Council Members

FFA Leah is the Chaiperson of ICIFA with effect from 23 June 2023.

She is currently the Director, Corporate Finance at Dyer and Blair Investment Bank since 2014, having worked with the firm for 19 years. Previously, she headed the Research Department. She has had the privilege to be Lead Consultant in Investments, Corporate Finance, Transaction Advisory, Government Privatizations, Equity and Debt Funding, Mergers, Acquisitions and Capital Markets Transactions in Kenya and the East Africa region. She is also serving as a Board Member, Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) since September 2021.

At ICIFA, she currently serves as the Chairperson of ICIFA College since 2020, and is the immediate former Vice Chairperson of ICIFA Council, which she left after serving two terms as a Council member during the period 2016 - 2022.

She has been a member of the Registration Committee since 2022 and previously served as a member of the Finance & Strategy Committee during the period 2021 - 2022. She also served as Chair of the Membership Services Committee during the period 2020 - 2021 after serving as Vice Chair of the Committee during the period 2019 - 2020, and a member since 2018. She served as a member of the Professional Standards Committee during the period 2016 - 2018. She has been instrumental as an Organizer, Speaker, Panelist and Moderator in various conferences held by ICIFA since 2016.

FA Catherine is the Vice Chairperson with effect from 30 June 2022. She is an Executive leader with over 14 years of leadership in financial services. She is the current Director, Strategy, and Investor Relations at Britam Holdings Plc a position she has held since December 2021. Prior to this appointment, she held various roles at NCBA Investment Bank, as the Executive Director in Charge of Brokerage, at SBG Securities as Head of Institutional Clients Sales and Trading, and at Bank of America.

FA Catherine’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, an MBA from the University of Baltimore, and a B.Sc. Information Systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

She is passionate about educating the youth on investing and financial planning as well as driving a high-performance culture within the organizations for which she has worked, simplifying processes and providing financial solutions to address various client needs.

She is a thought leader in the industry and was recognized by the Business Daily as a top 40 under 40 women in Kenya in 2014 for her contributions within the Capital Markets and Financial Services Space.

FA Catherine is the current Chairperson for the Membership Services Committee.

FA Judith Nyakawa has been a council Member with effect from 26th June 2020. She is a Public Financial Management expert with more than 20 years’ experience in the Public Sector. An alumnus of the University of Nairobi, Daystar University and the USIU- Africa. She is currently the Director (Ag) at the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Unit at the National Treasury and Planning. She sits in other boards in the Education Sector. She has served in various capacities in the PFM function of Government, and most recently managed the finance function of various ministries.

She is a Certified Public Accountant and is currently a member of the Governance and Audit, Risk and Compliance Committees of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA).

Samuel Kamunyu Njoroge is the Senior Manager, Education, Awareness & Certification at the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Kenya. He holds an MA (Econs) degree and BA (Econs), First Class honours, degree, both from University of Nairobi. He is an alumnus of the Fletcher School Leadership Program for Financial Inclusion, Tufts University (USA), and a Certified Knowledge Manager (KM Institute, USA)

He has served the financial sector at management level for close to 20 years in: Education, Awareness & Certification, Special Projects, Corporate Communications and Market Development at the CMA, as an Economist at the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), as a Research Analyst at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), and as a Research Associate at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR).

Among other achievements, Mr. Njoroge was instrumental in the establishment of both the capital markets industry certification programme in Kenya and the Growth Enterprise Market Segment at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. He has also been involved in the evaluation and approval of capital markets products and services from issuers and intermediaries as a senior member of the CMA Compliance and Facilitation Committee. Further, in 2002, Kamunyu was one of the 50 young Kenyans who developed a vision for the country's youth under the auspices of Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) dubbed “The promise of our generation: a proposal for a national vision from Kenya's young people: Institute of Economic Affairs, 2003”

Samuel has been involved in various national and regional policy advocacy initiatives over the years, some of which include: the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on the negotiation of the East African Community Common Market Protocol, membership to the Technical Committee of the Joint Financial Sector Regulators Forum in Kenya and as Kenya’s coordinator to the Technical Committees of the East African Securities Regulatory Authorities (EASRA).

Kamunyu is a fellow of the Economic Society of Kenya (ESK), a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (ICIFA), a member of the Kenya Institute of Management (MKIM), a member of Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (MCSI, UK), a member of Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), and member of the Institute of Directors, Kenya (M.IoD(K).

PROF. NICHOLAS K. LETTING’, Ph.D., EBS, currently the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (kasneb) and the immediate past Vice – Chancellor/Chief Executive Officer of the Management University of Africa (MUA) has over ten (10) years in strategic leadership as CEO and Chairman in various organizations. He has provided top notch administrative, financial, strategic leadership, coaching and mentorship services to the organizations he has served in. He is a Fellow of four (4) premier professional bodies. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at KCA University, Kenya where he was appointed in July 2023. He has attended several leadership courses including The Effective Director training at Strathmore University Business School (SBS) and the Strategic Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) at the Kenya School of Government.

Prof. Letting’ holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration (Strategic Management), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Commerce (B. Coms Hons) (Marketing option) degrees from the University of Nairobi. He also holds Final Certificates from kasneb in the following Professional Qualifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Public Secretary (CPS) and Certified Investments and Financial Analyst (CIFA).

Prof. Letting’ has over twenty-five (25) years' experience in industry and academia in private, public and not-for-profit organizations. He has supervised several doctoral and masters’ degree students successfully and has been external examiner in leading Universities. He has worked with kasneb, MUA, Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and BAT Kenya. Prof. Letting is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS), a Fellow the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), a Fellow of KIM and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Investments and Financial Analysts (ICIFA) and a member in good standing at The Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM). He is a thought leader and facilitates in governance and leadership seminars/workshops.

He is also a member of Council/Board in ICPAK, ICS, ICIFA and PSASB and chairs various Committees. In May 2023 he was elected Chairman of the Association of Professional Societies of East Africa (APSEA) where he previously served as Honorary Treasurer for four (4) years. He represents APSEA on the Board of Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB). He is a volunteer in many societal development and humanitarian organizations such as the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) where he is currently Honorary Treasurer in Lower Eastern Region (LER). In 2020 Prof. Letting’ was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) having received the Head of State of Commendation (HSC) in 2012. Prof. Letting’ was Chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) from 2014 to 2016. Between 2020 and 2023, he was a member of two Multi – Agency Taskforces (MAT) appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, The National Treasury and Economic Planning that reviewed The Accountants’ Act and the Certified Public Secretaries’ Act and participated in the drafting of Accountants Act Regulations, 2022. He was a Council Member of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) during the formulation of the Competency Based Curriculum for the Basic Education in Kenya. He was a member of the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovations (NACOSTI).

FA Geoffrey Odundo who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nairobi Securities Exchange Limited has been a Council Member since 2nd July 2019. He is an accomplished investment banker and has been in the financial service sector for over 25 years, 20 of which has been in the Capital Markets in various senior roles in asset management, corporate finance and securities trading. He was previously the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kingdom Securities Limited. He was instrumental in setting up Co-op Trust Investment Service, Co-op Consultancy Services Limited and Kingdom Securities Limited. He has contributed to the growth of Capital Market in his previous role at the Kenya Association of Stockbrokers and Investment Banks among others.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management from United States International University (USIU) and an Undergraduate Degree in Mathematics and Economics from Egerton University. He is a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (ICIFA).

FA Elizabeth is a Council Member of ICIFA elected on 23 June 2023.

She currently serves as a member of the Investment Performance and ESG Reporting Standards Taskforce and has participated in ICIFA CPD programmes and conferences as a Speaker and Mentor to CIFA graduates.

She is a trained Economist and seasoned fund manager with over 17 years’ investment management and leadership experience. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Absa Asset Management Limited, a leading fund manager owned by Absa Bank Plc. Prior to joining Absa, she was the General Manager, Business Development and Client Relations at ICEA LION Asset Management Limited until August 2022. Prior to this, she worked at Britam Asset Managers and STANLIB Kenya as the Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager respectively handling portfolios of more than USD 1 billion. She started as an Economist in the Office of the President before transitioning to an Analyst with African Alliance Investment Bank. She is also a Board Committee member of the CFA Institute, Disciplinary Review Committee.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi and is a CFA© Charter holder from CFA Institute. She is passionate about financial markets, Economics, investments, TechWealth, and enjoys writing articles and training in these areas.

She believes she brings gender diversity, skills in industry, professional conduct, professional papers credentialing, industry best practices as well as training skills.

FA Anthony is a Council Member of ICIFA reelected on 23 June 2023.

He currently serves as the Chair of Regulations, Standards and Research Committee. During his tenure, the Committee has developed training manuals and curricula, and promoted research in the subject of investments and financial related matters, publication of books, periodicals, journals and articles, as per the IFA Act.

FA Anthony Mwithiga is an investment management professional with over 20 years’ experience in managing investment portfolios of pension schemes, insurance companies, unit trust funds, sovereign wealth funds and High Networth Individuals across East Africa. He joined the Council on 26 June 2020. He is the Chief Executive Officer at Old Mutual Investment Group and most recently as the CEO, Absa Asset Management Limited. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer at CBA, General Manager - Investments at UAP-Old Mutual, and Chief Investment Officer at Stanlib.

He is also a Non-Executive Director of Invest-In-Africa and an Investment Training Consultant for the East and Central Africa Association of Social Security Associations (ECASSA). He is also a Council Member of the Fund Managers Association (FMA) and Chairman of FMA’s Public Markets Committee.

FA Purity joined as a Council Member on 24 June 2022. She has previously served in the Education and Research Committee. During the tenure, the Committee has developed training manuals and curricula, and promoted research in the subject of investments and financial related matters, publication of books, periodicals, journals and articles, as per the IFA Act.

She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in economics and presently pursuing a PhD in economics from the University of Nairobi.

She has over 10 years' of experience and a wide wealth of experience in banking, policy analysis, training research and consultancy. Currently, she works with Kenya School of Government as a trainer, researcher and consultant. She has undertaken high profile research and consultancies in performance management in human resource development, corporate governance, organizational development and surveys. She teaches and coordinates various programs: corporate governance and induction course for public sector boards; senior management; finance for non-finance and strategic leadership and development program.

She has worked with Kenya Institute for Public Policy and Research Analysis, ABC Bank, KCB Bank, Faulu Microfinance Bank and Uwezo Micro-finance.

FA David joined as a Council Member on 24 June 2022. He is a dedicated, diligent and hardworking Financial Services professional. He has over 18 years of Capital Markets experience having worked at the Capital Markets Authority transitioning to the Telecommunications Sector to join Safaricom PLC in 2021. Currently, he is the Senior Manager, Digital Financial Services at Safaricom PLC, where he is responsible for developing digital financial services with the goal of fostering a saving culture, empowering Kenyans, and improving their financial health through M-PESA. Previously, he held various positions in the capital markets environment, including Head of Market Deepening, Market Surveillance in Derivatives and Cash Market at both the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

As a Champion at the Capital Markets Authority, he was instrumental in shaping and implementing the Capital Markets Master Plan and setting up Market Deepening departments and promoting regional integration within the EAC.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of Nairobi. He is also a member of the Kenya Institute of Management. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Finance and Investment at Leicester University.

His passion is to develop the next generation of financial services professionals by ensuring that the link between theory and practice is well articulated through relevant curriculum and to drive Fintech acceptance as a lifestyle.

Away from his busy schedule, he enjoys golfing and reading blogs about Fintech and current events, both local and global.

FA Patricia joined as a Council Member on 25th June 2021. She is the Managing Director and Founder of Revenu Stream Limited. Revenu Stream was set up in 2017 and is focused on behavior finance, for individuals and corporations. The firm’s objective is to provide practical, accessible financial advisory services to its clients.

Previously, FA Patricia worked as the Group Managing Director, Asset Management and Property for UAP Old Mutual Group.
Prior to this, FA Patricia worked with Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited (formerly AIG/Pinebridge Investments) as Head of Africa Business Development and Vice President, Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Limited (now Zamara) as an Actuarial Consultant and for the Local Authorities Provident Fund.

FA Patricia joined the Banki Kuu Staff Pension Scheme (2012), as an independent trustee in November 2020. She has diverse board experience and currently sits as a Council Member of the United States International University – Africa, Executive Committee Member of Priory of St. John Ambulance, Chairperson of the Nairobi Stock Exchange Derivatives Committee and Board Member of NSE Clear and Trustee of the Settlement Guarantee Fund and Investor Protection Fund. Prior to this, she was a Director of K-Rep Bank (now Sidian Bank) and Chairperson of Association of Retirement Benefits Schemes.

FA Patricia is also a CFA(R) Charter holder, Member of CFA Institute, USA and has undertaken several management courses incl. with Insead Business School. She holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree (Finance) and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree (Mathematics/Statistics) and is pursuing a 2nd Masters in Arts (Counselling Psychology). She is a Certified Trainer and Trustee, Trustee Development Programme, College of Insurance/Humber University, Certified Trainer of Trainers Kenya Institute of Education.

FA Diana Muriuki joined ICIFA as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council on 1st November 2018. She has over 13 years experience in the financial services industry having worked at Actuarial Services (EA) Limited. She previously served as a Senior Manager, Investments at Actuarial Services (EA) Limited where she excelled in previous Investment Specialist/Consultant and Analyst assignments. During her tenure at Actuarial Services (EA) Limited she was instrumental in establishing processes and business relationships that enhanced business development. She has also served as Investment Officer and Head of Member Services at Arima Fund Limited. She has a deep understanding and knowledge of the investment industry having provided investment advisory services to numerous pension schemes in Kenya.

She is a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA) and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) and holds a Master of Science in Finance and Bachelors in Economics and Statistics both from University of Nairobi and a Graduate diploma in Actuarial Science.