Meet Six Kenyans Holding Senior Positions At Google, Microsoft, Meta And IBM
In this story
- Jack Ngare — Technical Director, Google Cloud
- Catherine Muraga — Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre
- Kendi Ntwiga — Global Head of Integrity and Support Enablement, Meta
- Dr Charity Wayua — Director, IBM Research Africa
- Charles Murito — Regional Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google
- Angela Nganga — Country Lead for East Africa, Microsoft
Kenya’s reputation for resilience, determination and sheer tenacity is well documented.
It is therefore a mildly surprising fact that some of the country’s sons and daughters hold senior positions at some of the world’s largest technology companies.
In this article, WoK takes a look at six Kenyan executives holding Senior Positions at Google, Microsoft, Meta and IBM
Jack Ngare — Technical Director, Google Cloud
Jack Ngare is a technical director at Google Cloud’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
His role entails helping organisations modernise their computer systems and make better use of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Ngare joined Google in 2022. Previously, he was working as the managing director of Microsoft’s Africa Development Centre in Kenya.
Before Microsoft, he led Finserve Africa, Equity Group’s financial technology business.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s in advanced computer science from the University of Leicester, alongside a master’s in management from Harvard University.
Catherine Muraga — Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre
Catherine Muraga leads Microsoft’s Africa Development Centre in Nairobi. She took over from Jack Ngare, who moved to Google in June 2022.
Before joining Microsoft, Muraga headed the engineering department at Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan.
Additionally, she has previously served as director of IT and operations at Sidian Bank.
Muraga holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Africa Nazarene University.
She also completed the Oxford University Fintech Programme and Columbia Business School’s Digital Strategies for Business programme.
Kendi Ntwiga — Global Head of Integrity and Support Enablement, Meta
Kendi Ntwiga is the global head of Integrity and Support Enablement at Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Before Meta, she was Microsoft’s country leader for Kenya. She also held other positions at Check Point Software Technologies, Oracle and HP.
Ntwiga studied international business management at Africa Nazarene University.
She holds a master’s in strategy and finance, and is an alumna of Babson College in the United States.
Dr Charity Wayua — Director, IBM Research Africa
Dr Charity Wayua is the director of IBM Research Africa, which has offices in Kenya and South Africa.
Wayua trained as a chemist.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University and a PhD in chemistry from Purdue University in the United States.
Before becoming director, she led IBM Research Africa’s public-sector team.
She and her colleagues advised the Kenyan government on reforms intended to make the business environment easier for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Charles Murito — Regional Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google
Charles Njenga Murito oversees Google’s government affairs and public policy work in sub-Saharan Africa.
Previously, he served as Google’s country director for Kenya.
Additionally, he has held senior roles at Wananchi Group, Turner Broadcasting and Warner Bros.
Njenga holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Management from Woodbury University in California
He also holds an MBA in Entertainment Business and Finance from Cass Business School in London.
Angela Nganga — Country Lead for East Africa, Microsoft
Angela Nganga leads Microsoft’s business engagement across Kenya and the wider East African region.
She joined Microsoft in 2012 and has previously served as the company’s regional director of customer success for East and West Africa.
Before Microsoft, she worked at Telkom Kenya and AAR. ITWeb Africa
Nganga holds a bachelor’s degree from Panjab University, with studies in sociology, political science, literature and French.
She also holds a postgraduate diploma in public relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
