Young CEO who’s softened by fatherhood

But the energy sector where he now finds himself is a departure from what he cut his teeth in; finance.

At only 34, Momanyi’s age naturally elicits a conversation. We meet in the boardroom of their offices in Upper Hill, Nairobi, where he talks about energy, leadership, and his eight-month-old son.

----------------------------------------

Do you have employees who are older than you and how do you handle their wanting to pull your ears when you start playing the boss card?

I have older people than me in the company and, yes, managing people is quite challenging.

But I have noticed that the older ones are easier to manage than the younger guys.

While the older guys understand and respect the office, the younger ones question it because of my age.

They feel that perhaps I didn’t do time to earn the position.

Has your age worked against you, professionally?

No, never. I guess in part because I look older than I am (grins).

Your profile says that one of your likes is wildlife. I laughed when I read that. Really? Wildlife, like giraffes and hippos?

(Chuckles) Yes, why not? But I also love sports, contact sports to be precise. We are talking rugby, basketball, swimming and what not.

So what kind of wild animal do you think you are?

I would be a hybrid. That is between a lion and a cheetah.

That’s a disturbing hybrid.

(Laughs) Yes, my personality is a cross between those two animals. I’m the kind of person who wants things done here and now. I like my things done yesterday. I’m very unapologetic about going for what I want.

Your son is pivotal in your life now, right?

Yes. Oh yes. Fatherhood changes you and kids make you appreciate your parents more; when you get your own, you appreciate all they did for you because raising a child is so demanding, they ask so much from you.

What’s your weakness as a father?

Fatherhood has softened me up quite a bit. Most people think I’m strict, but I’m not.

I suspect that when I get a daughter, all my softness will be dragged out of me. I will definitely be a much softer person than I am.

Do you have an extravagance?

Yes, toys, I love toys. I spend quite a chunk of money on electronics as well. I also spend a lot on my wife (laughs). No, let’s leave that off the record, please.

Oh, come on, the doghouse was built for fearless men, so come on, let’s have it on the record.

(Laughs) No, it sounds bad.

It doesn’t!

Okay, but for the record, I meant that I like spending on my dear wife, who is an amazing lady.

Oh, now I need a drink. Do you drink?

(Laughs) Well, yes. I drink single malt whisky. A man has to aspire to something loftier.

Talking of aspiration, what do you drive?

Prado 120 TZ series. It’s a comfortable car. Great room too. My wife and I love to do road trips. Recently, we drove to the Mara, sometimes we will just nip in and out of Naivasha.

What’s your sin Momanyi? Every man has one; women, booze, shoplifting… what’s yours?

(Laughs) Uhm… (thinks). I think my sin is that I always want more. I want a better car, a better house, a better suit… better, better, better.

Do you want a better wife?

(Laughter in the room) Oh no. The one I have is just fine.

No, really. You can admit you do, nobody will judge you harshly.

(Laughs) I don’t want a better wife. But seriously, my wife and I have been married two years now and things are as good as they always were. I want to laugh more…with my wife. I want to spend more time with her. More. More. More. (Laughs)

Who is your greatest inspiration?

My mother. She is a phenomenal woman who taught me many things. She believed in me and I have always derived the strength to do the impossible, fuelled by her belief in me.

You are obviously very ambitious and focused. But I’d love to see how you will be when mid-life crisis comes knocking.

(Grins) I have always been very contained. I’m a moderate; I was in my 20’s and I’m certainly in my 30’s. The trick is for me to be careful not to have any skeletons in my closet when I’m in my 50’s. (Laughs)