Open to opportunities

Kenas Otieno

@kenasotieno

Message

Senior governance, risk and compliance leader with 20+ years driving financial institution transformation.

Kenya

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking senior GRC or risk leadership roles where I can embed risk-based assurance, lead regulatory compliance programs, support strategic growth and mentor teams in a collaborative, growth-oriented culture.

I am a senior Governance, Risk and Compliance executive with over 20 years' experience in the financial services sector, having led risk, compliance and operations teams across banks, fintechs and consulting firms. I design and implement GRC frameworks, AML/CFT programs, and risk assurance approaches that align with regulatory expectations and business strategy.

In leadership roles I have driven major initiatives including rights issues, bank acquisitions, implementing RCSA/KRI programs, and reorganizing GRC functions to focus on risk-based assurance and tighter collaboration with internal audit. I have delivered measurable outcomes such as reduced operational losses, successful regulatory approvals for acquisitions, and completed strategic planning across group entities.

I bring cross-border fintech and banking experience, a track record of building GRC business units and training teams, and a pragmatic approach to embedding compliance into operations to enable sustainable growth and regulatory resilience.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Group Head Governance Risk

Current

Anvil Shield Group

May 2024 - Present (1 year 5 months)

Led design and implementation of group-wide governance, risk and compliance programs, reorganizing the GRC function to prioritize risk-based assessments and aligning assurance with real exposures; coordinated the 2025–2027 group strategy formulation and staff engagement.

GRC AML CFT Risk Assessment Policy Development KYC Team Leadership Regulatory Compliance

General Manager, Lead Consultant

PAC Africa

Jan 2023 - May 2024 (1 year 4 months)

Established and led the Governance, Risk & Compliance business unit, drafting proposals, developing training content and delivering advisory and capacity-building engagements for clients across GRC and AML/CFT.

GRC Training Development AML CFT Proposal Writing Client Engagement Business Development Team Leadership

Country Manager

Umba Inc

Oct 2020 - Jan 2023 (2 years 3 months)

Managed Kenya operations and P&L, led market expansion and acquisition efforts securing Daraja (renamed Umba Microfinance Bank) in Kenya and obtaining CBN approval for a Nigerian acquisition; built senior teams and operational processes.

P&L management Market Expansion Regulatory Compliance Operations Management Stakeholder Management Policy Development

Group Chief Operations Officer

Fountain Group

Nov 2014 - Nov 2020 (6 years)

Headed shared services operations, negotiated SLAs, supported product rollouts and budgeting, and coordinated a 2019 rights issue raising KES 100M to support group strategy and microfinance product development.

Operations Management shared services SLA Budgeting Rollout Strategic Planning Fundraising

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Mobikash Africa

Feb 2016 - Dec 2017 (1 year 10 months)

Led growth, partnerships and operations for the payments subsidiary, reorganized management and implemented controls that reduced operational losses by 90% while improving liquidity and collections.

Payments Operations Business Development Partnerships Collections Management Team Leadership Risk Mitigation

Chief Risk Officer

Fountain Global Investors

Nov 2014 - Jan 2016 (1 year 2 months)

Designed and implemented enterprise risk frameworks, operationalized AML/CFT and KYC programs, rolled out RCSA/KRI and established board-level risk reporting and governance structures.

Enterprise Risk Management AML CFT KYC KRIs Policy Development Board Reporting Internal Controls

Chief Risk Officer

I&M Bank

Feb 2011 - Nov 2014 (3 years 9 months)

Led operational and market risk functions, developed AML/CFT and market risk policies, implemented ORMAF with RCSA/KRI and provided risk reporting and stress testing to ALCO and the Board Risk Committee.

AML CFT KRIs Regulatory Reporting

Operational Risk Manager

Kenya Commercial Bank

Aug 2008 - Feb 2011 (2 years 6 months)

Coordinated branch network operational risk assurance, developed KRIs and facilitated RCSAs and branch risk profiling to reduce losses and strengthen control environments.

KRI Development RCSA Facilitation Training

Unit Operational Risk Manager

Standard Chartered Bank

Jun 2000 - Aug 2008 (8 years 2 months)

Managed SME and credit unit operational risk quality assurance, drove AML/CFT compliance and coordinated monthly operational risk reporting and remediation actions across units.

Quality Assurance AML CFT & Compliance Credit Risk Reporting SME Process Improvement