Three former bank executives have joined the boards of a mortgage lender and an insurance firm, hoping to transfer their experience there.
Former KCB Group CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno has joined the board of directors of Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC as an independent and non-executive director. He is currently the Group Chairman of East African Breweries Limited and also serves as a non-executive director of BAT Kenya PLC, AfricaNenda Foundation, and founder of The Leadership Group Limited, a business management consultancy.
Listed mortgage lender Housing Finance Group has appointed two ex-executives of Equity Bank Group to its board of directors, boosting the banking experience of its apex committee.
HF Group appointed Gerald Warui as a non-executive director who had worked at Equity Bank for more than 25 years, rising to the position of Managing Director of its Kenyan unit before his exit in 2024.
HF had earlier this month appointed Samuel Makome, who has worked in different banks, including Equity Bank, where he served as the managing director of its Tanzanian subsidiary and also as its chief finance officer before moving to KCB Bank. At KCB, he held various positions, including managing the Kenyan unit and serving as finance director.
“The Board of Directors of HFC Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Gerald Gachoka Warui as an additional Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company with effect from 6th February 2026,” said HF Group.
“He brings on board over three decades of experience in a top-tier banking Institution.”
HF Group previously had six directors, of which only one, Anne Kimari, was a banker.
The group is chaired by academician Olive Mugendi, with others on the board, including entrepreneur Peter Munga and insurers Benson Wairegi and Tom Gitogo. Mr Gitogo is the current Chief Executive of Britam Group, the majority shareholder of HF Group.
Mr Wairegi was the CEO of Britam before his retirement, but is also among the top individual shareholders of the mortgage lender.
Felister Kembi, an accountant, also sits on the board.
The two ex-bankers are joining HF at a time when it is experiencing rapid growth after successfully raising additional capital - Sh5.99 billion - through a rights issue in 2024.
The group has been keen on ensuring the growth is sustainable, a goal that requires experienced hands.
“We remain focused on building a strong and resilient Group that delivers sustainable value to stakeholders,” said the group chief executive, Robert Kibaara, when announcing the lender’s financial performance for the nine months ended September 2025.
