Caleb Karuga is the textbook definition of resilience, epitomising the saying that whatever happens, life has to move on.
The journalist-turned-entrepreneur ventured into agribusiness in 2013 after he unexpectedly lost his TV job.
As a journalist, Karuga was earning less than Ksh100,000 per month but two years after venturing into poultry farming, he was making close to Ksh1 million.
Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Commercial Bank in 2022, Paul Russo has continued the trajectory of placing KCB as one of the most formidable financial institutions in the East African region.
Under his guidance, KCB has continued to expand its footprint in the East African market, offering innovative financial solutions to its customers.
Russo holds a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) degree from Moi University and Strathmore University.
Rita Kavashe is the Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa Limited which is one of the largest vehicle assemblers in Eastern and Central Africa, a position she has held since July 2017.
She is widely credited with growing the company’s profits year on year and streamlining the company’s operations ever since she took over the reins.
Despite the current economic harsh climate, the company paid its shareholders a record Ksh1 billion worth of dividends in March.
Peter Ndegwa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Safaricom, having taken over the position on 1st April 2020. He is the first Kenyan to serve as Safaricom’s CEO.
He has an academic background in accounting, with an MBA from the London Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi.
Dr James Mwangi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Equity Bank.
In June, Mwangi was feted the Top CEO of the Year award at the 2022 Think Business Banking Awards for his sterling leadership of the bank over the years.
The bank was also named the Best Bank in Kenya at the June awards.
Dr Gideon Muriuki is the Group Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Co-operative Bank.
He has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry and has served as Co-op MD since 2021.
Under his leadership, the financial institution scooped the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) 2022 Sustainable Finance Catalyst Awards in October.
Esther Kimani is the founder of Farmer-Life-Line Technology company.
She is skilled in seed certification, plant health, food safety, operations management, strategic planning and leadership.
Her firm invented a device that detects crop pests and diseases at an early stage.
Catherine Muraga currently serves as the managing director of the Microsoft Africa Development Center, Nairobi.
She describes herself as a leader who is passionate about applying technology to impact lives positively.
Catherine assumed the role in 2022 and has been tasked with nurturing local innovations.
Evans Kiragu is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mekan Games.
Kiragu’s firm is one of its kind in Eastern and Central Africa. The hyper-casual games studio creates immersive games for mobile phone users.
Keylie Muthoni Ogola is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of a startup called Eco Bana.
At Eco Bana, Muthoni and her staff seek to stop menstruation period poverty through the provision of quality, comfortable and affordable biodegradable sanitary pads that are manufactured using banana fibers.