A titan of Kenyan banking is hanging up his boots. Standard Chartered Bank Kenya has announced that its long-serving CEO, Kariuki Ngari, will retire in April 2026 after a stellar 24-year career with the lender.

In a seamlessly choreographed succession plan, the Board has named Birju Sanghrajka, the current Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, as the new Managing Director. The transition marks the end of an era defined by aggressive digital transformation and resilient profits.

The Ngari Legacy

Kariuki Ngari took the helm in 2019 and navigated the bank through the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic turbulence. Under his watch:

• Digital First: 90% of the bank’s transactions moved online, shutting the door on the era of paper slips and long queues.
• Wealth Management: He pivoted the bank from mass market retail to high-net-worth wealth management, a strategy that has paid rich dividends.
• Profitability: Despite a challenging environment, StanChart has consistently posted double-digit profit growth.

Enter Sanghrajka

Birju Sanghrajka is no stranger to the C-suite. As an Executive Director since 2021, he has been the engine room of the bank’s corporate deals. His appointment signals continuity but also a focus on deepening ties with the corporate sector and large institutional clients.

"Kariuki leaves a bank that is leaner, faster, and more profitable," said Board Chair Kellen Kariuki. "Birju’s task is to take that machine and make it fly in a regional market that is becoming increasingly competitive."

For the average shareholder, the message is reassuring: the captain changes, but the ship remains on course. Ngari exits with his head held high, leaving a legacy of stability in a volatile industry.