Today, the Board of Directors of Juhudi Kilimo announced the appointment of Mr. Bernard Kivava as Juhudi Kilimo’s new Chief Executive Officer.
“Bernard’s appointment comes at a time when Juhudi Kilimo celebrates its 6th year anniversary from inception and has set in motion market expansion plans to better serve Kenyan rural smallholder farmers”, said Mr. Cedric De Beer, the Chairman of Juhudi’s Board of Directors. “With an impressive track record and a proven ability to drive innovation and deliver results, the Board is confident that Bernard is the ideal candidate for leading Juhudi Kilimo to greater heights.”
Mr. Kivava joins Juhudi Kilimo as the former Chief Executive Officer of Letshego Rwanda Limited, a Micro Finance Institution where he has been since 2012. He has been instrumental in leading Letshego Rwanda Limited through a shareholding change process and played a key role in transforming the company from Credit only to a Deposit Taking Microfinance Institution with increased profitability year on year. Prior to Letshego, Mr. Kivava held numerous leadership positions at Faulu Kenya, notably as the Head of Business Development. During his tenure at Letshego and Faulu, Mr. Kivava played a pivotal role in supporting both companies achieve stunning business growth in a rapidly changing, competitive and demanding business environment. He brings to Juhudi Kilimo more than 15 years of experience in microfinance and project management in East Africa.
“I am delighted to take my new role at Juhudi Kilimo; an organization which has contributed in empowering and transforming the lives of more than 40,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya”, Mr. Kivava said. “I look forward to working with the strong team of passionate and dedicated employees to further the Company’s market leadership and growth by bringing new levels of innovation, customer service and value to the market place”.