Commercial International Bank (CIB) Kenya has made a significant power play in the local banking sector by poaching seasoned executive Tirus Mwithiga to be its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment, effective February 2026, signals the Egyptian lender’s aggressive intent to deepen its roots in the East African market.

Mwithiga, a veteran with over 35 years of experience, joins CIB from NCBA Group, where he served as the Group Director for Retail Banking. His move to the Egyptian giant is seen as a strategic coup, bringing a wealth of local market knowledge to a bank that has been steadily building its presence since its entry into Kenya. He replaces Abhinav Nehra, who has been steering the ship during the bank's formative years in the region.

A Career of High-Stakes Banking

The incoming CEO is no stranger to the upper echelons of Kenyan finance. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-9)His CV reads like a timeline of the industry's evolution:

• NCBA Group: Instrumental in driving the retail banking strategy for one of Kenya's largest lenders.
• Barclays (now Absa): Spent nearly two decades honing his skills in a multinational environment.
• Standard Chartered: Over 10 years of experience, cementing his reputation as a "chartered banker" with a steady hand.

"Mwithiga brings a distinguished career across the Kenyan financial sector," CIB said in a statement. "His appointment reflects our focus on strengthening management capacity to drive sustainable growth."

The Egyptian Connection

CIB, Egypt's leading private sector bank, views Kenya as its launchpad for Sub-Saharan Africa. The appointment of a local heavyweight like Mwithiga suggests a shift in strategy—moving from "market entry" mode to "market dominance." With trade between Kenya and Egypt growing (Egypt is a key buyer of Kenyan tea), the bank is well-positioned to facilitate cross-border trade finance.

For the Kenyan banking customer, Mwithiga’s leadership will likely mean a push for more tailored products, particularly in the SME and trade sectors where CIB has strong expertise. As he takes the corner office in February, the industry will be watching to see if he can turn the Egyptian giant into a local household name.