On 20th October 1952, Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba, Jomo Kenyatta, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei, and Achieng’ Oneko were arrested because of their role in the fight for independence. They became known as “The Kapenguria Six”. The day would later be commemorated as Kenyatta Day on every 20th October. When the new constitution was promulgated in 2010, Kenyatta Day was renamed to Mashujaa Day and it is now meant to honor all of Kenya’s heroes.
At C&R Group, we recognize that there are heroes who have given up so much to ensure that the financial services sector, in which we operate, is vibrant and competitive. On Mashujaa Day we would like to highlight some of the heroes who have given and continue to give Kenyans a conducive environment for investing.
NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE (NSE)
Started in 1954 as the Nairobi Stock Exchange, it later rebranded to the Nairobi Securities Exchange. NSE is a full member of the World Federation of Exchange, a founder member of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) and the East African Securities Exchanges Association.
Since 1954, the NSE has provided a platform for Kenyans with a desire to secure their futures and that of their families. The NSE has played a crucial role in the privatization of many firms in the country such as the Kenya Airways, Safaricom Limited and KCB Group. Privatization of firms has led to efficiency in management leading to more competitiveness of the currently listed firms. Furthermore, the NSE continues to improve the product offering it has, to ensure that Kenyans have more investment opportunities.
PATRICK NJOROGE
Patrick Njoroge was appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in 2015 and since his appointment, he has overseen the streamlining of financial institutions to ensure they operate to ensure transparency. He has streamlined up the banking sector, improved supervision and guidance measures while spearheading efforts to position Kenya as a financial hub. In the process he has won many awards, including AFDB Group’s Central Bank Governor of the year in 2016.
The reforms initiated by Dr. Njoroge have instilled confidence in the Kenyan market and because of this, investors have renewed belief in the strength of the systems in place in Kenya’s financial services sector.
For his role in streamlining the financial sector we celebrate Patrick Njoroge as a Finance Shujaa.
JENNIFER RIRIA
Jennifer Riria is the group CEO of Echo Network Africa and a founding member of Kenya Women Holding and Kenya Women Finance Trust Microfinance Bank.
She was the first female board member at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, paving the way for more women to be further involved in the operations at the exchange. Dr. Jennifer Riria has been recognized globally for her efforts to ensure the financial inclusion of women. Through her stewardship, KWFT has served over 3 Million women and disbursed over US$ 3 billion over a period of 25 years.
For her role in ensuring financial inclusion of women, we celebrate Dr. Jennifer Riria as a Finance Shujaa.
BENSON WAIREGI
Benson Wairegi is the group Managing Director of Britam East Africa. Dr. Wairegi has been at the helm of Britam for over 30 years now and has overseen tremendous growth of the company in terms of assets, customers and product offering.
He is a staunch advocate for investing and believes that more Kenyans should invest in local businesses. He has in the past stated that because of the goodwill that Britam has received from Kenyans, it is his desire that Britam East Africa is owned by more Kenyans.
For his advocacy in investing by Kenyans, we celebrate Benson Wairegi as a Finance Shujaa.
MWAI KIBAKI
Elected as the president of Kenya in 2002, Mwai Kibaki saw the country come out of a period of economic stagnation to realize GDP from 0.6% in 2002 to 3% in 2003, 4.9% in 2004, 5.8% in 2005, 6% in 2006 and finally 7% in 2007 all within his first term as president. In addition to that, his two presidential terms saw continuous growth of Kenya’s economy and infrastructure.
H.E. Mwai Kibaki’s administration through Vision 2030, drew up a blueprint for sustainable development and built a foundation that future administrations could base development on. This created a conducive environment for investors and entrepreneurs.
For his role in steering Kenya’s economic growth and making Kenya an economy attractive for investors, we celebrate Mwai Kibaki as a Finance Shujaa.
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