#21
KEZIAH CHEGE
HEAD OF PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT KENYA WINE AGENCIES LIMITED
In the fast-evolving world of human resources, where balancing organizational goals with employee well-being is no small feat, Keziah stands out as a beacon of dedication, expertise, and transformative leadership. Her story is one of patience, perseverance, and passion—a journey that began with a thirst for knowledge and matured into a career that shapes and empowers some of Kenya’s most dynamic organizations.
A decade-long pursuit of education laid the cornerstone of Keziah’s career. Armed with a Bachelor of Education that uniquely blends Arts, Commerce, and Economics from the University of Nairobi, she built a foundation that goes beyond traditional HR theory. She pursued Certified Public Secretary qualifications, sharpening her grasp on governance and compliance, and crowned her academic journey with an MBA specializing in Human Resource Management. This comprehensive, multi-dimensional educational background set the stage for her to navigate and influence complex business environments with confidence and insight.
Starting humbly as an Executive Customer Service representative at Airtel Kenya, Keziah quickly displayed a knack for understanding people and processes, a skill that would become her hallmark. Her ascent through roles—Administration Assistant, PA to the Director of Finance & IT, to a pivotal HR Assistant position at Bharti Airtel International—was driven by a deep commitment to mastering every layer of organizational life. Whether managing intricate finance systems or pioneering employee engagement initiatives, she brought precision, empathy, and innovative thinking to every task.
Keziah’s defining moment came as she transitioned into the strategic human resources arena. Serving as Assistant Manager for Global Mobility & Employee Relations at Bharti Airtel’s headquarters, she navigated the complexities of international workforce dynamics and compliance with finesse. That role amplified her ability to drive change, manage talent mobility, and foster positive workplace cultures across borders – expertise that would become critical in her leadership toolkit.
Since 2016, as the Human Resource Business Partner at Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Keziah’s role has evolved into that of a trusted strategic partner and visionary. Embedded within the commercial and Supply Chain functions, she champions innovative workforce planning, refines performance management systems, and designs competitive compensation frameworks that attract and retain top talent in a fiercely competitive market. Her approach is holistic – she doesn’t just implement HR policies; she weaves people-centric strategies that elevate productivity, nurture growth, and align seamlessly with KWAL’s business ambitions.
Having served as Acting People Director at KWAL, Keziah has made remarkable strides in integrating the company culture with that of Heineken. Over the past year, she has been instrumental in driving an enterprise-wide organization redesign under the Future Fit Organization model – a transformation that unlocks real opportunities for employees while laying the foundation for a more agile and sustainable future. Keziah also hit the mark with the successful rollout of the HR Digital platform, “MyHR” – a global solution that streamlines the entire employee lifecycle, enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and delivering a superior employee experience.
Looking ahead, in her role as Head of People & Organization Development at KWAL, Keziah is responsible for driving talent acquisition, retention, development and performance management strategies in alignment with Heineken’s strategic objectives and global standards.
Colleagues admire Keziah for her unwavering patience and loyalty—qualities she sees as essential to true professional mastery. “I believe in going deep before testing new waters,” she says. This philosophy has not only strengthened her expertise but also made her a natural mentor and role model for aspiring HR professionals, especially women poised to break new ceilings in corporate Kenya.
Beyond her impressive resume and strategic acumen, Keziah’s true strength lies in her ability to humanize the complex world of HR. She listens actively, acts thoughtfully, and leads with a rare blend of humility and authority. Her story reminds us that great HR leadership is not just about policies and processes—it’s about people, relationships, and the courage to guide others through change with empathy and clarity.
As Kenya’s business landscape continues to evolve, leaders like Keziah are proving indispensable. Her journey from a determined student to a top-tier HR professional encapsulates the power of lifelong learning, strategic career choices, and, above all, a heart committed to serving people as the foundation of sustainable success.
