Standard Chartered Bank Kenya(SCBK) Limited, the first lender in Kenya to deploy automated teller machines(ATMs), has undertaken deep changes within in top executive suite since issuing a profit warning after losing a costly pensions settlement dispute.
The first casualty was its Chief Executive Officer Kariuki Ngari, who proceeds to retirement after being in SCBK as well as leading roles in the lender’s Africa operations for more than two decades. Ngari’s successor is Birju Sanghrajka.
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya has also seen the exit of its long –serving Chief Finance Officer Chemutai Murgor, who leaves the lender after being in the finance docket for operations in Kenya and East Africa, for more than 25 years.
Murgor departs on 31st May 2026 and will be succeeded by Gladys Warirah, who is the new CFO and Executive Director at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya.
Chemutai Murgor is an accomplished finance professional with extensive experience across various sectors, including banking, audit, and academia.
Some of the notable positions she has held include CFO and Finance Director for Standard Chartered Bank in both Kenya and Africa, and previous roles at Deloitte UK as Manager and Senior Manager.
Chemutai has been involved in governance as a Board Member for the Insurance Regulatory Authority and the International Water Management Institute, as well as serving on audit and risk committees for both institutions and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Educated at prestigious institutions, including the University of Nairobi and Harvard Business School, Chemutai holds multiple qualifications, including Chartered Accountant status and an MBA.
Currently, she is a member of the Women Corporate Directors Kenya Chapter. Chemutai is recognized for contributions to the finance and accountancy professions.
Warirah’s appointment at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya comes at a time when the lender, one of the blue chips in the banking sector, has issued a profit drop alert.
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya C Suite Changes: Why Now
The changes can be viewed as one where the lender is dealing with governance renewal issues after the pensions dispute. The UK based lender has also exited major African markets, with a presence now in Kenya and Nigeria among a few other African markets.
Gladys Warirah packs more than 20 years of finance and governance experience to Standard Chartered Bank Kenya. The c-suite changes come weeks before the lender announces its 2025 audited financial results and final dividend on 18th March 2026.
Warirah was previously Financial Controller at SCBK before relocating in 2023 to become Country Treasurer at Standard Chartered Malaysia.
Her career spans Deloitte, Ernst & Young London, Aviva Plc, and senior finance roles at Standard Chartered.
She holds a B. Com in Accounting from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from Warwick Business School. Warirah is also an experienced boardroom player with 18 years’ experience in finance, insurance, NGOs, and education sectors. She was recognized in Kenya’s “Top 40 Under 40” awards for her contributions to business and public service.
It was during Chemutai’s reign at the finance docket that Standard Chartered Bank Kenya improved her balance sheet management, operating efficiency, and technology‑led finance transformation.
In 2024, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya sprung back with net profit climbing to KSh20.06 billion from KSh13.84 billion in 2023.
Then in the third quarter of 2025, pre-tax profit plunged 41% to KSh13.20 billion, while net profit fell 38% to KSh9.79 billion.
However, asset quality improved, with gross non‑performing loans falling to KSh9.13 billion from KSh12.14 billion a year earlier.
The Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya is led by Kellen Eileen Kariuki-Chairperson of the Board, Birju Sanghrajka Managing Director & Head of Corporate & Investment Banking Coverage, Kenya; Edith Chumba-Head, Wealth & Retail Banking, Kenya & East Africa; Judy Nyaga as Company Secretary; David Ong’olo- Independent Non-Executive Director; Nivedita Sharma-Independent Non-Executive Director; Robert Mbugua-Independent Non-Executive Director and Beverley Obatoyinbo- Independent Non-Executive Director
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd offers a variety of local and foreign currency banking solutions to meet its clients, transactional, borrowing and investment needs.
It has a diversified portfolio cutting across select sectors that include business services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transport and communication, real estate, agriculture, energy and water.
The company’s segments are mainly Corporate and Investment Banking; Wealth and Retail Banking; Central and Other items.
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