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DANIEL NDONYE
CHAIR I&M BANK
Steering the board of I&M Bank, Daniel Ndonye plays a key role in driving the bank’s continued success in the dynamic Kenyan financial landscape. Established in 1974, I&M Bank has undergone a transformative journey from a local financial institution to a major regional commercial bank with a robust presence in Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The bank’s sustained growth is underpinned by its adept utilisation of digital and IT capabilities, setting it apart as a leader in the industry.
Simultaneously, as Chair and Director of I&M Capital, a fund manager regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Daniel oversees the implementation of various wealth management and advisory services (WMAS). This subsidiary, like I&M Bank, is under the umbrella of I&M Group PLC.
Born on August 24, 1949, Daniel embarked on his educational journey at Vyulya Primary School, followed by Masii Intermediate School, and eventually Alliance High School for both O and A levels. His leadership prowess emerged during his tenure at Alliance, where he served as a dormitory prefect in Form 5 and later ascended to the position of senior prefect in Form 6. Notably, Daniel was recognised with The Kingsnorth Prize for his significant contributions to Drama.
Upon joining the University of Nairobi (UoN), Daniel not only maintained academic excellence throughout but also made history by becoming the first Kenyan to be awarded a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree with First Class Honours.
In April 1973, Daniel commenced a four-year articleship with Deloitte in Liverpool, England. Excelling in all examinations on the first attempt, he earned Membership in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and later achieved the status of Fellow. He concurrently became a Member and later a Fellow of both the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICSK).
Returning to Deloitte in Nairobi in April 1977 as an Audit Senior, Daniel’s career progressed swiftly. Within a year, he earned a promotion to Assistant Manager, followed by a further promotion to Senior Manager after six months. Impressively, in 1979, he was admitted to the Partnership and later assumed the role of Senior Partner in 1990. He retired from Deloitte in 2010 after serving the firm for 37 years.
During his tenure at Deloitte, Daniel played a multifaceted role in various committees and leadership positions, contributing significantly to professional and organisational realms. For instance, he served actively in the committees of ICPAK, taking on the role of Vice Chair in 1984-85, followed by Chair in 1985-86. He also extended his influence as a Director for the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) for a decade. His commitment to regulatory and governance matters is evident through his roles as Chair of the Disclosure and Standards Committee of the CMA, and Chair of the Registration of Accountants Board, a position he held for over 20 years.
Daniel’s lasting impact is seen in his extended service as Chair of the Syllabuses and Implementation Sub-Committee of the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB) for over two decades, along with his role on the Examinations Committee of KASNEB for a similar duration. His academic involvement continued with the significant responsibility of being the Chief Examiner for the Final Part III Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
Beyond his professional endeavours, Daniel dedicated a decade as the Finance Treasurer at Lavington United Church. Furthermore, he assumed the crucial position of Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for three years. Through his extensive involvement across these roles, Daniel continuously showcased a steadfast commitment to professional excellence, education, and community service.
Since retiring, Daniel has assumed significant roles across diverse organisations, holding a wide-ranging portfolio of directorships. Notable appointments include serving as Director and Chair of Internet Solutions and ARM Cement.
Remaining passionate about education, he has taken leadership roles as Chair of the Board of Management at Masii Girls High School, Chair of Council at Lukenya University, and Chair of the Alliance High School Endowment Fund Trustees. Daniel’s contributions extended to the CMA Appeals Tribunal for two years.
Currently, he is Director and Chair of APA Insurance, Apollo Life Assurance, and Apollo Investments, in addition to his roles at I&M. He is also a Director at Muthaiga Country Club, Kakuzi PLC and Dantrust Services, among others.
A devoted family man, Daniel was married to Anna Mbinya Ndonye until her unfortunate passing after a prolonged battle with Cancer, resulting in three children from their union. Subsequently, he entered into a second marriage with Caroline Muthoni Konji, and together they are blessed with two children.
