By James Wafula in Nairobi.
Kenya’s fastest growing most digitized bank in the region Co-operative Bank has scored yet another first following an international award.The bank’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gideon Muriuki has received his third honorary doctorate from the Africa International University. The award is in recognition of his successful contribution to the banking industry. The award gives credit to the CEO’s successful stewardship of the bank which survived the 1998 terrorist bomb blast that had then targetted the nearby US embassy.The bank had been making losses until Dr. Muriuki took stewardship and turned around the lender into one of the region’s most successful outfits in capital finance.Under Dr. Muriuki the bank has kept aloft investing in affordable housing under the Big 4 agenda, donating Kshs 200 million to buy oxygen masks at the height of covid 19 pandemic in 2020, and further supported SMEs and the public transport sector saccos with affordable loans.The public notice by the university said he will be conferred the Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) –DLitt at the institution’s graduation ceremony this December 2022.“This conferment of Doctor of Humane Letters is in recognition of his illustrious and long-standing career in banking: historic turnaround of the Co-operative Bank of Kenya … contribution to the cooperative movement in Kenya and Africa,” the university said in the notice.Dr. Muriuki received his first honorary doctorate in 2011 from Kabarak University in Business Leadership and was awarded a second one from the Co-operative University of Kenya early this year.The Africa International University also cited “his enduring commitment to sustainable finance and inclusive growth practices; exemplary service to the nation.”Dr. Muriuki becomes the proud recipient of a Doctor of Humane Letters from the Africa International university based at the Karen campus■
