Stanbic Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Dr Joshua Oigara as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director, effective 1 March 2026. He will take over the role from Patrick Mweheire, who retires from the position on 28 February after a six-year tenure characterized by strategic execution, consistent growth, and the strengthening of Stanbic Kenya’s standing as a formidable franchise within the Standard Bank Group.
After stepping down, Mweheire will remain within the group in a senior executive capacity, ensuring continuity and the retention of his deep institutional knowledge. Dr. Oigara’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Stanbic and for the East African banking sector.
Prior to the appointment, he served as the Standard Bank Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, a position he has held since September 2025. He oversaw operations across six countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
His expanded mandate will now see him helm Stanbic Holdings Plc concurrently, indicating the group’s confidence in his ability to balance strategic oversight at both the regional and national levels. He is no stranger to the upper echelons of banking leadership in the region.
He also once served as the Chief Executive Officer of KCB Kenya, where he earned a formidable reputation for steering institutional transformation, deepening financial inclusion, and navigating complex regulatory and market environments with acumen.
Dr. Oigara holds an MBA with distinction in International Business Management from Edith Cowan University in Australia, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya, CPA (K), and maintains professional memberships with both the Kenya Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.
Further honing his strategic leadership capabilities, he is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. This blend of academic rigour, professional certification, and hands-on executive experience positions him uniquely to lead Stanbic into its next phase of evolution.
The Board of Stanbic Holdings Plc has expressed strong confidence in Dr. Oigara’s ability to build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor. His track record in driving banking sector transformation, expanding regional market presence, and advocating for greater financial inclusion aligns seamlessly with the company’s long-term strategic objectives.
Although his appointment remains subject to requisite regulatory approvals, many view it as a natural yet ambitious step in Stanbic’s growth trajectory.
The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the lender as it prepares to welcome a leader whose reputation precedes him. As the financial services sector in East Africa continues to undergo rapid change, Dr. Oigara’s leadership is expected to provide both stability and bold direction.
