Centum Investment Company PLC has appointed Thomas Omondi-Achola as its acting Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Dr James Mworia.
Mworia has stepped down from his role at Centum to lead the board of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF).
Centum’s Board of Directors announced the leadership change on Monday.
Omondi currently serves as the Group Chief Operating Officer and Partner for Portfolio Operations at Centum Capital Partners. He has held the position since 2018.
Thomas Omondi’s Experience
Centum said Omondi brings more than 25 years of senior leadership and strategic transformation experience.
During his career, he has worked on strategy development, business turnarounds, value creation and capital exits across more than 15 companies.
Before joining Centum, Omondi served as the Chief Transformation Officer at Sidian Bank.
He also sits on the boards of several companies. They include Longhorn Publishers PLC, Nabo Capital, Jafari Credit, Tribus Solutions Group, Tier Data and Greenblade Growers.
Omondi also spent more than 13 years at Kenya Airways, where he held several senior positions.
His roles at the national carrier included Chief Transformation Officer, Director of Strategy and Performance Management, Acting Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager of Jambojet.
He also served as Head of Operations Control, Head of HR Business Partners and Head of IT Development.
Omondi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and an MBA in Finance from the University of Nairobi.
He also holds an MBA in General Management from IESE Business School in Spain.
Mworia Ends 18-Year Centum Career
Mworia’s move to the government brings his 18-year leadership career at Centum to an end.
During his tenure, he helped transform Centum from a local investment company into one of East Africa’s leading diversified investment platforms.
Centum’s board said the company’s total assets grew significantly under Mworia’s leadership.
The assets increased from about KSh4 billion in December 2008 to approximately KSh46 billion today.
The board also said Mworia helped retire KSh20 billion in total group debt, including KSh16 billion at Centum PLC level.
This move eliminated holding company leverage and reduced refinancing risks.
He also oversaw the creation of major strategic platforms and helped restructure several key investments.
These included Vipingo SEZ, Pearl Marina and TRIFIC SEZ.
Mworia Takes Charge at National Infrastructure Fund
At NIF, Mworia will help establish the fund as a credible national investment institution.
He will also oversee the development of infrastructure businesses needed to support the fund’s mandate.
His responsibilities will include setting up the organisation, recruiting staff and developing systems and institutional structures.
He will also help establish governance, investment and risk-management frameworks.
Another key task will involve developing a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects.
Mworia will also work to attract co-investment capital and move priority projects through appraisal, financing and implementation.
NIF to Support Major Infrastructure Projects
The National Infrastructure Fund forms part of President William Ruto’s plans to create new ways of financing major development projects.
President Ruto signed the National Infrastructure Fund Act, 2026, into law on March 9.
The law allows the government to mobilise up to KSh5 trillion over the next 10 years through privatisation and alternative financing methods.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has previously said the fund will help Kenya reduce its dependence on borrowing to finance development projects.
Several major projects could benefit from the fund.
They include the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba, and the construction of about 2,500 kilometres of dual-carriage highways.
The government also plans to develop up to 10,000 megawatts of clean energy capacity through the new financing framework.
