John Mwendwa is a prominent Kenyan professional with extensive experience in various sectors.
He will serve as the CEO of the Kenya Investment Authority effective January 2025, having been appointed on December 18, 20244.
Mwendwa has over 20 years in public sector leadership, banking, and manufacturing.
He also holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Strathmore University and has significant expertise in human resource leadership and sustainability.
Education
Mwendwa holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Strathmore University and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Finance) from Kenyatta University.
Additionally, he has completed executive leadership programs at the University of Oxford (UK) and Harvard University (USA).
Mwendwa is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI, UK) and the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).
Early career
Mwendwa has held roles across various government ministries, including Investments, Trade and Industry, the East African Community, Industrialization, and Enterprise Development.
His career also includes senior leadership positions at Barclays Group in Kenya and South Africa. Most recently, he worked in the President’s Strategy and Execution Office.
Mwendwa is a distinguished professional with extensive qualifications.
Later career
In December 2024, Mwendwa was appointed as the CEO of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest).
In this role, he will be responsible for promoting and facilitating investments across various sectors in Kenya.
Mwendwa will work closely with government agencies, private sector players, and international organizations to create a conducive environment for investment.
Notably, his contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; he has received accolades such as the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW).
KenInvest
The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) is a statutory body established in 2004 under the Investment Promotion Act No. 6 of 2004.
Its primary objective is to promote and facilitate both domestic and foreign investments in Kenya.
KenInvest plays a crucial role in implementing new investment projects, providing aftercare services for existing investments, and organizing investment promotion activities locally and internationally.
KenInvest’s core functions include investment promotion, where it provides information on investment opportunities and the business climate, as well as facilitating the expeditious implementation of projects by assisting investors in obtaining necessary licenses, permits, and incentives.
The authority also engages in policy advocacy to improve the overall investment environment in Kenya.
Additionally, KenInvest offers aftercare services to ensure smooth project implementation by regularly following up with investors to address any concerns.
It also coordinates the development of special economic zones and export processing zones, driving legislative reforms to enhance the ease of doing business in the country.
