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LINUS GITAHI
CHAIR OXYGENE MCL
Linus Gitahi is the quintessential Board Director and Chair who has served on both local and international Boardrooms.
In these boardrooms, Gitahi has gone ahead to sit in both executive and non-executive roles in entities where he sometimes has an equity interest and, in many entities, where he does not have shareholding interests.
In both interests, Gitahi strives to entrench solid, sound, robust corporate governance principles with a knack for entrepreneurial outlook.
One of his current Board interests and passion points is serving as Board Chair at Oxygène Marketing Communications (Oxygene MCL). Here, he is providing much-needed guidance to a team of youthful investors running one of the fastest-growing Integrated Marketing Communications firms in Kenya. As Chair of the Board at Oxygène, he has been instrumental since its establishment in 2016, shaping the success of this independent integrated communications agency over an eight-year journey.
Positioned as a dynamic force aiming to capture the attention of clients and inspire action, Oxygène’s core philosophy centres around integration, underscoring the paramount importance of people, culture, and relationships in every endeavour. Embracing a vision to be an indispensable partner for influence and growth, Oxygène operates on pillars of creativity, collaboration, integrity, and agility. Recognised as a fundamental influencer, the agency excels in comprehending and addressing critical issues, providing nuanced advice to clients facing unique situations. Under his steadfast chairmanship, Oxygène is thriving as a visionary force in the dynamic marketing and communications industry.
Driven by a passionate dedication to wealth creation and employment generation, Gitahi extends his impact beyond his Chairmanship at Oxygène. He is also the Chair at Tropikal Brands Afrika, a firm that has made a strategic foray into manufacturing in Kenya with several household brands under its belt. Simultaneously, he channels his expertise into the banking sector, serving as Chair at Diamond Trust Bank (DTB). He is also actively championing industrialisation as Chair of the board at Msingi East Africa.
Additionally, he lends his expertise to the tourism and hospitality sector, taking on the Chairmanship at Sangare Gardens. These ventures, initiated post his tenure at NMG, are a testament to his commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest. Furthermore, Gitahi contributes to the governance and strategic direction of Simba Corporation, Jubilee Allianz Insurance Kenya, and Outspan Hospital and Medical College as a member of their respective boards of directors. His multifaceted engagements showcase a visionary leader’s dedication to fostering economic growth and sustainability.
Born in 1962, Gitahi holds a Diploma in Management from Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Accounting with Honours from the University of Nairobi (UoN), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A).
He started his career with a brief stint at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and transitioned to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as Marketing Director for Africa in Consumer Healthcare, based in London, UK. In this role, he adeptly orchestrated consumer market activities across the continent. Later, Gitahi took on the Commercial Director for Consumer Healthcare in the Near East, stationed in Nicosia, Cyprus, where he oversaw operations in several countries and played a pivotal role in the successful launch of Panadol Extra in the region.
Subsequently, as the Director and General Manager (GM) for Consumer Healthcare in Nairobi, Kenya, Gitahi led GSK Nairobi to achieve the fastest-growing consumer healthcare segment in Africa and the Middle East. His exceptional leadership continued during his tenure as Group Managing Director (MD) in Lagos, Nigeria, resulting in a remarkable doubling of profits, the establishment of a new oral care factory in Agbara (Ogun State), and the construction of a new Head Office in Ilupeju.
Upon taking on the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Nation Media Group (NMG) from the pharmaceuticals industry, there were doubts about Gitahi’s ability to integrate seamlessly into the media landscape. Contrary to expectations, he adapted swiftly and rose to prominence, emerging as a leading figure among media CEOs in engagements with the government. His arrival coincided with a tumultuous period in the media sector, marked by internal disputes and parliamentary attempts to regulate it through various acts.
Collaborating with media mogul SK Macharia, then Chair of the Media Owners Association (MOA) Dr. Hanningtone Gaya, former Attorney General (AG) Prof. Githu Muigai, and Senior Counsel (SC) Paul Muite, Gitahi fostered an environment conducive to dialogue, ultimately leading to the enactment of the much acclaimed Media Council Act 2007. This landmark legislation introduced statutory media regulation, establishing a professionally run Media Council and the inaugural Complaints Commission. Gitahi’s leadership extended to the Chairmanship of the MOA in 2008, where he transformed it into a formidable industry lobby organisation during his three-year impactful term before handing over the reins to SK Macharia. Notably, during Gitahi’s tenure as CEO of NMG, he propelled profits to grow 3.5 times and turnover slightly more than doubled.
In line with his commitment to personal social responsibility, Gitahi initiated the Baraka Foundation. This venture has provided education for over 200 children from economically disadvantaged families, supporting them through their formative years from form 1 to 4. In recognition of this impactful contribution, President Mwai Kibaki honoured Gitahi with the prestigious award of the Order of the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2010.
