NAIROBI, Kenya- Centum Investment Company has announced the departure of Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Dr James Mworia following his appointment as the founding Chief Executive Officer of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF).
Mworia leaves Centum after nearly 18 years at the helm of the investment company, marking the end of one of the longest corporate leadership tenures in Kenya.
His appointment as NIF chief executive takes effect on September 7, 2026, following a competitive recruitment process.
Centum said its Board of Directors had appointed Group Chief Operating Officer and Partner for Portfolio Operations Thomas Omondi-Achola as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
The company said the appointment was part of its corporate succession plan and was intended to maintain strategic momentum and operational continuity.
“His call to national duty at the National Infrastructure Fund is a testament to his exceptional leadership,” Centum Board Chairman Dr Donald Kaberuka said in the announcement.
Mworia joined Centum’s top leadership in 2008 and oversaw its transformation from a local investment firm into a diversified investment platform operating across East Africa.
According to Centum, its total assets increased tenfold from Sh4 billion in December 2008 to approximately Sh46 billion during his tenure.
The company said Mworia also oversaw the retirement of Sh20 billion in Group debt, including Sh16 billion held at Centum PLC level, eliminating holding company leverage and refinancing risk.
Centum credited him with spearheading the establishment of major investment platforms and repositioning strategic assets, including Vipingo Special Economic Zone, Pearl Marina and Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Centre Special Economic Zone.
The company said it completed the projects without seeking additional equity from shareholders.
Centum also reported delivering approximately Sh5.8 billion in cumulative declared and approved dividends to shareholders during Mworia’s tenure.
Other milestones cited by the company include its exit from Sidian Bank, the oversubscribed TRIFIC Income Real Estate Investment Trust, the divestment from Nabo Capital and a recent recommendation for a special dividend.
Omondi-Achola, who now takes over in an acting capacity, has more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership and corporate transformation.
He joined Centum in 2018 and has overseen strategy development, business turnarounds, value creation and capital exits across more than 15 companies in the Group’s portfolio.
He previously worked at Sidian Bank as Chief Transformation Officer and spent more than 13 years at Kenya Airways in several senior positions, including Chief Transformation Officer, Acting Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager of Jambojet.
Omondi-Achola currently serves on several boards, including Longhorn Publishers, Nabo Capital, Safari Credit, Tribus Solutions Group, Tier Data and Greenblade Growers.
Mworia will now lead efforts to establish and operationalise the National Infrastructure Fund, including developing its investment pipeline, governance structures and risk-management systems.
Before becoming its founding chief executive, Mworia had served as an independent director on the NIF Board following his appointment in July 2026.
