Daniel Ngugi, the Head of Legal and Administration at Twiga Foods, has announced his departure from the Kenyan startup after a remarkable 10-year tenure. Ngugi, one of Twiga’s first employees, played a pivotal role in the company’s ascent from its conceptual stage to becoming Kenya’s leading B2B e-commerce platform.
Reflecting on his time at Twiga, Ngugi expressed gratitude, stating that the past decade “shaped my career and molded me into what I am today.” He emphasized the transformative impact the company had on his professional outlook, team-building experience, and personal aspirations. Ngugi, known for his leadership of Twiga’s legal team during a period of rapid growth, also humorously noted an improvement in his golf game during his tenure.
Pointing to Twiga’s substantial influence, Ngugi highlighted how the company had touched countless lives, revolutionized the B2B e-commerce space in Kenya and the broader region, and pushed the boundaries of what is achievable in the industry.
As Ngugi takes a break before his next professional endeavor, he emphasized his focus on introspection, family time, meaningful connections, and further honing his golf skills. Quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald’s *The Great Gatsby*, Ngugi conveyed his forward-looking attitude, stating that, unlike Gatsby, he does not aim to be “borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Ngugi’s departure follows that of Twiga Foods CEO and Co-Founder, Peter Njonjo, who bid farewell to the company last week. Njonjo, who guided Twiga Foods to prominence since its founding in 2013, resigned as CEO and stepped down from the board after a six-month sabbatical leave. In his resignation letter, Njonjo expressed the belief that a leadership transition was necessary, noting the significant achievements made during his tenure.
The operational reins of Twiga Foods have now transitioned to foreign shareholders, Creadev and Juven, who invested USD 35 million (5.5 billion) to assist the company in settling debts with vendors. Njonjo, who had invested $1 million in the recent funding round led by Juven and Creadev, remains committed to Twiga’s success and expressed his confidence in the current board and management team.
As Twiga undergoes a leadership shift, both Ngugi and Njonjo leave behind legacies of substantial contributions to the company’s growth and success. The Kenyan startup now faces the challenge of filling these key positions and continuing its trajectory in the competitive B2B e-commerce landscape.
