Kenya’s financial sector is mourning the death of Job Kariru Muriuki, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Momentum Credit, a lending firm that has steadily built a reputation for offering flexible financing solutions to individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Muriuki passed away on April 2, 2026, at the age of 41, while undergoing treatment in Chennai, India.
His death marks the loss of a young but highly influential entrepreneur whose sharp intellect and strategic leadership helped reshape access to credit for many Kenyans.
Born on November 7, 1984, Job Muriuki’s academic journey reflected an early promise of excellence. He attended Nairobi Academy, where he pursued his International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) between 1997 and 2001.
He later moved to the United Kingdom and joined Brighton College, completing his A Levels from 2001 to 2003.
In 2003, Muriuki enrolled at the University of Cambridge, Downing College, one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.
There, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Master of Engineering, specializing in Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Business Management, completing in 2007.
His pursuit of professional growth did not stop at engineering. In 2012, Muriuki earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation after completing the rigorous CFA program at the CFA Institute, further strengthening his credentials in finance, investment, and corporate strategy.
Muriuki began his career in London as a management consultant at Marakon, a boutique strategy consulting firm known for advising high-level corporate executives.
During his time there, he worked across multiple industries, offering advisory services to senior leaders of multinational companies including BP and British Telecom.
The experience exposed him to global best practices in corporate governance, business strategy, and long-term planning, skills that would later become central to his success in Kenya’s financial and investment sector.
In 2008, Muriuki returned to Kenya and joined Centum Investment Company as a Principal. At Centum, he played a critical role in implementing strategic initiatives across the firm’s investment portfolio.
His contributions were widely felt. He led the consolidation of Centum’s Coca-Cola bottling interests into Almasi Beverages, a move that strengthened operational efficiency and corporate alignment within the portfolio.
He was also instrumental in high-profile acquisitions, including Platinum Credit and K-Rep Bank, the latter of which was later rebranded to Sidian Bank.
Founding Momentum Credit
In 2017, Muriuki founded Momentum Credit, a lending firm that provides affordable and tailored credit for individuals and SMEs.
At a time when many traditional banks remained cautious and bureaucratic in lending to smaller businesses, Momentum Credit positioned itself as a solution-driven institution.
Under Muriuki’s leadership, the company expanded rapidly, developing innovative financing products and supporting sectors often underserved by mainstream financial institutions.
Kenyans mourn Muriuki
Following his death, Kenyans have taken to social media to share condolences messages describing him as a visionary leader and a mentor.
“I had the privilege of knowing Job for many years, from his university days and of working with him from 2008, when he returned to Kenya after graduating with a first-class honors degree in engineering from Cambridge University and working with a management consultancy firm in the UK, and joined Centum,” James Mworia, the CEO of Centum Investment wrote.
“As his first boss and mentor, I had the opportunity to guide him in his early career and witness his growth into an exceptional leader, highly intelligent, deeply committed, and a man of great integrity,” he added.
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