Over the past few days, former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe has been trending on social media after he announced that he will be contesting for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on a Jubilee party ticket.
News of Igathe’s return to politics took social media by storm as some netizens lauded him, while others questioned his frequent shift from one job to another. Since the last general election, Igathe has changed at least three high profile jobs.
In this article, Nairobi Leo reviews some of the top jobs and companies Polycarp Igathe has had in his illustrious corporate career:
Queensland Health Australia - Finance Officer (1995)
After graduating from campus in 1995, Igathe took up the job in Australia. He served at Queensland for 18 months before returning to his motherland where another opportunity was awaiting him.
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Coca Cola Africa - Management Trainee
After leaving Queensland Health, Igathe joined Coca Cola Africa as a management trainee. He served at the company until 2000 when he left for his next assignment.
Africa Online - Sales and Marketing Manager
At the time he was joining, Africa Online was the biggest Internet Service Provider in the continent. It is not clear how long he served at Africa Online, but reports indicate that it was a short stint.
Azimio la Umoja Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Polycarp Igathe. [Photo: Courtesy]
East African Breweries - Sales Operations Manager & Marketing Manager
At East African Breweries, he started as a Sales Operations Manager but was later promoted to Marketing Manager. He worked at the brewer until 2003.
Haco industries - Managing Director
Back then Haco Industries was owned by late business mogul Chris Kirubi. Igathe served at Haco for 10 years. To date, this has been his longest stint at one company. He left Haco after it was sold to a different owner.
Vivo Energy - Managing Director
He served as Vivo Energy Kenya’s first managing director. He was hired after Vivo acquired the Shell brand in 16 countries. He served at Vivo until 2017 when he resigned to join politics.
Nairobi Deputy Governor - 2017
Igathe teamed up with flamboyant politician Gideon Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko. Sonko ran for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat with Igathe as his deputy. The two won overwhelmingly and took over office. However, six months after assuming his new role, Igathe resigned over claims of mistrust and being sidelined.
Equity Group Holdings - Chief Commercial Officer (May 2018)
After resigning, he joined Equity Group as the Chief commercial officer. He served at the position for a short stint before returning to Vivo Energy for a second term. He stayed at Vivo for seven months and resigned again. Igathe later returned to Equity where he has been serving until his recent announcement that he was going for the Nairobi governorship.
A part from the top corporate jobs, Igathe has also served as the chairperson of several government and parastatal boards that include; Board of Management Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls (from 2010), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (2012 to 2014), Petroleum Institute of East Africa (2014 to 2016), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (2015) and Special Economic Zones Authority of Kenya (2016).
