L&D Excellence Spotlight: Kenya's Best

L&D Excellence Spotlight is our flagship digital publication, highlighting the top 15 L&D professionals in every African country.

Recognizing Kenya's Best

Ekra Mwangi
Senior Manager Learning & Talent Management, Gulf African Bank

Ekra Mwangi is a highly accomplished HR leader with over 16 years of experience in driving transformative talent management and learning strategies across the banking and non-profit sectors. As Senior Manager of Learning & Talent Management at Gulf African Bank, Ekra is at the forefront of designing and executing cutting-edge training programs, and ensuring the continuous growth and success of the organisation through strategic HR initiatives. Her expertise spans Learning & Development, Succession Planning, Employee Relations, and Diversity and Inclusion. Ekra has been a key driver in shaping organisational culture and improving performance metrics across various business units, ensuring that talent is developed, engaged, and positioned for future leadership.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Sharon Odipo
Learning and Development Manager, Safricom Plc

Sharon Odipo is a dynamic Talent, Learning & Development leader, shaping the future of work through innovative talent strategies and high-impact learning ecosystems. As the Talent Development and Learning Strategy Manager at Safaricom PLC, she drives leadership development, performance management, and workforce transformation to build agile, future-ready teams. With a track record of designing and implementing cutting-edge L&D programmes, Sharon has led organisation-wide upskilling initiatives, succession planning frameworks, and digital learning transformations that empower employees to thrive. Her expertise spans leadership development, performance optimisation, and leveraging technology to enhance workforce agility. Passionate about unlocking human potential, Sharon is at the forefront of talent innovation, creating learning experiences that drive business success and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

L&D Excellence Spotlight
Catherine Gitamo
General Manager Learning and Development, Equity Bank Limited

Catherine Gitamo is a visionary Learning & Development leader dedicated to transforming businesses through strategic talent development and leadership acceleration. As General Manager, Learning & Development at Equity Bank, she crafts innovative learning solutions that drive performance, strengthen leadership pipelines, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. With a wealth of experience in leadership development, digital learning, and change management, Catherine has a track record of designing impactful, future-ready talent strategies. Passionate about unlocking human potential, she ensures organisations stay agile, competitive, and primed for sustained success.

L&D Excellence Spotlight
Hilda Amahundu
Country Head, Learning, Leadership Development and Talent Management, Absa Bank Kenya PLC

Hilda Amahundu is a highly accomplished HR leader with extensive experience driving organizational effectiveness and talent transformation across diverse sectors. With a proven track record in shaping high-performance cultures, Hilda has led strategic initiatives at top organizations like Absa Group, Telkom Kenya, and KPMG. Her expertise spans organizational design, leadership development, performance management, and executive recruitment, making her a trusted advisor in building resilient, future-ready businesses. Passionate about unlocking the full potential of talent, Hilda is dedicated to creating environments where people thrive and businesses excel. She holds a Master’s in Organizational Development from the United States International University-Africa and is a certified Personality and Ability Assessment Practitioner (SHL).

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Namahungo Wangila
Group Learning & Development Manager, Java House Africa

With over 8 years of experience in both Learning & Development and Human Resources, Namahungo Wangila is a passionate L&D leader dedicated to shaping high-performing cultures. As the Group Learning & Development Manager at Java House Africa, she drives innovative talent management strategies and creates a collaborative, growth-oriented work environment. Namahungo’s HR Generalist background and her deep expertise in instructional writing, project management, and talent development have equipped her with the tools to design effective training programs, assess their success, and align learning initiatives with organizational goals. Her commitment to developing talent, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring employees thrive in their roles makes her an invaluable asset to any organization.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Caroline Wamae
Learning & Development Manager, Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Caroline Wamae is an accomplished Learning and Development leader with over 17 years of experience driving organizational growth through effective talent management and strategic learning initiatives. As the Learning and Development Manager at Co-operative Bank of Kenya, she crafts and implements innovative learning strategies aligned with the bank's business objectives. Caroline is passionate about building a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging digital learning, strategic communications, and stakeholder collaboration. Her expertise spans across learning needs analysis, program design, talent and leadership development, and fostering a coaching culture to enhance individual and organizational performance. Caroline’s strategic vision and hands-on approach have consistently delivered impactful learning programs that bridge competency gaps, support organizational change, and cultivate high-performance teams.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Cephas Ndaramu
Head Learning & Development, Stanbic Bank

Cephas Ndaramu is a seasoned Learning and Development leader with over 15 years of experience in designing and implementing strategic training solutions that drive business growth and talent development. As the Head of Learning and Development at Stanbic Bank Kenya, Cephas is responsible for shaping the bank’s learning strategy, ensuring that training programs align with the organization's objectives and support its evolving business needs. His role includes advising stakeholders, designing bespoke learning roadmaps, and overseeing the management and delivery of impactful training programs. Prior to his current position, Cephas worked as a Learning & Development Consultant, where he partnered with businesses to provide customized solutions that addressed critical learning challenges. His expertise also includes conducting training needs analyses and running tailored programs. Cephas’ depth of experience in training design, program management, and leadership development makes him an invaluable asset in driving talent growth and organizational performance.

Chrispus Ombati
Lead Learning & Development, Airtel Africa

Chrispus Ombati is a dynamic Learning and Development leader with extensive experience in driving HR and talent management initiatives across diverse industries. Currently, as the Lead - Learning & Development, HR at Airtel Africa, Chrispus is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of learning programs that align with the company's objectives and enhance employee performance. With a strong background in project management, he has successfully developed and executed L&D strategies that support employee growth and organizational success. Previously, Chrispus held various roles at CloudFactory, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational management skills. As a Project Lead, he earned the prestigious CloudFactory Ponting Award for his leadership, client success, and innovative approach to performance management With his deep expertise in HR, project management, and cross-cultural communication, Chrispus excels in creating learning environments that foster personal development and contribute to overall business growth.

Christopher Mwirigi
Senior Manager- Learning and Development, I&M Bank Ltd

Christopher Mwirigi is a highly accomplished Learning and Development professional with over 10 years of experience in driving talent growth, organizational development, and strategic HR initiatives. Currently, as Senior Manager, Learning and Development at I&M Bank Ltd, Christopher is at the helm of the bank’s dynamic L&D agenda, pushing boundaries to foster talent development and enhance business performance across East Africa. He has a proven track record of creating impactful learning strategies, managing large-scale training programs, and supporting the development of high-performing teams. Prior to this, Christopher played a pivotal role at Chase Bank Kenya Ltd, where he successfully managed the training budget, implemented post-training evaluations. His leadership in organization development, including conducting training needs analysis, running induction programs, and managing a Learning Management System, contributed significantly to the bank’s success. Christopher’s expertise in aligning learning programs with strategic objectives, his experience in HR transformation, and his strong business acumen make him a valuable asset in any organization committed to developing talent and achieving long-term success.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Evelyn Mbula
Group Learning and Development Manager, CIC Insurance Company

Evelyn Mbula is an accomplished Learning and Development specialist with over 11 years of experience in training, mentorship, and coaching. Currently serving as the Group Learning and Development Manager at CIC Insurance Company, she has a proven ability to design and deliver impactful training programs that drive employee and sales team development. Evelyn excels in instructional design, eLearning development, and leadership training, and is passionate about creating learning environments that support business objectives. Throughout her career, Evelyn has demonstrated a strong commitment to aligning learning solutions with organizational goals and has played a pivotal role in the success of training programs across multiple sectors. Her strategic vision and hands-on approach to talent development make her a key leader in learning and development, empowering employees to unlock their full potential and contribute to the growth of the business.

L&D Excellence Spotlight
Rosemary Kiumbi
Training and development Manager, Liberty Life Assurance Co

Rosemary Kiumbi is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in driving business strategy through recruitment, training, and business development. As the Training and Development Manager at Liberty Life Assurance Co., she provides strategic direction to the training and development unit, focusing on the recruitment, training, and retention of a high-performing salesforce. Rosemary has consistently delivered results by aligning talent development strategies with organizational goals, particularly in the financial services and insurance sectors. Her strengths in strategic thinking, organisational discipline, and coaching have empowered teams to achieve their full potential, while her ability to mentor and communicate effectively has made her a trusted leader. Rosemary's experience spans managing regional training functions, implementing blended training solutions, and leading business development initiatives to drive growth.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Valentine Kayumbi
Head of Learning and Development, PHL Group

Valentine Kayumbi is a seasoned Learning and Development expert with over 10 years of experience driving talent development strategies. As the Head of Learning and Development at PHL Group, he leads the design and execution of training initiatives that enhance employee productivity and align with business goals. Valentine’s expertise spans strategic planning, people development, and customer-centric learning solutions. With a background at KCB Bank Group and the Institute of Advanced Technology, Valentine is known for his ability to create impactful learning programs, streamline processes, and foster growth through coaching and mentoring. His passion for continuous improvement and people development makes him a dynamic leader in the field.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Kenneth Nyadenda Achoki
Learning & Development Manager, Haleon

Kenneth Nyadenda Achoki is an accomplished HR professional with extensive experience in HR operations, talent management, and business strategy. With a strong background spanning multiple countries in the Eastern & Horn of Africa, Kenneth specializes in aligning HR practices with business goals, driving employee engagement, and implementing competitive reward systems. Currently serving as the Learning and Development Manager at Haleon, he works closely with business partners to design and implement learning strategies that drive organizational success. His work in employee engagement, especially at management and union membership levels, highlights his ability to foster strong labor relations and ensure business continuity. His passion for people development and strategic HR initiatives has consistently contributed to building high-performing teams and enhancing business effectiveness across diverse sectors.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya
Janet Chelimo
Learning & Development and Payroll Manager, Vivo Energy

Janet Chelimo is an accomplished HR leader with over 10 years of experience in the oil and energy sector. Currently serving as the Learning & Development and Payroll Manager at Vivo Energy, she excels in driving HR strategy, talent development, and operational excellence. Janet’s expertise spans compensation and benefits, performance management, HR project management, and budgeting. Her ability to analyze learning needs, design impactful training programs, and manage complex payroll operations has significantly contributed to the company’s growth. Janet is known for her strong business acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and proven track record in delivering results. With an MBA in HR Management, she is a strategic partner in developing and retaining top talent while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.

L&D Excellence Spotlight kenya
Joseph Karanga
Manager Learning & Development, Family Bank Ltd

Joseph Karanga is an accomplished HR leader with over 14 years of experience driving talent development and performance management. As the Manager of Learning & Development at Family Bank Ltd, he has successfully led transformational leadership training initiatives that align employee capabilities with business goals. Joseph’s expertise in performance management, talent growth, and employee engagement has consistently enhanced organizational performance. With a strong background as an HR Business Partner and Branch Operations Manager, Joseph is skilled in optimizing employee performance, driving career growth, and ensuring operational excellence. His leadership acumen, combined with his Management Development Program from Strathmore University, positions him as a strategic force in shaping high-performance cultures.

L&D Excellence Spotlight Kenya

What Sets Great Learning & Development Leaders Apart?

True L&D leadership extends beyond conventional skills and strategies—it’s anchored in transformative mindsets that empower professionals to create dynamic, future-ready organizations. Are you ready to shift your perspective and elevate your approach to learning?

Join our exclusive webinar, Optimisation Advantage for Learning & Development Professionals, designed to help you maximize underutilized assets whether talent, technology, or processes to drive both organizational success and career growth. Don’t miss out on insights that will transform the way you approach learning and development.