Jennifer Riria

Jennifer Riria, is a Kenyan businesswoman, corporate executive, banker, and academic who serves as the group chief executive officer of Kenya Women Holding Group, a microfinance, banking and insurance group serving nearly one million mostly rural Kenyan women.[1][2][3][4]

Jennifer Riria
Born
Kenya[1]
NationalityKenyan
Alma materUniversity of Dar es Salaam
(Bachelor of Arts in Education)
University of Leeds
(Master of Arts)
Kenyatta University
(Doctor of Philosophy)
Occupation(s)Businesswoman, academic
Years active1991 — present
Known forMicrofinance banking, women's empowerment efforts[1]
TitleGroup Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Women Holding Group

Background and education

Riria was born in Kenya. She was the fourth-born in a family with 10 children. She attended a primary school every day, about 4 kilometres (2 mi), from home, traveling barefoot.[1]

She was admitted to Precious Blood High School, an all-girls boarding school administered by the religious order of the Sisters of the Precious Blood,[5] located in Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city. At the end of high school, Riria became pregnant.[1]

After giving birth, she went on to study at the University of Dar es Salaam on a scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She then earned a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Later, Riria obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Women's Education and Development, from Kenyatta University.[1][6]

Career

Following her first degree, Riria taught at Kabete Technical Institute for six months followed by one year at State House Girls High School.[6] In 1979, after her second degree, she returned to her native Kenya and registered for her Doctorate degree at the Kenyatta University. She also began lecturing, part-time at the same university.[6][7]

In 1991, she joined Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT), a microfinance financial institution, founded in 1982. As at 1991, when Riria arrived KWFT was in bad shape, understaffed, and losing money. Riria worked as CEO, janitor, accountant, loan officer and receptionist. Her efforts began to bear fruit and the institution stabilized.[6][8] In 2010, the institution was split into Kenya Women Microfinance Bank and Kenya Women Holding Limited. The holding company then re-branded to Echo Network Africa Limited, in February 2018.[9] Riria is the incumbent CEO of the holding company.[6][8]

Other considerations

Dr. Jennifer Riria was the winner of the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award, or Kenya in 2014. She is also serves as chairwoman of Women's World Banking, a global microfinance network consisting of over 53 MFIs from 30 countries.[1] Riria is a supporter and promoter of the Educate the Net 235 Girls programme. The initiative supports needy girls in their education.[6]

She has served on the boards of Kenyan and international organizations, including at the Nairobi Stock Exchange, being the first female to serve in that capacity. She has also served on the boards of Jitegemee Trust Limited, a microfinance company, National Bank of Kenya, and Kenya Post Office Savings Bank.[7]

Jennifer Riria is the author of two books; an autobiography and A History of Higher Education in Kenya. Both books were launched in June 2014.[10]

See also
Wikiquote has quotations related to Jennifer Riria.

References
  1. Melanie Hawken (12 January 2012). "Dr Jennifer Riria: The start up story of an inspiring entrepreneur who has transformed the lives of millions of Kenyan women". Lionessesofafrica.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. Kahongeh, James (18 January 2018). "Riria: There is no worrying crisis among boys". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  3. Murathe, Eunice (2 March 2018). "KWFT offshoot to empower women ahead of 2022 elections". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  4. Silah, Barry (5 April 2016). "Raring women to roar – meet Dr Jennifer Riria". Nairobi: Mediamaxnetwork.co.ke. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  5. Prescious Blood Secondary School, Riruta (3 March 2018). "Precious Blood Secondary School, Riruta". Riruta: Preciousbloodriruta.com. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  6. Kanake, Anne (3 September 2017). "Jennifer Riria: CEO of Kenya Women Holding Limited". East African Standard. Nairobi. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. Mary Fu (9 January 2008). "Who's Who in Microfinance: Dr. Jennifer Riria". Microcapital.org. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. Gatchalian, Gayle (1 February 2015). "Jennifer Riria: A model leader for women's empowerment". New York City: Womensworldbanking.org. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  9. Ngunjiri, James (11 January 2018). "Kenya Women Holding to change name next month". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  10. Lati, Mwikali (5 June 2014). "The trouble with Kenyan universities". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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