10 Kenyan companies with female CEOs
Celebrating leading women in Kenya
As of 2021, female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) made up 8.1 % (41) of Fortune 500 companies, and only four of them were women of colour.
1. Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Kenya Limited
Leading the pack is the 1946-founded Kenyan bank, DTB Kenya.
The bank’s current CEO is Nasim Devji. Devji serves as a Managing Director and the Group CEO at the bank. Appointed in 2001, Ms Devji is the longest-serving female CEO of a publicly listed company in Kenya.
2. Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen)
Founded in 1954, KenGen is the largest producer of electricity in the East African region.
The publicly listed power generating and supplying company is led by Rebecca Miano.
3. Keroche Breweries
Founded in 1997, Keroche Breweries is one of Kenya’s leading local breweries.
It is also the first large Kenyan brewery owned by a non-multinational company. At the helm of its leadership is its founder and entrepreneurial Nakuru businesswoman Tabitha Karanja Keroche
4. General Electric (GE) East Africa
GE East Africa is a multinational company with various stakes in healthcare, aviation and power.
Brenda Mbathi serves as the current GE East Africa CEO and Executive Director of Government Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Relations at GE Africa. Ms. Mbathi was appointed as the CEO in 2015.
5. Limuru Tea Plc
Founded in 1895 and listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Limuru Tea is one of Kenya’s oldest tea plantations.
Appointed in 2019, Dutch-born Gerridina Johanna Maria Ten Den is the current Limuru Tea CEO.
6. Zep-Re (PTA Reinsurance Company)
Founded in 1990, Zep-Re promotes trade, development, and integration within COMESA.
Appointed in 2017, the current CEO is Hope Murera. Prior to her appointment as the CEO, Ms. Murera served as a General Manager within Zep-Re. Zep-Re has regional subsidiaries in Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia and Uganda.
7. Echo Network Africa
Registered in 1982, Echo Network Africa, formerly known as Kenya Women Holding, is an NGO that focuses on empowering and improving the lives of women.
The current CEO at Echo is Dr Jennifer Riria, who has been the CEO since 1991.
8. East African Breweries Limited (EABL)
Founded in 1922, EABL is Kenya’s largest and most popular alcoholic and non-alcoholic bevergae manufacturer. EABL is a publicly listed company on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Jane Karuku was appointed as EABL’s Group Managing Director and CEO in 2020. Diageo is the largest shareholder of EABL.
9. Isuzu Motors East Africa Limited [Honourable Mention]
Formerly known as General Motors East Africa, Isuzu Motors is an automotive assembly plant located in Nairobi.
Rita Kavashe was appointed to her current position of Managing Director in 2017. In June 2021, Isuzu Motors celebrated the production of 100,000 vehicles at the Nairobi plant.
10. Microsoft Kenya [Honourable Mention]
Kendi Ntwiga was appointed as Microsoft’s Country Manager in 2021. Prior to her appointment as the Country Lead, Ms Ntwiga served as the General Manager of the East, West and Central Africa Cluster for Check Point Software.
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