Esther Koimett
Esther Koimett | |
|---|---|
Koimett in 2010 | |
| Born | 1957 (age 68–69) |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Employers |
|
| Title | CBS |
| Children | 4 |
| Father | Nicholas Biwott |
Esther Koimett is a Kenyan public servant experienced in investment promotion, banking, privatization, public enterprise, and public policy.
Background and education
Koimett was born in Kenya circa 1967.[1][2] She is the firstborn of the late Moi-era politician Nicholas Biwott.[3] She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, both from the University of Nairobi.[2]
Career
Koimett has served as the principal secretary of the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs since her appointment by former president Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2020.[4] Prior to her appointment in the ICT docket, Koimett served as the principal secretary of the State Department for Transport, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development & Public Works since her appointment in August 2018.[5]
Koimett has also worked as the director general of Public Investment and Portfolio Management at the National Treasury.[1] She served as the managing director and chief executive officer of the Kenya Post Office Savings Bank.[2]
She has been instrumental in supporting the development of various notable policies in Kenya that include the amendment of the National ICT Policy Guidelines to spur and support the growth of business process outsourcing companies in Kenya. She was instrumental in the drafting of the Privatization Bill which was enacted into law in 2005.
Work experience
Koimett has worked in public service for over 25 years. She has worked as the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Information and as the managing director of Kenya Post Office Savings Bank. For at least 18 of those years, she was involved in investment promotion, public enterprise reform, and privatization.[2]
She has been responsible for the divestiture of parastatal companies, either through the selection of a "strategic investor" or through the flotation of an IPO on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Some of the companies privatized through this process include Kenya Reinsurance Corporation, Tourism Promotion Services, Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Airways, Kenya Commercial Bank Group, Housing Finance Group of Kenya, Mumias Sugar Company Limited, Kenya Electricity Generating Company and Safaricom.[1]
As principal secretary of the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, she oversees all the state corporations under the Department, namely:
- Competition Authority of Kenya
- Postal Corporation of Kenya
- Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
- Media Council of Kenya
- Kenya Film Classification Board
- Kenya Film Commission
- Kenya Institute of Mass Communications
- Kenya Year Book Board
As PS, Transport, she was in charge of overseeing Kenya Airways and all the state corporations under the department, namely:
- Kenya Ports Authority
- Kenya Railways Corporation
- LAPSSET Corridor
- Kenya Airports Authority
- Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
- Kenya Ferry Services
Other considerations
She has been a member of the boards of[2] Kenya Railways Corporation, Telkom Kenya, Mumias Sugar Company Limited, Nairobi Stock Exchange, Safaricom, and the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI).
Personal life
Koimett is married with four children.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Situma, Evelyn (29 May 2014). "The iron lady of public service". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Bloomberg (21 November 2017). "Company Overview of Safaricom Limited: Executive Profile of Esther Koimett, Board Member and Member of Audit Committee and Member of Nomination & Remuneration Committee". Bloomberg Research. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ Agutu, Nancy (18 July 2017). "You sang our worries away: Family eulogises Total Man Biwott". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Two ministers left out as Kenyatta reshuffles cabinet". www.theeastafrican.co.ke. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Names New Cabinet". allAfrica.com. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2022.