Co-operative Bank CEO Gideon Muriuki received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Co-operative University of Kenya in recognition of his contributions to banking and the co-operative movement in Kenya, in another fete that elevates him above his peers.
Mr Muriuki received the degree at the 25th February graduation ceremony held at the main campus in Karen, Nairobi. This came after the 2011 award of PhD in Businesses Leadership from Kabarak University.
Also in October 2021, Dr Gideon Muriuki was named Best Bank CEO in Africa at the African Banking Awards organised by EMEA Finance. The EMEA Finance Awards recognise corporate leaders and financial institutions which, through their client focus and sound leadership, continue to increase profitability, deliver affordable credit to the retail and wholesale markets, and support local and transnational corporations do business.
The 2021 awards had a unique perspective in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, for which the Co-op Bank Group CEO was recognised for implementing key strategies to address challenges facing both businesses and households. Dr Muriuki was recognised for the decision to sustain the payment of dividends to shareholders despite Covid-19.
The Co-operative University said the PhD degree recognized his contribution to the country’s co-operatives sector and Co-operative Bank. “This conferment of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) is in recognition of his distinguished career in the banking industry, immense contribution the co-operative sector, exemplary service to the nation, successful turnaround and great expansion of the Co-operative Bank of Kenya,” the university said.
The university also cited Mr Muriuki’s “great leadership during Covid-19 pandemic by offering critical relief and support to over 15 million members of the co-operative movement in Kenya and the outstanding contribution to the development of rural finance in Africa.”
Co-op Bank pursued growth in the middle of the pandemic, acquiring Jamii Bora (now trading as Kingdom Bank) in August 2020, a transaction whose success got a major boost from unprecedented financial support from the CBK.
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