After a year-long wait for a Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua finally appointed James Mbugua Mwaura to take over the reins at Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi's Central Business District.
During the appointment, Mutua announced that Mbugua's knowledge in tourism was paramount to propelling the landmark building to greater heights. KICC has been ranked numerous times as a destination of choice for conferencing.
"His extensive knowledge of conference tourism also known as Meetings, Incentives Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) matters will enable him to lead the corporation in enhancing its competitiveness," read the statement in part.
"KICC is the largest convention Center in Eastern Africa with the capacity to hold over 10,000 delegates."
Until his appointment, however, Mbugua had largely stayed out of the public limelight despite serving at the 32-floor tower for a while now.
According to records, the new CEO served as the corporate services director at the corporation and had amassed 19 years of experience in his career thus far.
"I am a Corporate Services professional trained in the areas of, Finance, Accounting, Banking, Administration, Legal & Corporate Secretarial services. Besides competency-based training, I ‘am trained in, Strategic leadership, Senior management, Public Procurement, and Project Management," Mwaura describes his achievements.
"The vast record of training is complemented by a record of success in Financial Management, Accounting, General administration and management, Banking, Human Resource Management and Project management, gained over the last 19 years from both private and public sectors."
After graduating, the CEO kicked off his career as a clerk at Equity Bank where he served for six months before transitioning to the Postal Corporation of Kenya as a cash accountant for five years.
He later worked as the general manager of corporate services at Pest Control Products Board between 2010 and 2022 from where he ascended to the position of director of corporate services at KICC.
"I have appeared before the Public Investment Committee of Parliament (PIC) to present the Financial Statements of the Pest Control Products Board for the last 17 years since financial year 2001/2002 to the year 2017 /2018 achieving a clean record of accountability for public funds as assessed by parliament with unqualified Audit Opinion for the 3 years up to the year 2017/2018," he added.
In 2019, Mwaura enrolled at the University of Nairobi from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), second class upper division in 2023.
His experience in public service also includes a stint as a member of the Audit Committee for the Presidency, which includes the State House, Cabinet Affairs Office, and Office of the Deputy President.
James Mbugua takes over the position from former President Uhuru Kenyatta's niece, Nana Gecaga.
President William Ruto has proposed for the tower to be privatised.
