KCB Appoints First Group Strategy Head

KCB Group has appointed Mark Mwongera Ngungi as its first-ever Group Director of Strategy and Innovation, signaling a significant shift in how the bank approaches strategic leadership. The newly created role marks a broader top-level executive shake-up within one of East Africa’s largest banking institutions.

Ngungi, whose appointment is subject to regulatory approval, will join the Group Executive Committee and report directly to Group CEO Paul Russo. He brings a wealth of experience from his most recent role at PayPal, where he served as Regional Director for Enterprise Sales and Business Development for the Middle East and Africa, based in Singapore. He also previously served as CEO of the digital payments firm Pesapal.

In a statement, CEO Paul Russo said the leadership changes reflect KCB’s deliberate strategy to build a critical mass of leaders to support its growth ambitions. “We are collectively building a people-driven, customer-focused organization for the future,” he said.

Ngungi’s appointment is part of a wider restructuring effort. Peter Mwaura Kimani, who has been overseeing corporate communications and stakeholder relations, has been confirmed as Head of Corporate and Stakeholder Relations. Kimani is a former employee of Nation Media Group.

Additionally, Judith Sidi Odhiambo has been named Head of Sustainability and will report to Ngungi. She previously served as the head of corporate and regulatory affairs within the same institution.

The creation of a centralized Strategy and Innovation office reflects KCB’s move away from a subsidiary-led approach to strategic planning. The group aims to better align its diverse operations under a unified growth framework, with innovation and sustainability at the core.