changeable hindrances International Center for Research continue to down efforts, resulting in on Women (ICRW) on the Women limited sustainable social-economic in Manufacturing in Kenya set to growth and reduced competitiveness. be unveiled in March next year, will Access to finance remains the pivot the advocacy drive of the KAM major cause of limited participation WIM program in Kenya. By provid- of women in industry, particularly ing concrete data on the necessary the absence of innovative financial areas to improve, the research study products for funding women start- will provide the essential foundation ups in non-traditional manufactur- to champion for an enabling environ- ing. In fact, a Forbes.com article ment to encourage better participa- articulates that limited funding is the tion of women in industry. first of 8 challenges affecting women By increasing the participation in the industry, further stating that it of women in industry we, directly is likely that women will be denied and indirectly, seek to achieve our By increasing the participation of women PHYLLIS WAKIAGA realized. The lack of appropriate loans because of gender and cultural overall economic goals in terms of Though the gaps in labour biases. It also states that a variety of increasing employment opportuni- CEO of Kenya Association of Business Development in industry we, directly and indirectly, force participation between men institutions are more inclined to fund ties, advancing skills and innovation Manufacturers and the UN Global Services also plays a role seek to achieve our overall economic and women remain large, the slight male-owned businesses. and providing them with financial goals in terms of increasing employment Compact Representative for Kenya increase in the number of women in hindering the success of The lack of appropriate Business security for themselves and their opportunities, advancing skills and joining manufacturing is a clear women in manufacturing. Development Services also plays families, which results in better living innovation and providing them with or decades, the success of indication that women are eager to This inefficiency leads to a role in hindering the success of conditions for the entire community. financial security for themselves and their women in manufacturing has explore new and uncultured oppor- inappropriate mechanisms women in manufacturing. This been mired by cultural per- tunities, particularly in manufactur- inefficiency leads to inappropriate families, which results in better living for assisting women ceptions of gender roles. But ing and value addition. entrepreneurs to adopt mechanisms for assisting women The Writer is the CEO of Kenya conditions for the entire community. now, these old-fashioned attitudes In Kenya, this is demonstrated entrepreneurs to adopt appropriate Association of Manufacturers and the F appropriate technology and UN Global Compact Representative for are becoming obsolete and the true by women who have ventured into innovation. technology and innovation, which is Kenya. She can be reached at ceo@kam. impact of women in industry is being the steel, building and construction necessary for enhancing production. co.ke.

118 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 119 MEDICINE Opinion Antibiotic resistance: Public awareness campaigns might not work One hundred and twenty-five countries are now carrying out drug resistance awareness campaigns. Before we congratulate ourselves on the global action, we need to evaluate their effectiveness and whether their side effects outweigh their benefits.

Even in theory, it is implausible that education and awareness campaigns alone will completely change people’s health behaviour. People’s actions are not just the result of an absence of knowledge.

MARCO HAENSSGEN For our study, we wanted to understand (for ampicillin) without necessarily know- became more likely to go resistance secondary to their hardship. the role of education and awareness rais- ing (or caring about) what these drugs do. to public health centres And yet when circumstances change, Assistant Professor in Global Sustainable ing in non-Western countries. To do this, We adapted the language in our work- when they were sick, but behaviour might change, too. Our study Development, University of Warwick we held half-day educational workshops shops to this context and “awareness” they also consumed dou- in Thailand revealed that the behaviour across five villages in Thailand and Laos. increased. An extra one-third of the partic- ble the amount of anti- of people whose family members help athogens, such as bacteria, viruses The findings of our research challenge the ipants understood “drug resistance” and its biotics than before the them through an illness was more in line and protozoa, are becoming ever conventional wisdom that awareness cam- meaning after the workshop. But we could workshop. In Thailand, with recommendations from the WHO, more resistant to drugs. People paigns are one of the best tools to change not prevent people from making their own rumours arose in the most irrespective of their awareness about drug speed up this natural process by the way people use medicine. sense of the new information. One partici- educated village that our resistance. Pover-using antibiotics and other antimi- Public health awareness campaigns pant felt so much more confident after the workshops were intended to One hundred and twenty-five coun- crobial drugs in medicine and agriculture, can have unintended outcomes, includ- workshop that she began selling antibiotics ban all local medicine sales. tries are now carrying out drug resistance and by leaking them into the environment. ing stigmatising people or inadvertently from her village shop! awareness campaigns. Before we congratu- The World Health Organisation (WHO) encouraging the behaviour they set out It is appealing to think that knowledge Information alone won’t cut it late ourselves on the global action, we need regards antimicrobial resistance as one to discourage. Similar problems exist in will improve behaviour, but the evidence is Even in theory, it is implausible that to evaluate their effectiveness and whether of the top ten global threats to health. In antimicrobial resistance campaigns and mixed. A recent survey in China detected, education and awareness campaigns alone their side effects outweigh their benefits. response to this “superbug” crisis, gov- they become even more complicated in the for example, that more educated people will completely change people’s health If factors like poverty, insecure income or ernments have created an action plan non-Western cultures of rural Thailand and were more likely to take leftover medicine behaviour. People’s actions are not just the lack of access to healthcare prevent people that includes global awareness campaigns. Laos. People may not think about illnesses instead of going to a clinic when they had result of an absence of knowledge. public health clinic for a prescription may from acting on good advice, then superbug However, our latest research suggests that being caused by bacteria or viruses, or they respiratory infections. For labourers or factory workers who be futile. They may take medicine from education and awareness campaigns will this strategy may not work. In fact, it may might not use technical words for “antibiot- We noted similar complications in our earn £8 a day to support their families, local stores in despair and (rightly) consid- prove costly, ineffective and insensitive to even be counterproductive. ics” but rather colloquial terms like “ampi” research. In Laos, workshop participants advice to undertake a journey to a distant er the global health goal of tackling drug people’s lives.

120 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 121 ENVIRONMENT Opinion

water to the environment complete with contaminants How to achieve sustainable (at low levels, but still present). In the UK, water services are based on legacy infra- The drive to install renewable structure systems; the country lives off Victorian engi- energy is stressing the electric grid clean water for everyone neering. These systems are ageing and deteriorating and distribution systems, which Global population growth is threatening the security of water supply and and will require unprecedented investment to be fit for the future. Therefore, the country needs to reimagine its were not designed to handle the when coupled with the impacts of climate change, it is clear that our decentralised sources and variable historical approach to the provision of water may not remain feasible. water services to deliver water sustainably via systems that are affordable, adaptable and resilient. inputs that characterise renewables

a healthy society. In the developed world, Water security under threat such as solar and wind power. VANESSA SPEIGHT most people are able to take this service for Global population growth is threatening the security Senior research fellow, University of Sheffield granted and pay very little for it. of water supply and when coupled with the impacts of So, the sustainable water systems of the future also But even if there is not a large eco- climate change, it is clear that our historical approach need the disruptive innovation of collective mobilisa- JOBY BOXALL nomic cost, a global environmental cost is to the provision of water may not remain feasible. tion to deliver and support transformation. Energy- being paid for the luxury of this service. Increasingly stringent drinking water quality and saving measures are being implemented throughout Professor, University of Sheffield Water systems extract large quantities of environmental discharge standards protect us from urban water systems including pumping at non-peak he provision of clean, safe drink- water from the environment, require ener- pollutants but require increasingly complex and ener- times and recovering heat from wastewater. But there ing water in much of the world is gy, chemicals and infrastructure to treat gy-consuming treatment. Leakage of water from ageing is potential for a closer linkage between the water and one of the most significant public and pump water to our houses, then require infrastructure wastes more of this precious resource, energy systems by considering the synergies between health achievements of the past cen- more energy and infrastructure to remove yet the costs of replacing that infrastructure seem distribution systems for both utilities. Ttury—and one of the foundation stones of waste, treat it, and return some of that insurmountable. The drive to install renewable energy is stressing Perhaps it is time to reconsider the one-size-fits- the electric grid and distribution systems, which were all approach of large centralised infrastructure and not designed to handle the decentralised sources and instead pursue a suite of solutions tailored to local variable inputs that characterise renewables such as needs. Could it be possible to have water systems that solar and wind power. The opportunity exists for water have no adverse impact on the environment, or better systems, which operate at the neighbourhood level yet—water systems with positive impacts for people, just like electricity networks, to be configured to act society, the environment and the economy? as energy storage systems to offset the variability in Such a transformation of water systems will require electric power generation to store heat or energy in new technology but also new ways for people to inter- the form of pressurised water. Research is ongoing to act with water. Research into treatment technologies determine the full potential and optimal scales for such such as low-pressure membrane systems that will work interactions between water and electric grids but could under gravity flow without pumps could have great offer a way to optimise existing infrastructure for both potential for treating a variety of water sources at a utilities. variety of scales. These examples give some insight into how tech- But will people want to install a device in their nology will be essential to transform our current unsus- homes to create drinking water from, for example, tainable systems to deliver adaptable and resilient rainwater in their neighbourhood pond? And what water services across a range of futures and contexts. regulatory and policy frameworks would be required Large, centralised infrastructure may still be required to enable this? There is a need for such devices to be in densely populated areas – in these situations disrup- engineered to be fail-safe to protect public health in the tive solutions need to work with the existing systems event of equipment malfunction. because high population density does not allow for land-intensive solutions and legacy infrastructure is too Crowdsourcing change expensive to just abandon. Mobilisation of people could offer great transformative Given the 50-to-100-year service life for water potential for our water systems. For example, engineer- infrastructure, a change in philosophy is needed now to ing researchers are working to design treatment sys- avoid another century of unsustainable water service. tems to remove fats, oils and grease from sewers before Such disruptive innovations, when combined in a way they cause major blockages, known as “fatbergs”. to suit each distinct context, could deliver sustainable However, such technology would not be required if all water solutions for all—from megacities to remote users of the system jointly protected the infrastructure rural communities, to the rapidly developing parts of by disposing of fats in another way. the world.

122 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 123 ICT Opinion

The second way that governments tion has always been an invaluable polit- restrict internet access is by applying Online spaces have become the ical tool for many African governments. content blocking techniques. They restrict platform for various forms of The loss of this control, at a time when Shutting down access to particular sites or applications. the media has brought politics closer to This is the most common strategy and it’s political expression that many the people, presents governments with a usually targeted at social media platforms. states especially those with distinctly unsettling reality. Social media, the internet The idea is to stop or limit conversations authoritarian leanings consider for example, inherently encourages politi- on these platforms. subversive. Governments argue, cal indiscipline and engenders the produc- doesn’t work – Online spaces have become the plat- for example, that social media tion and circulation of alternative political form for various forms of political expres- platforms encourage the spread of narratives. sion that many states especially those In addition, because it is a networked but governments with authoritarian leanings consider sub- rumours which can trigger public platform, users are simultaneously and versive. Governments argue, for example, unrest. instantaneously local and international keep doing it that social media platforms encourage and are engaged in an information carni- the spread of rumours which can trigger val that is difficult to police. Quite often In most cases the desire to public unrest. the narratives therein are at variance with control the internet is rooted in This was the case in 2016 in Uganda the self-preserving and carefully construct- governments’ determination to during the country’s presidential elec- ed ideologies of the state. control the political narrative. Many tions. The government restricted access to see the internet as an existential social media, describing the shutdown as a The shutdown trends threat that must be contained no “security measure to avert lies … intended The irony, however, is that as these shut- to incite violence and illegal declaration of downs continue, even proliferate, there is matter the consequences. election results”. scant evidence they actually work. Instead, In Zimbabwe, the government blocked they seem to animate dissent and encour- social media following demonstrations age precisely the kind of responses con- over an increase in fuel prices. It argued sidered subversive by many governments that the January 2019 ban was because This has been the case in Burkina Faso the platforms were being “used to coordi- and Uganda, for example, where such bans nate the violence”. have simply increased the profile of the The third strategy, done almost by causes being agitated. stealth, is the use of what is generally Internet shutdowns don’t stop demon- known as “bandwidth throttling”. In this strations. Nor do they hinder the pro- GEORGE OGOLA and Zimbabwe. Last year there were 21 most serious is where the state completely case telecom operators or internet service duction and circulation of rumours: they such shutdowns on the continent. This was blocks access to the internet on all plat- providers are forced to lower the quality encourage them instead. Many people are Reader in Journalism, University of Central the case in Togo, Sierra Leone, Sudan and forms. It’s arguably the most punitive, with of their cell signals or internet speed. also circumventing the shutdowns through Lancashire Ethiopia, among others. significant social, economic and political This makes the internet too slow to use. the use of virtual private networks (VPNs). The justifications for such shutdowns are costs. “Throttling” can also target particular These are networks that redirect internet usually relatively predictable. Governments The financial costs can run into mil- online destinations such as social media activity to a computer in a different geo- s the internet continues to gain con- often claim that internet access is blocked lions of dollars for each day the internet sites. graphical location thus enabling access to siderable power and agency around in the interest of public security and order. is blocked. A Deloitte report on the issue sites blocked in one’s own country. VPNS the world, many governments have In some instances, however, their reasoning estimates that a country with average What drives governments are now par for the course in countries like moved to regulate it. And where borders on the curious if not downright connectivity could lose at least 1.9% of its In most cases the desire to control the Zimbabwe. Aregulation fails, some states resort to inter- absurd, like the case of Ethiopia in 2017 daily GDP for each day all internet services internet is rooted in governments’ deter- The future of unfettered internet net shutdowns or deliberate disruptions. and Algeria in 2018 when the internet was are shut down. mination to control the political narrative. access in Africa looks precarious should The statistics are staggering. In India shut down apparently to curb cheating in For countries with average to medium Many see the internet as an existential governments continue on this trajectory. alone, there were 154 internet shutdowns national examinations. level connectivity the loss is 1% of daily threat that must be contained, no matter The absence in many African countries of between January 2016 and May 2018. This Whatever their reasons, governments GDP, and for countries with average to what consequences it will have on other enforceable constitutional guarantees that is the most of any country in the world. have three general approaches to controlling low connectivity it’s 0.4%. It’s estimated sectors. protect the public’s right to information But similar shutdowns are becoming citizen’s’ access to the web. that Ethiopia, for example, could lose up The internet is seen as a threat because means there are few opportunities for common on the African continent. Already to US$500,000 a day whenever there is a it disrupts older forms of government legal redress. This makes the development in 2019 there have been shutdowns in How they do it shutdown. These shutdowns, then, damage political control, particularly the control of legislative regimes that recognise and Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Internet shutdowns or disruptions usually businesses, discourage investments, and of information. The stranglehold on the protect access to the internet both urgent Congo, Republic of Congo, Chad, Sudan take three forms. The first and probably the hinder economic growth. production and dissemination of informa- and necessary.

124 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 125 ECONOMY Beyond Business Independence is at the heart of articulating a well-thought out develop- the AfDB’s ability to be effective Implicit independence is ment agenda. Secondly, the extent of the reflected in the capacity bonding role provided by non-regional developed country member states, whose As Africa’s only premier development bank, AfDB was the first and only African (reputation) of the bank development organisation to offer any meaningful support to regional member capital markets or partnering development countries’ effort at managing the devastating consequences of Covid-19. to mobilise substantial organisations may be sources of this pri- capital, usually in mary capital raising. The record on this source of bank inde- multiples of its capital pendence has been significantly bright- base, for prosecuting ened under the current leadership of the grand development bank headed by Dr Akinwunmi Adesina. Starting in 2018, the bank set itself the agendas of the region that ambitious goal of mobilising substantial need huge capital outlay. capital to support development projects of its regional member states. These kinds of skewed voting rights The bank embarked on a host of road- put a dangerously destabilising power in shows, securing for the first time, commit- the hands of a non-regional member who ments of between $30 billion - $60 billion. at any time may get the itch for autocracy. This kind of substantial capital mobil- This was demonstrated recently when the isation is vital for the effectiveness of any US brashly attempted to veto a corporate development bank. Particularly, in light of governance guided decision of the bank’s the fledgling nature of Africa’s organised board, mainly by virtue of its relative capital markets – with the exception of voting right. South Africa – it is an enormously import- This kind of possibility clearly com- ant capacity for AfDB to build. promises the independence of the bank. For instance, as Africa’s only premier Sensibly, this should have been antic- development bank, AfDB was the first and ipated. A carefully nuanced structuring only African development organisation to missions without external sway. Objective independence All four of the world’s biggest regional of board powers should have been put in offer any meaningful support to regional KALU OJAH There are two aspects to this indepen- Objective independence is conventionally development banks have explored the ben- place, with checks against such a likeli- member countries’ effort at managing the Professor of Finance & Deputy Head of dence. The first is objective independence. reflected in the distribution of capital con- efit of non-regional member states. hood. Such a balancing act would also devastating consequences of Covid-19. School, Wits Business School, University of This talks to how the institution is set up, tribution (ownership share subscription) of But the AfDB falls short on this score. have endeavoured to imbue regional mem- Under Adesina’s leadership, a coherent the Witwatersrand who has shares in it and the like. Regional member states. This speaks to voting rights This is because non-regional members ber states with some “power of insistence” and clearly articulated (and encouragingly development banks typically get sharehold- and associated board of governors’ and dominate the top capital contributors of on determining their collective goals and ambitious) continental development agen- ndependence is a cardinal pillar for er contributions of capital (which deter- directors’ compositions. the bank’s capital base. mission. da has been set down. Under the rubric of organisations that are set up to deliver mines country shareholdings). They then This aspect of the bank independence This “league table” ranking typically That said, regional member states’ “High Fives” it covers power, food, indus- a public good. Their success depends go to capital markets to borrow multiples gives details of the governance architecture reflects the voting rights accorded mem- contribution heft, still remains the best trialisation, integration and improving the on it. of their capital base (money from share- around decision making and the day-to- ber states. And unlike the other regional path to ensuring robustness of this aspect quality of life in and for Africa. IThis is particularly true of development holders). Objective independence depends day running of the bank. The bank pres- banks, three of the top five capital contrib- of bank independence. banks such as African Development Bank, on shareholder contributions. ident and board of directors – appointed utors in AfDB are non-African states. And Vital role AfDB and Inter-American Development The second aspect of independence is by a board of governors – are mandated 50% or more of the top 10 contributors are Implicit independence The upside potentials of these projects are Bank. Independence is even more import- implicit independence. This talks to the to implement decisions and run the daily also non-African states. Implicit independence is reflected in the evidently great and promising. ant in these instances because these institu- ability of the bank to borrow from capital affairs of the bank. One, therefore, has to ask where are capacity (reputation) of the bank to mobil- But, for this promise to become a reality, tions are owned by – and are meant to cater markets. The reputation of the bank is key It is in this aspect of bank independence Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Ethiopia, Cote- ise substantial capital, usually in multiples the AfDB needs to be effective at its mis- for – numerous regional member states. to its ability to mobilise capital to pursue that non-regional member states are typi- d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Senegal, Angola – and of its capital base, for prosecuting grand sion, via robust bank independence. In my view their ability to deliver on the bold development plans. cally invited to foster transparency of gov- others – in response to the vital imperative development agendas of the region that The bank’s leadership needs its hands objective of assisting member states attain The AfDB is one of four main regional ernance, inject diversity, and enrich board of ensuring their regional bank’s indepen- need huge capital outlay. strengthened by the cooperation and sup- economic growth and sustainable devel- banks of the world. The other three are the decisions with global best practice. These dence? This list is of countries that could Until recently, this had evidently not port of African countries. For a start, opment is inexorably dependent on their Asia Development Bank, Inter-American are often governments or organisations be, but are not, among the top capital been explored by the African Development African countries must increase their own- independence. By this I mean their capacity Development Bank and European Bank for invited from developed, well-performing contributors to AfDB’s ownership and Bank. This capacity is usually flagged ership subscriptions in their only regional to focus productively on their goals and Construction and Development. or geographically representative countries. capital base. by two factors. Firstly, conceiving and bank.

126 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 127 MEDIA Research How community radio has contributed to building peace: a Kenyan case study Destructive power Most people at the grassroots in Kenya has a vibrant radio sector Kenya, especially during conflicts, still made up of public, community, believe that “if the radio said it, then it faith-based, international, pan- is true”. This is why radio is repeatedly regional and private radio stations singled out as a catalyst of inter-ethnic and communal violence. JACINTA MAWEU This was the case during the Rwanda genocide in 1994, and the 2007/8 Senior lecturer in Philosophy and Media post-election violence in Kenya. studies, University of Nairobi In Kenya, KASS FM, which broadcasts in the Kalenjin language, was singled out enya has witnessed post-election as one of the vernacular radio stations that violence in varying degrees since aired explicit hate messages during the the return of multiparty politics 2007 election cycle. in 1992. The worst was in 2008. It was accused of propagating violence SinceK then the country has had two con- tion in and one of its presenters, Joshua Sang, tested and deeply divisive elections in 2013 Kenya was among the suspects charged at the and 2017. was established in International Criminal Court. In the 2007-2008 post-election vio- Homa Bay in 1982 as an But the same destructive power lence, journalists and the media were partly initiative by the Kenyan gov- that radio wields as a popular blamed for dividing the country along eth- ernment and UNESCO. The country medium at the grassroots can be nic lines. The mainstream media, in partic- now has 11 community-based radio sta- harnessed to restore peace. ular, were accused of biased reporting and tions. These include Mang’elete FM, Koch And since community radio for framing issues with implicit or explicit FM, Radio Maendeleo, Pamoja FM, Ghetto among stations are closer to people at ethnic overtones. Some vernacular radio FM, and Shinyalu radio. members of the grassroots than the main- stations were also accused of fanning the In my study, I found several ways the Luo and Kikuyu stream broadcast and print violence by airing hate speech. through which community and faith-based communities. Civil society media, they provide an ideal But there’s been little focus on an media acted as platforms for building trust organisations such as avenue to create spaces where alternative role that community radio has and resilience. I also discovered several the International dialogue between people in con- played in the post-conflict period. In my cases in which community-based radio Rescue flict can safely take place. paper I set out to examine whether commu- stations were used to promote peace. Their nity radio had played a constructive role. capacity to foster diversity, intercultur- Community radio Next steps A key point in my research was to find al dialogue, and tolerance makes them Committee, stations can promote My research shows that com- out if it could be used to facilitate peaceful important partners in peacebuilding. with the support munity radio stations can promote social dialogue and build trust and resil- of American donor agen- dialogue and better dialogue and better understanding ience between – and among – different Positive messages through the cy, USAID, also successfully used understanding among conflicting communities. This communities in Kenya. airwaves radio to spread messages of peace. among conflicting is important because it’s clear that the Kenya has a vibrant radio sector made During my research I identified a num- The International Rescue Committee nature of post-election peace in Kenya up of public, community, faith-based, inter- ber of community and faith-based radio did this through a popular radio drama communities. remains fragile. national, pan-regional and private radio stations that used their platforms to cool dubbed Gutuka (a Kiswahili word meaning This is important The political space is still highly con- stations. With a population of about 47 tensions and lobby for peace during the “awaken”) which was broadcast through- because it’s clear tested with little or no trust between million access to radio is very high for both post-election violence of 2007/2008. out Kenya before and after the 2013 elec- and among politicians across the political urban and rural populations, with 95% of Examples included Pamoja FM in Nairobi’s tions. that the nature of divide as well as Kenyans from diverse rural and 94% of urban respondents having Kibera slum, Koch FM in Korogocho slum, There was also Amani FM, which was Swahili word for peace. The key objective post-election peace ethnic and political groups. access to a radio in the home. Over 50% and Radio Waumini (a national Catholic established in Tana River County, Eastern of establishing the station was to promote in Kenya remains Community media can be used as a of Kenyans get their news from the radio, radio station). Kenya, in the weeks prior to the 2017 gen- peace and tolerance throughout the elec- bridge builder to help diffuse the tensions especially in rural areas. Pamoja and Koch FM broadcast mes- eral elections. The station regularly broad- tions in a region historically known to fragile and mistrust that characterises Kenya The first community-based radio sta- sages of peace, tolerance and reconciliation cast passing peace messages. Amani is a have deeply divided political rivalry. today.

128 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 BUSINESS MONTHLY | MARCH-APRIL 2021 129 SERVICES Last Word Use of mobile money The World Bank ranks Kenya as a country with the highest user of Mobile Money Transactions in sub- Saharan Africa. “Kenya is the highest user of mobile phones for money transactions in the sub Saharan Africa region,” reads a tweet from World Bank.

rom a recent survey on Global of payments are done through the mobile social media. Users in Kenya spend close to but Kenyans appear to have found a way in the economy. Unlike previously when Mobile Consumer by Deloitte, phone applications. 3 hours a day on social media alone. The of conquering this challenge. Jumia Kenya mobile money platforms were largely used Kenya is leading the continent in CA further clarifies that, with a popu- latest social media consumption in Kenya The Government of Kenya for example, has reported a continuous for person to person cash transfers, they smartphone penetration and inter- lation of about 51.58 million, 43.3 million report recently released by the United has further necessitated decrease in the average price of a smart- are now increasingly being used to initiate Fnet usage. Kenya has a 91% penetration Kenyans have access to internet. Google States International University Africa the use of mobile money phone over the last three years. and cut business deals such as the pur- of sim card subscriptions only identifies 13 million active internet (USIU-Africa) in partnership with the U.S. Mobile money has contributed greatly chase of goods and services. In addition, compared to Africa’s 80%. users. High data prices contribute hugely Embassy in Nairobi, shows WhatsApp to through eCitizen platform, to the rise of mobile phone operators’ pop- the processing of instant short term loans, According to the Communications to the lower usage statistics as Kenya’s data be the most dominant platform, closely Kenyans pay for various ulation across the country. There are cur- driven by more than 300 loan apps, is fur- Authority (CA), globally, Kenya has the prices lately are higher than in neighbor- followed by Facebook. The comprehensive services such as renewal rently 47.6 million active mobile money ther deepening the use of mobile phones highest share of internet usage from ing countries. However, affordable smart- report is as follows WhatsApp – 88.6% accounts which accounted for a transac- in Kenya. mobile phones as compared to desktops. phones and declining mobile data prices, Facebook – 88.5% YouTube – 51.2% of driving licenses, tion value of $3.6 billion in 2018 alone, The World Bank ranks Kenya as a Internet access through the mobile phone are factors has driven growth in mobile Google – 41.3% Instagram – 39% Twitter application of passports, accessed through more than 200,000 country with the highest user of Mobile in the country recently hit 83%, overtaking phone subscriptions. – 27.9% Yahoo – 18.6% LinkedIn – 9.3% business registration agents country wide. Money Transactions in sub-Saharan Nigeria. For instance, Jumia Kenya, an Turning to social media, penetration and lastly Snapchat – 9.0%. Mobile money continues to grow, sup- Africa. “Kenya is the highest user of mobile online shop, reported that 70% of their has also contributed to high smartphone Historically, affordability of a smart- services among others. ported by increasing adoption of mobile phones for money transactions in the sub traffic comes from mobile phones and 50% buys as 8.3 million Kenyans are active on phone has been cited as a major challenge, payments applications by major sectors Saharan Africa region,” reads a tweet

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through Ria will are informed of the appli- cable exchange rate and transaction fee before sending money. Transfers sent through Ria reflect imme- diately in a customer’s M-Pesa account balance, saving recipients the trouble of currency conversions or having to visit an outlet to receive money sent to them. Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa says this makes it convenient for M-Pesa customers to access cash instantly any- where in the world. “This partnership will further increase the value we provide to our customers by offering them more choice and the power to receive transfers directly into their M-Pesa Source: Forbes accounts,” says Peter. from World Bank. or from M-Pesa into bank accounts and Some of Ria’s top markets include the The international lender says Kenya electronic card wallets. United States of America (US), Canada, the emerges top with a 68% score beating Currently, the maximum account bal- United Kingdom (UK), , Spain, in Sudan (52%) to second place while Gabon ance is Ksh 150,000 while maximum daily addition to the majority of European Union was placed third with 50% in the year transaction value is set at Ksh 300,000. (EU) countries. under review. Maximum amount per transaction is Ksh M-Pesa also has seen growth as a According to the Communications 150,000. One cannot withdraw less than preferred remittance channel by Kenyans Authority (CA), Kenyans performed 425.3 Ksh 50 at an M-Pesa agent outlet. in the diaspora looking to send money to million mobile transactions between July Recently, Safaricom Plc partnered with their families back home. According to the and September 2019 alone. Ria Money Transfer, to empower more than Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) statistics, Mobile money services such as M-Pesa 26 million M-Pesa customers to receive more than 40 percent of international and Airtel Money and T-Kash have become international money transfers from over 20 money transfers are now received through instrumental for within the country as well countries across the world. the service. as international money transfers. M-Pesa is Through the service, M-Pesa customers Through various mobile payment ser- the market leader with over 25.57 million are able to send and receive cash instant- vices, the standard of living in Kenya users, followed by Airtel with 3.77 mil- ly. Customers sending money to M-Pesa has improved greatly. Market traders, debt lion users and Telkom Kenya, 1.75 million collectors, farmers, cab drivers, etc., don’t users. have to carry around or transact in a Safaricom, the largest mobile phone large amount of cash. This means that the operator in Kenya, launched M-Pesa in occurrence of theft, robbery, and fraud is 2007. M-Pesa is a mobile phone-based reduced. Also, individuals and business money transfer, financing and micro financ- owners don’t have to wait in queues for ing app. M-Pesa enables users to depos- long hours to make different bill payments. it, withdraw, transfer money and pay for Uber, Glovo and other home deliveries goods and services easily with a mobile firms and applications are also facilitated phone device. by these mobile phone cash transfer apps. As a branchless banking service, users The Government of Kenya has fur- can deposit and withdraw money from a Mobile money services such as ther necessitated the use of mobile money network of agents that includes airtime M-Pesa and Airtel Money and through eCitizen platform, Kenyans pay for resellers and retail outlets acting as bank- various services such as renewal of driving ing agents. Users are charged a small fee T-Kash have become instrumental licenses, application of passports, business for sending and withdrawing money using for within the country as well as registration services among others. the service. M-Pesa charges will depend on international money transfers. In a nutshell, mobile money transfer the amount you are sending or withdraw- M-Pesa is the market leader with platforms are driving business while pro- ing. One can also move money from their over 25.57 million users. viding conveniences to millions of users accounts or credit cards direct to M-Pesa both locally and globally.

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