Dr Jeniffer Riria- an Icon of Hope and Empowerment

By GeorgeGeorge Okore:

The Chief Executive Officer has steered Kenya Women Holdings to greater strategy and growth, but watching her mingle with women leaders last Saturday, one is left with a lasting impression that she is a grassroots mobiliser as well. With over 151 units all over Kenya, what a visibility the company enjoys in the world’s financial scene.

At ease with everybody, Dr Jennifer Riria, who holds a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree (PhD), has spent her entire adult life building and contributing to systems that empower majority, especially women and children. She is also a distinguished Microfinance Banker, Researcher and Gender Specialists. Her public leadership began in 1908’s with a stint as a Senate member at Kenyatta University. Dr Riria has been involved in numerous commissions on education policy as well as sitting on the board of several secondary schools.

Through her leadership, Kenya Women Holding (KWH) has grown into the largest regulated microfinance institution focusing on women allover Africa. The organization, which a board member Monica Wassuna describes as the Microfinance Institution of the 21st Century, is the Kenyans largest microfinance institution, with unique focuses on women in rural and urban areas. With a loan portfolio of over Ksh 13 billion, Kenya women Holdings is one of the major players in the Kenyan economy. “We inculcate proper government and management policies and our total commitment to the customer is not negotiable. This has won us international recognition and KWH will continue doing our best to empower and liberate women” explains Dr Riria.

A renowned institutional builder, Dr Riria serves on the board of many local and international institutions. In Kenya, she is a aboard member at National Bank of Kenya (NBK) and Jitegemee Trust. Internationally, she is a director at Women World Banking, Africa Microfinance Action Forum (AMAF) and Quadco Six. She has also been a panelist in several local and international fora, at the same time representing Kenyan women at various meetings abroad. The Kenyan government awarded her Moran of The Burning Spear (MBS) and has also been recognized for building schools all over Africa.

As a result she received Business Excellence Award for Financing by the Corporate Council of Africa on October 1, 2009. The event during the Africa Business gala Awards Dinner in Washington DC, was attended by several Heads of State and Government from all over the world. Accompanied by KWH chairperson Grace Madoka, Dr Riria made a passionate call for women empowerment, saying the status of women in the society is the barometer of the its health. She would later host the Women World Banking and African Microfinance Action Forum (AMAF) in June 4, 2009.

During the meeting at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, President Kibaki and Her Royal Highness – the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Teresa thanked Dr Riria for adopting an African driven social enterprise that addresses all dimensions of poverty. She has hosted several dignitaries including the President of Ford Foundation Luis Ubinas.

A natural philanthropist, through her KWH contributed to the Kenya Red Cross drought appeal in March 2009, underlying KWF commitment to supporting the less fortunate in the society through its Corporate Social Responsibility. Dr Riria has also been included in the 2009/2010 Heritage who’s Who of Business Leaders and Professional Registry.