Since independence, Kenya has seen a growing number of women stepping up for CEO positions across various sectors like finance, banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, among others.
In this article, WoK has compiled a list of female CEOs in Kenya and the degrees that propelled them to the pinnacles of their careers.
Jane Karuku
Ms Jane Karuku is the CEO of EABL Kenya and the company’s Group Managing Director. She was appointed to the role on 1st January 2021 and is one of the most dynamic business leaders Kenya has produced.
She has previously held senior executive positions in other companies such as Telkom Kenya, Cadbury East Africa, Farmers Choice Kenya, Barclays Bank, and Kenya Cooperative Creameries.
M.s Karuku holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, she holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the National University, which is based in California.
Mary Mulili
Mary Mulili is the CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Kenya, a role she took over in 2024. She made history after becoming the company’s first CEO in its 11 years since it entered the Kenyan market.
Mary holds a bachelor’s degree in education, with a specialization in accounting and economics. She also holds a Diploma in Business Management as well as an MBA in finance.
Aside from UBA, Mary sits on the board of the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO) and is the vice chairperson of the International Chamber of Commerce Kenya’s Banking Commission.
Esther Muchemi
Esther Muchemi is the founder and Group CEO of the Samchi Group of Companies. Samchi has various businesses across sectors such as telecommunications, microfinance, real estate, hospitality, and ICT.
Samchi made history by becoming the first M-Pesa agent in Kenya, and Esther was honoured by Safaricom as the country’s top Mpesa agent.
Esther’s educational repertoire is as impressive as her achievements. After completing her secondary education, she joined the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
She is also a Certified Public Accountant through the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
Rita Kavashe
Rita Kavashe is one of the most accomplished corporate leaders in Kenya. She is the managing director of Isuzu East Africa. Kavashe has been working at Isuzu for the past 27 years.
She made history in 2011 when she became Isuzu’s first Kenyan Managing Director. She also held various sales and marketing roles in various companies in East and Southern Africa before joining Isuzu.
You may be surprised to learn that Rita Kavashe is a trained teacher and holds a Bachelor’s in Education degree from Moi University.
Additionally, she holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi.
June Chepkemoi
Ms. June Chepkemoi is the CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board.
She is an expert in marketing, branding, communication, and project management across different sectors, especially telecommunications and investment.
June holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Moi University.
She also holds a bachelor’s degree in PR & Communications as well as a postgraduate diploma in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing, which is based in the UK.
June, who is also a member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya, is also in the process of completing a PhD in Information Science.