Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Habil Olaka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), has resigned after serving for over 13 years and will leave on March 31, 2024.

Olaka joined the KBA of banking institutions in 2010.

KBA Governing Council Chairman John Gachora also announced the appointment of the association’s Director, Legal, Human Resources, and Policy Advocacy, Raimond Molenje, in an acting capacity effective April 1, 2024.

Gachora said that Olaka has been instrumental in the KBA’s strategic direction, successfully spearheading various groundbreaking industry advocacy, development, and sustainability initiatives.

“Dr. Olaka accomplished significant industry milestones, including reinforcing the Association’s role as a reputable and responsive industry leader by championing forward-looking sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth by fostering collaborations with the Government, the sector regulator (CBK) and other partners in the public and private sectors across the economy.”

The Chair also said Olaka’s period was when the first Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFI) was introduced in 2015 to support member banks in creating long-term value for the economy, society, and the environment.

“The initiative culminated in the issuance of the first Green Bond in Kenya and by extension, the East African region in 2019. 2 Dr. Olaka contributed to industry-led mitigations by member banks during the COVID-19 pandemic, collectively preventing the health crisis from degenerating into a financial crisis.”