Absa Bank Kenya PLC has announced the appointment of Mohammed Nyaoga, EBS, SC, as the new Chairperson of its Board of Directors effective 1st October 2025.
He will be taking over the role from Charles Muchene, whose nine-year tenure as a Director and Chairman concludes at the end of September. The move marks the end of a notable chapter for the bank under Muchene’s guidance and the start of a new one led by one of the country’s most esteemed legal and corporate figures.
Nyaoga brings an exceptional wealth of experience to the position, with a distinguished career in legal practice spanning more than four decades. As a respected Senior Counsel, his expertise is deeply rooted in corporate finance, civil and commercial litigation, and corporate governance.
His leadership pedigree is equally impressive, having previously held the chairmanship of pivotal institutions including the Central Bank of Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, and the International Monetary Fund’s External Experts Panel in Washington. His current role as Chairman of the African Development Bank Group’s disclosure and access to information appeals panel further showcases his standing in international finance.
In recognition of his profound service to the nation, he was honoured with the Presidential Award of the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS). Nyaoga has also been a cornerstone in the field of corporate governance training for over twenty-two years.
His influence has shaped boards not only within Kenya but across the globe, and he has been a regular featured speaker at prestigious governance training events organized by Central Banking Publications in the UK, held at Windsor, Cambridge, and Oxford, as well as for the International Monetary Fund’s regional capacity building forums. This unique blend of practical leadership and academic contribution makes him exceptionally equipped to guide Absa Kenya’s future.
The bank also took the opportunity to extend its gratitude to the outgoing chairman for his dedicated service and visionary leadership over the past nine years.
During his time at the helm, Muchene was instrumental in steering the institution through pivotal moments, fostering robust business growth and building remarkable organisational resilience.
His foresight and steady direction were crucial in transforming Absa into the formidable and sustainably positioned financial institution it is today, leaving a lasting legacy that will undoubtedly influence its trajectory for years to come. Whether Mohammed Nyaoga will be able to keep up with the success of his predecessor, only time will tell.
