Business & Money
Equity Group Announces Retirement of Mary Wamae After 20 Years
Mary Wangari Wamae’s retirement signals the close of a significant chapter for Equity Group Holdings Plc. Over the past 20 years, her contributions have been instrumental, providing both legal and strategic leadership while driving the group’s expansion across several countries.
: Mary Wangari Wamae Retires from Equity Group Holdings Plc After Two Decades of Influential Leadership, Leaving a Legacy of Strategic Growth and Inspiring Future Leaders
By Charles Wachira
On June 28, 2024, Equity Group Holdings Plcl bid farewell to one of its most dedicated and influential executives, Mary Wangari Wamae, marking the end of her 20-year tenure. Born on July 7, 1968, in Nyeri County, Mary Wamae’s journey to the top echelons of the banking sector is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and leadership.
Early Life and Education
Mary Wangari Wamae was born and raised in a rural setting in present-day Nyeri County. Her upbringing in a modest household, under the care of her single mother, Cornelia Wanjiru, who relied on peasant agriculture, instilled in her the values of determination and perseverance. Despite the financial hardships, Mary pursued her education with zeal.
She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, leading to her admission to the Kenya Bar in 1991. Her academic journey didn’t stop there; she obtained a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies from the University of Nairobi and a master’s degree in Leadership Innovation and Change from York St John University in Nottingham, UK.
Legal Career and Joining Equity Group
Mary’s legal career began with the founding of Mary Wangari & Company Advocates, where she practised law for 13 years. Her expertise and reputation in the legal field paved the way for her entry into the financial sector. In 2004, she joined Equity Building Society, which later became Equity Bank, as the Head of Legal Services. Her role quickly expanded to include Company Secretary duties, showcasing her capability and earning her the trust of the organisation’s leadership.
Rise Through the Ranks at Equity Group
Throughout her tenure at Equity Group, Mary held various key positions, each with increasing responsibility. Her last position before retirement was Group Director of Strategy, Legal Services, and Group Company Secretary. In this role, she was instrumental in shaping the group’s strategic direction and overseeing its legal affairs. She also managed the group’s subsidiaries in DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Personal Life and Legacy
Both joy and challenges marked Mary Wangari Wamae’s personal life. She married Patrick Wamae in 1992, and their union was solemnised in a church ceremony in 2005. The couple’s marriage ended in 2018 after 25 years, following a two-year separation. Despite personal trials, Mary’s professional life remained a beacon of success and influence.
Her mother, Cornelia Wanjiru, passed away in June 2017 after battling diabetes and hypertension, a loss that deeply affected Mary. Yet, she continued serving Equity Group with unwavering commitment until retirement.
Conclusion
Mary Wangari Wamae’s retirement marks the end of an era for Equity Group Holdings Plc. Her contributions over the past two decades have been invaluable, not only in terms of legal and strategic oversight but also in fostering the group’s growth across multiple countries. As she steps down, her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future leaders within the organisation.
Equity Group will now face the challenge of filling the void left by such a seasoned and dedicated professional. However, her foundation will continue to support the group’s vision and operations for years to come.
Keywords:Mary Wangari Wamae:Equity Group Holdings:Retirement:Leadership Legacy:Legal and Strategic Oversight
: KCB Group reports Sh44.5B ( US$ 342.31) nine-month profit, outpacing
Equity Bank. Learn about its 49% growth, challenges, and stock performance this
year.
KCB Group Plc has outperformed Equity Bank to cement its position as Kenya’s leading
lender, posting a net profit of Sh44.5 billion for the nine months ending September
This represents a 49% year-on-year growth, surpassing Equity Bank’s Sh37.5
billion profit during the same period.
Profit Growth Driven by Core Business Performance
The remarkable profit growth was fueled by higher earnings from both interest and non-
interest income streams. KCB’s diverse revenue base has been pivotal in maintaining
its dominance in the competitive banking sector.
Non-Performing Loans a Key Concern
Despite the impressive profit growth, KCB’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to
18.5%, compared to 16.5% last year. This increase highlights persistent challenges in
managing credit risk, with Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Kimathi acknowledging it as
a “pain point” for the bank.
KCB Stock Outshines Peers on NSE
KCB’s strong financial performance has translated into exceptional stock market results.
The bank’s stock has risen 78.8% year-to-date, making it the best-performing banking
stock on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
Plans to Sell National Bank of Kenya
Earlier this year, KCB announced plans to sell its struggling subsidiary, National Bank of
Kenya (NBK), to Nigeria’s Access Bank. While Nigerian regulators have approved the
deal, it is still awaiting clearance from Kenya’s Central Bank. The sale aims to
streamline KCB’s operations and address losses at NBK.
CEO Paul Russo Optimistic About Year-End Performance
“The journey has not been without its hurdles, but our ability to walk alongside our
customers has driven our success,” said KCB CEO Paul Russo. He expressed
confidence in closing the year on a high note, leveraging improving economic conditions
across the region.
Key Figures at a Glance
● Net Profit: Sh44.5 billion (+49%)
● Non-Performing Loan Ratio: 18.5% (up from 16.5%)
● Stock Performance: +78.8% year-to-date
KCB’s strong performance underscores its resilience in navigating challenges and its
commitment to sustaining growth in Kenya’s banking sector.
Business & Money
Top 10 Kenyan banks by total assets as of 2023, based on data from the Central Bank of Kenya:
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.425 trillion
Market Share: 17.4%
Equity Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.004 trillion
Market Share: 12.2%
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 661.7 billion
Market Share: 9.2%
Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 624.3 billion
Market Share: 8.8%
Absa Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 520.3 billion
Market Share: 6.6%
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 429.3 billion
Market Share: 5.9%
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 449.6 billion
Market Share: 5.8%
I&M Bank Limited
Total Assets: KSh 405.6 billion
Market Share: 5.4%
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 399.6 billion
Market Share: 5.3%
Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited
Total Assets: KSh 201.9 billion
Market Share: 2.8%
These rankings illustrate the dominance of large Tier 1 banks, which collectively control over
76% of the market share. Strategic expansions, increased deposit mobilisation, and robust
lending practices underpin the sector’s strong performance
: Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of industrialist Pankaj Oswal, faces serious
charges in Uganda. The Oswals call for UN intervention amid claims of corporate
jealousy.
Vasundhara Oswal, the 26-year-old daughter of prominent Swiss-Indian industrialist
Pankaj Oswal, has found herself at the centre of a legal storm in Uganda.
Her father, a well-established business figure, is known for his diverse investments,
most notably a $150 million ethanol plant in Uganda.
This plant, the largest of its kind in East Africa, is a key part of Oswal’s broader strategy
to invest in industrial and eco-friendly solutions in the region. The facility produces extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), which is used in the beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
It is recognised for its modern technology and sustainable practices, such as zero liquid
discharge, emphasising the Oswal family’s commitment to both industrial growth and
environmental responsibility.
In addition to the ethanol plant, Pankaj Oswal has made strategic investments across
various industries, including petrochemicals, agriculture, and real estate.
His ventures reflect a global reach, extending to Australia and India, where he has
been involved in industries ranging from agriculture to renewable energy.
His diversified business approach and commitment to sustainability have made him a prominent figure in international business. However, in October 2024, the family’s legacy was overshadowed by the legal troubles surrounding Vasundhara Oswal.
She was detained on October 1, 2024, after being accused of involvement in the
alleged murder of Mukesh Menaria, a former employee who had worked with the
Oswals since 2017.
Menaria had accused the family of harassment but later testified under oath that they
had not harmed him Despite this, charges of kidnapping and murder were brought against Vasundhara.
Her family has strongly denied these allegations, claiming that the charges are
politically motivated and part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by their business rivals
in collaboration with corrupt officials in Uganda.
The Oswals have appealed to the United Nations, seeking intervention and asserting
that the legal proceedings against Vasundhara are unlawful. Vasundhara has actively managed the family business throughout her career, especially the ethanol plant, and led the company’s sustainable initiatives.
Beyond her business involvement, she has also been an advocate for community
welfare and mental health, further cementing the Oswal family’s reputation for corporate
social responsibility.
The unfolding legal drama has raised important questions about the intersection of
business, politics, and the legal systems in Uganda.
While the Oswal family’s ventures reflect a blend of industrial innovation and social
responsibility, the legal challenges Vasundhara faces have cast a shadow over their
business empire, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in East Africa.
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