Anne Kinuthia-Otieno has officially left her position as managing director of Airtel Money Kenya, concluding a tenure that spanned nearly five years. She announced her departure via LinkedIn on July 25, 2026, without disclosing details about her next steps.
Kinuthia-Otieno joined Airtel in August 2021 from Absa Bank Kenya, bringing extensive experience in banking, risk management, and SME lending. Her appointment came at a time when Airtel Money was a distant second to Safaricom's M-PESA in the Kenyan mobile money market.
Growth Under Her Leadership
- Market share increased from 3.1% to 10.9% between 2021 and March 2026
- M-PESA's share correspondingly declined from 96.8% to 89.1%
- Major overhaul of Airtel Money’s core platform was completed
- Expansion of agent and merchant networks
- New partnerships with banks and other financial players were established
In 2022, Airtel Money Kenya was spun off from Airtel Networks Kenya to become a standalone company regulated directly by the Central Bank of Kenya. Kinuthia-Otieno led the business through this critical restructuring phase.
Context of Departure
Her exit coincides with a busy period for Airtel. On July 23, Airtel Africa announced plans to list Airtel Money on the London Stock Exchange in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The mobile money service has grown rapidly across Africa, reaching 56.5 million customers by June 2026 and achieving an annualized transaction value exceeding $245 billion.
Additionally, Airtel Kenya recently appointed Djibril Tobe as managing director of its telecom operations, replacing Ashish Malhotra. Meanwhile, Safaricom is also experiencing leadership changes in its mobile money division, with Esther Waititu set to leave as chief financial services officer and Boniface Mungania stepping in as interim.
Kinuthia-Otieno’s departure marks a significant leadership shift within Kenya’s two largest mobile money providers amid intensifying competition and strategic transformations.
