Stanbic Bank Kenya Appoints Michael Mutiga as New Chief Executive Officer

Stanbic Bank Kenya has appointed Michael Mutiga as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Mutiga takes over the leadership of the bank from Abraham Ongenge, who had been serving as acting CEO since March 2026. Ongenge assumed the acting role following the appointment of Joshua Oigara as Chief Executive and Director of Stanbic Holdings Plc.

The appointment comes as Stanbic Bank Kenya enters its next phase of growth, with the lender seeking to build on its performance in the first half of 2026 and strengthen its position in the Kenyan financial services market.

Mutiga Brings Extensive Banking and Corporate Experience

Mutiga is a seasoned lawyer and banker with extensive experience spanning banking, corporate finance, strategy and business development.

Prior to joining Stanbic Bank Kenya, he served as Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer at Safaricom PLC, where he played a senior role in shaping the telecommunications company's growth and strategic direction.

Before his tenure at Safaricom, Mutiga served as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Finance for Sub-Saharan Africa at Citibank. He has also held senior leadership positions at Absa, further strengthening his experience across the banking and financial services sector.

Commenting on the appointment, Joe Muganda, Chairman of the Board of Stanbic Bank Kenya, described Mutiga as a highly respected leader with an extensive and successful career in banking and finance in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“His unique experience, combining deep investment banking expertise with strategic leadership in the telecommunications sector, uniquely positions him to steer Stanbic Bank Kenya into the future.”

Muganda said the board is confident that Mutiga will build on the bank's existing momentum while focusing on sustainable growth, improved customer experience and value creation for shareholders.

Focus on Digital Transformation and Customer Growth

In accepting his appointment, Mutiga outlined several priorities for his tenure, including deepening customer relationships, accelerating the bank's digital transformation and strengthening partnerships with key sectors of the Kenyan economy.

He also highlighted the bank's strong foundation and its role in supporting Kenya's broader economic development.

“This is a formidable institution with a rich history in this country and a very strong foundation for future growth. The bank’s recent performance is a testament to the talented team and their commitment to our clients,” Mutiga said.

His appointment brings together experience from both the financial services and telecommunications sectors, at a time when banks are increasingly investing in digital platforms, customer-focused solutions and partnerships across the wider economy.

Ongenge Returns to Personal and Private Banking

Following the appointment of Mutiga, Abraham Ongenge will return to his substantive position as Head of Personal and Private Banking at Stanbic Bank Kenya.

The leadership transition marks the latest development in the senior management of Stanbic's Kenyan operations as the bank continues to position itself for growth and strengthen its customer proposition.

With Mutiga now at the helm, the bank is expected to focus on accelerating digital transformation, expanding customer relationships and leveraging opportunities across key sectors of the Kenyan economy.