Highest Paid Bank Executives in Kenya
Kenyan bank executives received varying compensation packages in the 2024 and 2025 financial years, combining fixed salaries, performance-based bonuses, deferred incentives, and, in some cases, dividend income linked to shareholding.
Among the top earning bank CEOs in the country, pay structures remain heavily weighted toward performance, with bonuses often forming the largest share of total earnings.
- Gideon Muriuki — Co-operative Bank (KES 475 million)
Gideon Muriuki leads the list of most paid bank executives in Kenya, with total compensation of KES 475 million. His package included a salary of KES 172.5 million and performance bonuses of KES 302.3 million. He also earned about KES 160 million in dividends from his shareholding, adding another layer to his total income.
- James Mwangi — Equity Group (KES 275.7 million)
James Mwangi ranks among the top earning bank CEOs, with total compensation of KES 275.7 million for the 2025 financial year. His earnings included a base salary of KES 124.86 million and a performance bonus of KES 90.8 million.
He also received allowances and leave pay totalling KES 17.83 million. Outside his formal compensation, dividend income from his Equity Group shares added KES 734.9 million.
- Paul Russo — KCB Group (KES 250.2 million)
Paul Russo received KES 250.2 million, placing him among the most paid bank executives in Kenya. His salary stood at KES 80.3 million, while performance bonuses reached KES 131.7 million. Additional benefits included gratuity, allowances, and non-cash perks totalling KES 37.6 million.
- John Gachora — NCBA Group (KES 208.4 million)
John Gachora earned KES 208.4 million, supported by a salary of KES 93.4 million and a KES 60 million cash bonus. Long-term incentives added KES 21.28 million, while retirement benefits contributed KES 10.1 million.
- Kariuki Ngari — Standard Chartered Kenya (KES 174.4 million)
Kariuki Ngari received KES 174.4 million, placing him within the group of top earning bank CEOs. His salary was KES 51.1 million, while bonuses and cash awards totalled KES 47.4 million. Share-based awards and deferred incentives added KES 11.8 million, alongside pension and benefits of KES 10.9 million.
- Abdi Mohammed — Absa Kenya (KES 109.8 million)
Abdi Mohammed earned KES 109.8 million, supported by a base salary of KES 50.4 million and a KES 19.8 million cash bonus. The remainder of his package came from deferred incentives and retirement benefits, placing him among the lower tier of most paid bank executives in Kenya.
- Nasim Devji — Diamond Trust Bank (KES 62.9 million)
Nasim Devji received KES 62.9 million, the lowest among the highest paid bank executives in this comparison. Her compensation included a base salary and performance-linked bonuses, consistent with standard remuneration structures for bank executives in Kenya.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
