Centum Names Acting CEO as James Mworia Exits After 18 Years

Centum Investment Company PLC has announced the departure of Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Dr. James Mworia, who is stepping down after nearly 18 years.

In a statement on Monday, September 7, Centum confirmed that Mworia is transitioning to become the founding Chief Executive Officer of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Centum’s Board has appointed Thomas Omondi-Achola as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment taking effect immediately.

"To ensure complete strategic momentum and operational continuity, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Thomas Omondi-Achola as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Omondi is currently the Group Chief Operating Officer and Partner for Portfolio Operations in Centum Capital Partners," the statement read.

Omondi brings more than 25 years of senior executive leadership and strategic transformation experience to the role. 

He has served as Centum’s Group COO and Partner for Portfolio Operations since 2018, overseeing strategy development, turnarounds, value creation and capital exits across more than 15 investee companies.

Omondi previously served as Chief Transformation Officer at Sidian Bank, where he led the lender’s turnaround to a USD 4 million profit position within 18 months, before its recent successful exit.

He also serves on the boards of Longhorn Publishers PLC, Nabo Capital, Jafari Credit, Tribus Solutions Group, Tier Data and Greenblade Growers.

Before joining Centum, Omondi spent more than 13 years at Kenya Airways, holding several senior executive positions, including Chief Transformation Officer, Director of Strategy & Performance Management, Acting Chief Commercial Officer, General Manager of Jambojet, Head of Operations Control, Head of HR Business Partners and Head of IT Development.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and an MBA in Finance from the University of Nairobi, as well as an MBA in General Management from IESE Business School in Spain.

Omondi has also attended executive development programmes at the University of London, University of Pretoria, Rolls-Royce and General Electric. 

He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a RIKA Fellow.

Mworia’s exit comes after a tenure during which Centum recorded substantial growth in assets, reduced its debt exposure and expanded its investment portfolio.

Under his leadership, the Group’s total assets increased from KES 4 billion in December 2008 to approximately Ksh46 billion today.

"Under his stewardship, total assets grew tenfold from KES 4 billion and operating on a KES 200 million overdraft in December 2008 to approximately KES 46 billion today," the statement added.

During his tenure, Mworia also oversaw the retirement of Ksh20 billion in total Group debt, including Ksh16 billion at Centum PLC level.

He also led the creation of Centum’s flagship Strategic Platforms and the repositioning and full deleveraging of major strategic holdings, including Vipingo SEZ, Pearl Marina and TRIFIC SEZ, without requiring additional equity.

Centum said Mworia’s leadership also resulted in approximately Ksh5.8 billion in cumulative declared and approved dividends to shareholders.

"This transformation is capped by recent strategic milestones, including the successful exit from Sidian Bank, the historic oversubscribed TRIFIC i-REIT, the strategic divestment from Nabo Capital and the recent special dividend recommendation," the statement added.

Earlier Monday, the NIF board said Mworia was appointed following a competitive recruitment process. 

"The Board of the National Infrastructure Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr James Mworia, MBS, as founding Chief Executive Officer, following a competitive recruitment process with effect from 7 September 2026," read the notice in part. 

The board expressed confidence that Mworia will lead the NIF in mobilizing capital and delivering key infrastructure projects. 

"The Board is confident that Dr Mworia's record of building institutions and enterprises, mobilising capital and bringing investments to market will enable NIF to deliver critical infrastructure, deepen Kenya's capital markets, raise productivity and strengthen Kenya's competitiveness," the board said. 

In the new role, Mworia will be tasked with leading the dual mission of establishing NIF as a credible national investment institution and building the infrastructure enterprises required to deliver its mandate.

"Dr Mworia's initial priorities will include establishing NIF's organisation, people, systems and institutional culture; operationalising its governance, investment and risk-management frameworks; developing a credible and investable project pipeline; mobilising co-investment capital; and progressing priority projects through rigorous appraisal, structuring and execution," the board added.