The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) has appointed John Mwendwa (OGW) as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2025, signaling a new phase for Kenya’s investment landscape. The announcement was made by the KenInvest Board of Directors on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Mr. Mwendwa, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience across both the public and private sectors, is expected to drive Kenya’s investment agenda and further position the country as a leading global investment hub.
In her remarks, KenInvest Board Chairperson Sally Mahihu expressed full confidence in Mr. Mwendwa’s capabilities: “We are delighted to appoint John Mwendwa as the new CEO of KenInvest. His extensive experience and deep understanding of Kenya’s investment and business climate will be invaluable in advancing KenInvest’s mission to attract and support both domestic and foreign investments.”
Mr. Mwendwa is widely credited for spearheading Kenya’s Ease of Doing Business reforms, which saw the country improve its global ranking from 136th in 2013 to 56th in 2019. Over the past nine years, he has facilitated transactions worth nearly $1.5 billion within 18 months and worked across critical government ministries, including Trade & Industry and Enterprise Development.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Mwendwa stated, “I am honored to be appointed to this role and am committed to leveraging my experience in the public and private sectors to drive investment growth and contribute to Kenya’s ongoing economic transformation.”
Mr. Mwendwa’s academic qualifications include a Master’s in Finance from Strathmore University and a Bachelor’s in Commerce (Finance) from Kenyatta University. He also holds leadership training credentials from the University of Oxford (UK) and Harvard University (USA).
KenInvest, established in 2004, plays a key role in promoting investment opportunities in Kenya, facilitating new projects, and supporting aftercare services for existing investments.
