In a year when the country raised the debt ceiling to a record Ksh9 trillion, witnessed the launch of a 120-kilometre railroad ‘to nowhere’, and massive layoffs across industries, one might be tempted to give up on the Kenyan dream. However, the resilience that Kenyans are known for, much to the awe of our East African neighbours, continues to manifest in some of the most successful business ventures in the country that continue to create jobs, and even more, keeping the hope of a self-sustaining future alive. The few captains of these companies have consistently held their status as the pacesetters of their industries spurring innovation, contributing considerable amounts of tax and continuing to expand the Kenyan footprint in the continent and beyond. Kenyans.co.ke recognises that sustained effort , celebrates their thought leadership and seeks to highlight their contributions in the hope that it will inspire more Kenyans into unlocking their innate industriousness. From the many Kenyans who have significantly impacted wealth creation in the country, we narrowed down on eight business leaders who have left an indelible mark in their industries this year. 1. Wachira Waruru For exactly two decades now, Royal Media Services (RMS) has been setting the agenda in the country and for that duration, the broadcaster’s Managing Director Wachira Waruru has been firmly in control. Since launching in 1999, the station under the stewardship of the MD, described by many as a no-nonsense result-oriented executive, has set the agenda for national conversations with award-winning journalism and innovative programming. In September 2019, under his supervision, the station’s elite investigative reporters Asha Mwilu and Waihiga Mwaura exposed brazen corruption that reportedly cost Maasai Mara University approximately Ksh190 million. Vice Chancellor Mary Walingo was sent on compulsory leave on Wednesday, September 11, soon after the damning exposé on Citizen TV. The broadcaster has also braved the media hiatus which has seen competitors declare hundreds of their staff redundant in an effort to cut costs. With the generally dwindling advertising revenue occasioned by the exit of giant betting firms and the withdrawal of government adverts from commercial media, RMS leaves 2019 generally unscathed, thanks to the stewardship of Wachira Waruru. 2. Joshua Oigara KCB CEO Joshua Oigara is among Top 100 Kenyans 2019.
There are a few ways to know if you have truly made your mark in the Kenyan business scene. One is undeniably heading a group […]