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KUI KINYANJUI
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK KENYA
Kui Kinyanjui stands as a beacon in the realm of corporate communications, wielding strategic prowess in external affairs leadership coupled with a profound skill set in global stakeholder management and corporate transparency.
Throughout her illustrious career, Kui has contributed significantly to the growth trajectories of Fortune 500 companies, African tech unicorns, and global non-profits alike, all united by a common aspiration: leveraging technology innovatively to facilitate access to essential services.
From delving into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionise medical diagnoses to unravelling the narrative behind the meteoric rise of M-PESA, the world’s most successful money transfer project, and exploring how technology can foster sustainability and knowledge accessibility, Kui has collaborated with diverse organisations to cultivate audiences and foster sustainable stakeholder engagement.
Currently heading the Communications team at Standard Chartered Bank, Kui is entrusted with steering external relations, investor relations, sustainability reporting, and stakeholder communications for the Bank.
Prior to her current role, Kui served as the Head of Regulatory and Public Policy at Safaricom PLC. In this capacity, she spearheaded the development and execution of a comprehensive regulatory and stakeholder engagement strategy, collaborating closely with organisational leaders and global affiliates to identify strategic market opportunities. Leading a dynamic team, she oversaw government relations, regulatory compliance, public policy analysis, and external stakeholder relations.
During her tenure as Head of Communications at Safaricom, Kui undertook the monumental task of revitalising and expanding the company’s communications mandate. Cultivating relationships with local, regional, and international affiliates, she established shared engagement platforms and led diverse teams responsible for media relations, social outreach, internal communications, investor relations, reputation management, and external stakeholder relations.
Kui’s influence reaches far beyond borders. In her role as Vice President of Communications for Wikipedia, the world’s fifth largest website, based in San Francisco, USA, she orchestrated and implemented a comprehensive global communications strategy. Here, she played a central role in team building and served as the organisation’s spokesperson, leaving an indelible mark on the global communications landscape.
Kui’s diverse professional journey spans across various sectors. Prior to her roles in corporate leadership, she honed her skills in journalism, beginning as a Staff Writer at Executive Magazine and later advancing to the role of Editor at PC World East Africa Magazine. This foundational experience in journalism laid the groundwork for her subsequent positions, including her distinguished service as a senior reporter at the Nation Media Group (NMG). Subsequently, Kui transitioned into management roles within IBM Corporation’s Growth Markets Unit, where she oversaw operations across over 130 markets, and gained significant experience at Ogilvy Public Relations as an account leader.
Actively involved in governance and strategic direction, Kui serves as a Board Member at the Population Council, leveraging her expertise to design solutions aimed at improving the lives of underserved populations globally. Furthermore, she offers support to the Institute of Public Policy and Governance at Strathmore University’s Business School as an Adjunct Executive Fellow, concentrating on policy formulation for the Digital Economy. Additionally, she held the role of Advisory Board Member for the Global System for Mobile Communications Association’s (GSMA) Mobile World Congress Africa between 2019-2022.
Kui’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Journalism from the University of Massachusetts, USA, located in Amherst.
Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Vodacom Heroes Award (2021) for her role in Safaricom’s Ethiopian operation, the Africa Excellence Award (2018) for Wikipedia’s Nigeria campaign, the Global PR Week Award (2012) for Change Management communications, the IBM Seanchi Award (2012) for her work on a Chinese communications campaign, and the Diageo Business Media Award (2008) for her article on Kenya’s techpreneurs. Recognised among the Top 25 Women in Digital (2019), as a Top Woman in PR (2023) by the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), and among the Top 25 Most Impactful Women in Corporate Communications by Business Monthly EA (2024), Kui’s impact continues to resonate across industries.
Kui Kinyanjui epitomises excellence in corporate communications, embodying a commitment to innovation, strategic foresight, and impactful leadership that transcends boundaries and inspires change on a global scale.
