Amid persistent layoffs in top companies, the year 2023 also witnessed a significant increase in CEOs exit from top firms.
Some of those who exited cited pursuit for other interests as the main reason behind the exits while others left silently or kicked out due to scandals.
Among the company CEOs who left their top paying jobs in 2023 are;
Githii Mburu
The former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General Githii Mburu resigned in February 2023 after a three year and seven months stint at the helm.
According to a statement by the Authority’s board, Mburu resigned to pursue personal interests. He assumed the role at the Authority in July 2019 following the retirement of John Njiraini.
Under his leadership, KRA’s tax collection grew from Sh1.607 trillion in FY2019-20 to Sh2.03 trillion in FY2021-22, the first time breaching the Sh2trillion mark.
 Mburu was replaced by Rispah Simiyu who assumed office in an acting capacity on February 23, 2023.
Rebecca Mbithi
Family Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rebecca Mbithi left the institution in November 2023 after a five-year term at the helm. In a statement, the lender said Mbithi exited the role to pursue other interests.
Mbithi served as the Family Bank boss since 2019, replacing Mr David Thuku who served as the lender’s CEO for three years. She previously served the bank as the Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer.
She was recognized for leading the bank through a successful corporate bond issuance. Mbithi was replaced by Nancy Njau who had served the lender for 21 years in various capacities including Head of Retail Banking, and Chief Officer Public Sector, among others.
Kenyan man who spent Christmas day cycling for 300km, from Kisii to Nairobi
Ezra Chiloba
Ezra Chiloba resigned as the Director-General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in October 2023Â after serving for two years.
His resignation came one month after he was suspended for unspecified reasons. The former CA boss was allegedly kicked out over abuse of office and misuse of funds in the authority’s mortgage Scheme.
Chiloba assumed the Director-General position in October 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was serving as the CEO of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) where he was expelled in 2018.
He was replaced by Christopher Wambua.
Michael Thuita
Athi Water Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Michael Thuita resigned in September 2023 after five years.
His resignation came a day after Chief of Staff and the Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei ordered his suspension.
Thuita was arrested over alleged corruption and fraud in the implementation of water projects, particularly the construction of Ruiru II Karimenu and Kitui Matuu water projects.
He was replaced by Joseph Mungai Kamau.
Bernard Njiraini
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Bernard Njiraini was suspended in May alongside other 26 officials in a sweet sugar scandal.
The officials were under investigations for the release of condemned sugar earmarked for industrial use. Njiraini was replaced by Esther Ngari who previously served as the director of standards development and trade at the firm.
