SNC announces recipients of the 2025 leadership excellence awards

By Steve UMIDHA

Strategic Nest Corporation (SNC) has announced this year’s finalists of the Strategic Business & Leadership Awards 2025 (SBLA) – a recognition that honors individuals for their exceptional leadership, significant contributions to innovation, driving business growth, and fostering positive change and impacting lives within their fields.

 

The research-driven communications strategist said today’s announcement, which recognized twenty-five (25) different Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), thirty (30) corporations, and ten (10) special recognitions, brings the nominees one step closer to being named final winners across the three categories during its gala night on November 7 at a Nairobi hotel.

 

Speaking while addressing journalists at the firm’s head office in Nairobi, Samuel Njari, the CEO of Strategic Nest Corporation (SNC), said the nominees were judiciously cherry–picked through its Secretariat, adding that the “recognition is not bought or lobbied for, and not voted on. It is earned through demonstrated leadership, innovation, and service.”

 

“Our secretariat team conducted months of research, which included a collision of community voices to identify potential honorees across 50 categories. The process began in December 2024.

 

Out of a pool of 297 CEOs and 362 Corporates, the Secretariat endorsed 25 CEOs, 30 corporates, and 10 special recognitions to the SNC Board of Directors, who independently vetted and verified each candidate,” reckoned Njari.

Further, adding that, “the awards also seek to tell Africa’s leadership story in a way that motivates others to dream bigger, lead better, and serve deeper.”

 

SBLA 2025 honorees.

CEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS

1. CEO OF THE YEAR – FINANCE & BANKING ERIC MURIUKI NJAGI

 

NCBA Group Director, Digital Business & Chief Executive Officer LOOP DFS

 

 

2. CEO OF THE YEAR – TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Morris Mbetsa – CEO Numeral IOT

 

 

3. CEO OF THE YEAR – HEALTHCARE

Mwende musunga – ceo lancet

 

 

4. CEO OF THE YEAR – MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY

Mr. Julius Chomba – Founder Joy Millers Limited

 

 

5. CEO OF THE YEAR – REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Moses muriithi – CEO FANAKA REAL ESTATE

 

 

6. CEO OF THE YEAR – RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS

Esther muchemi – CEO samchi group

7. CEO OF THE YEAR – MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

Martin khafafa – Group CEO radio Africa group

 

 

8. CEO OF THE YEAR – AGRICULTURE & AGRIBUSINESS

Joseph Rehmann – Founder & Group CEO Victory Farms

 

 

9. CEO OF THE YEAR – LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT

Karanvir singh – Yego mobility

 

 

10. CEO OF THE YEAR – HOSPITALITY

Rahab Mwihaki – CEO Lake Naivasha Resort

 

11. CEO OF THE YEAR –TOURISM

Esther Akoth – CEO Akothee safaris

 

 

12. CEO OF THE YEAR – ENERGY & UTILITIES

Max Schiff – CEO Lake Turkana Wind Power

 

 

13. CEO OF THE YEAR – INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

Njeri Jomo – Jubilee Health Insurance ltd

 

 

14. CEO OF THE YEAR – EDUCATION & TRAINING

Dr Vincent ogutu – VC STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY

 

 

15. CEO OF THE YEAR – TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Joshua Kipchumba Chepkwony – Founder and CEO Jamii Telecommunications Ltd

 

 

16. CEO OF THE YEAR – SOCIAL ENTERPRISE & IMPACT VENTURES

Wawira Njiru – Founder And CEO Food4Education

 

 

17. CEO OF THE YEAR – FINTECH & MOBILE SOLUTIONS ABRAHAM MBUTHIA- CEO Uza Point

 

18. CEO OF THE YEAR – FASHION & LIFESTYLE

Catherine mayeye – CEO African Design and fabrics

 

 

19. CEO OF THE YEAR – E-COMMERCE & ONLINE PLATFORMS

Priscilla Muhiu – CEO Mydawa

 

 

20. CEO OF THE YEAR – SACCO & MICROFINANCE

 

Mr. Kenneth Odhiambo – CEO Mwalimu National Sacco

 

 

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

1. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – FINANCE & BANKING

I&M Bank Ltd

 

 

2. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Africa’s Talking

 

 

3. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – HEALTHCARE

Ruai Family Hospital (RFH)

 

 

4. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY

Mombasa Maize Millers Limited

 

 

5. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Username investment ltd

 

 

6. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS

MOTHOKINJU PAINTS AND CEMENT

 

 

7. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

Cape Media Ltd

 

 

8. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – AGRICULTURE & AGRIBUSINESS

Syngenta Kenya

 

9. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT

Safari link Aviation Limited

 

 

 

 

10. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – HOSPITALITY

Villa Rosa Kempinski

 

 

11. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR –TOURISM

Expeditions Maasai Safaris

 

 

12. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – ENERGY & UTILITIES

Astrol Petroleum

 

 

13. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

Britam insurance

 

 

14. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – EDUCATION & TRAINING

Kitengela international schools

 

 

15. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Airtel Kenya

 

 

16. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – SOCIAL IMPACT ENTERPRISE

KCB Foundation

 

 

17. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – FASHION & LIFESTYLE

Vivo Fashion Group Kenya

 

18. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – FINTECH & DIGITAL FINANCE

Pesa pal

 

 

19. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Glovo

 

 

20. CORPORATE OF THE YEAR – SACCO & MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION

Stima DT Sacco Society

 

SPECIAL EXELLENCE AWARDS

1. CITIZEN-LED MOVEMENT OF THE YEAR

Sisi Kwa Sisi championed Eric Omondi

2. DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Sen. Crystal Kagehi Asige (Crystal Asige)

3. Creative Entrepreneur of the year

Timothy kimani (Njuguna)

4. Entertainment legacy award

David Mathenge (Nameless)

 

5. EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Absa Bank Kenya

 

 

6. EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Dr. Shikoh Gitau – CEO Qhala

7. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN LEADERSHIP

Dr. Jennifer Riria- ECO Network Africa

8. Life time achievement in media

Jeff Koinange

 

9. Top woman in business and leadership

Rita kavashe -managing director Isuzu

 

10. Inspiration leader of the year youth and governance category

Hon. Babu Owino