Stanbic Bank Kenya has appointed Michael Mutiga as its chief executive after receiving regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Kenya, the lender said on Tuesday.
Mutiga, a former senior executive at Kenyan telecommunications company Safaricom, takes over as Stanbic seeks to build on strong financial results in the first half of the year.
Stanbic Bank Kenya reported profit after tax of 6.6 billion Kenyan shillings ($51 million) for the first six months of 2026, while total assets rose 27% to 602 billion shillings.
Mutiga joins Stanbic from Safaricom, where he served as chief business development and strategy officer. He previously spent about 15 years at Citibank, rising to managing director and head of corporate finance for sub-Saharan Africa.
He also held senior investment banking positions at Barclays, now part of Absa Group.
“Michael is a highly respected leader with an extensive and successful career in banking and finance, both in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa,” Stanbic Bank Kenya Chairman Joe Muganda said.
Muganda said Mutiga’s experience in investment banking and telecommunications would help the bank pursue sustainable growth, improve customer experience and deliver value to shareholders.
Mutiga said he would focus on strengthening customer relationships, accelerating the bank’s digital transformation and working with key sectors of the economy to support Kenya’s development.
“This is a formidable institution with a rich history in this country and a very strong foundation for future growth,” Mutiga said.
Mutiga succeeds Abraham Ongenge, who has served as acting chief executive since March 2026. Ongenge will return to his substantive position as head of personal and private banking.
Mutiga is a lawyer by training and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws from Temple University.
