Peter Kenneth: Banking career, politics, wife and businesses

Born on November 27, 1965, Peter Kenneth is a Kenyan politician and businessman who hails from Kirwara, Gatanga in Murang’a County.

Having served in several leadership posts, in both public and private sectors, the leader has remained relevant over the years despite not holding an elected post.

Education

Kenneth attended Bahati Uhuru Primary School for his CPE where his good grades earned him a spot at the prestigious Starehe Boys’ Center.

Following the completion of his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels, he joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Law.

Kenneth then proceeded to Switzerland to participate in an executive program at the International Institute for Management Development.

He also did a number of banking and insurance courses.

Career

After completing his banking and insurance courses, Kenneth joined the job market and landed a job at Nationwide Finance Company where he worked from 1985 to 1986.

He then moved to Prudence Finance and Bank where he worked between 1986 and 1997. During his stint at the finance institution, Kenneth grew to become a manager.

In 1997, he moved to Kenya Reinsurance Company as the Managing Director, a position he held until 2002.

He also served as the Director of Africa Reinsurance Corporation from 1998 to 2001 and Industrial Development Bank between 1998 and 2002.

He later served as Chairman of Zep Insurance Company from 1998 to 2009.

He also has a lot of interest in sports, having been the chairman of Kenya Football Federation from 1996 to 2000, and FIFA Committee Member (FUTSAL) from 1998 to 2000.

Political career

Kenneth ventured into politics in 2002 and successfully vied for the Gatanga Parliamentary seat on a National Rainbow Coalition (NRC) ticket.

He served in this position for two terms, until the year 2013. In fact, between 2003 and 2005, Kenneth was appointed to the cabinet and served as the Assistant Minister of Finance.

He was later moved to the Ministry of Cooperative Development where he served as an Assistant Minister between 2005 and 2007.

A year later, in 2008, Kenneth was appointed Assistant Minister for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, a position he held until 2012.

In 2012, he contested for Presidency on a Kenya National Congress ticket and emerged fourth overall in the March 2013 elections.

He was the first Kenyan presidential candidate with no African name.

As the August 9 general election nears, Kenneth is among the frontrunners for the running mate slot in Azimio-One Kenya Coalition party whose flagbearer is ODM leader Raila Odinga.

In February 2022, the leader said he was ready to work with Raila should he be appointed as his running mate in the forthcoming elections.

Kenneth said though the running mate position is not elective, the people of Murang’a would celebrate if the position was given to the county.

“The person vying is the one who decides who they want to vie with but many have said the position should come to Central and Murang’a in particular,” he said.

Peter Kenneth family

Kenneth was raised by a single mother, Rahab Wambui Muhuni who passed away on July 18, 2019, at the Agha Khan Hospital where she was receiving treatment.

He also has a wife, Anne Kenneth and together they have two children namely; Andrew Kenneth and the beautiful Andrea Kenneth.

Not much is known about Kenneth’s siblings.

Peter Kenneth businesses

Kenneth is a key shareholder in Mayfair Insurance Company and he is among Mayfair Bank’s 25 shareholders.

In April 2020, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) approved a buyout of a controlling 51% stake in Mayfair Bank Limited. 

In the deal, the Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) injected approximately Ksh3.5 billion by way of share capital.

Kenneth made a fortune in the deal.

Peter Kenneth and Bob Collymore

Kenneth was best of friends with departed Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore and alongside other friends, they had formed a boys club.

The group also includes Citizen TV anchor Jeff Koinange, Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo, Scangroup CEO Bharat Thakrar and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) CEO Joshua Oigara.

Following Bob’s demise, Bharat was appointed their new leader.