Kemei faces MPs for vetting for Competition Authority of Kenya Director General post

David Kibet Kemei, former chairman of Kenya Re and a veteran financial expert, is set to face MPs on Tuesday for vetting as the next Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).

Kemei was nominated for the position by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi last month, during Mudavadi's stint as Acting National Treasury Cabinet Secretary.

Kemei will appear before a joint committee of the National Assembly's Finance and National Planning and the Senate's Finance and Budget Committees.

The panel will assess his qualifications and suitability for leading the CAK, an institution tasked with promoting fair competition in the marketplace and protecting consumers from unethical business practices.

"The general public is hereby notified that the committee shall hold an approval hearing for the said nominee on Tuesday, 17, 2024," a notice by the clerks of both houses of Parliament stated, in accordance with section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011.

If confirmed by Parliament, Kemei will succeed Adano Rioba, who has served as the acting Director-General since last year. Kemei is a highly experienced professional, boasting a 33-year career spanning multiple industries.

Kemei will be responsible for enforcing CAK's mandate, which includes investigating barriers to competition and advising the government on competition and consumer welfare matters.

He will also oversee the protection of consumers from unfair and misleading market practices.

According to the CAK's website, "The Authority's mandate is to enforce the Act to enhance the welfare of the people of Kenya by promoting and protecting effective competition in markets and preventing misleading market conduct throughout Kenya."

Qualifications

Kemei holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi. His career journey began in 1990 when he joined the Kenya National Trading Corporation as a management trainee.

He has held various positions over the years, including a stint as an assistant lecturer at the University of Nairobi, and roles at Nation Media Group, Windsor Golf Hotels and Country Club, and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Kemei's academic contributions are also notable, having lectured at prominent institutions like Egerton University, Kabarak University, Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Mount Kenya University, Oshwal College, and KCA University.

His extensive experience spans regulatory, financial, tourism, devolution, academia, and corporate governance sectors, including over a decade in senior management.

During his time as chairman of Kenya Re (2014-2020), the reinsurance firm experienced substantial growth in both revenue and profitability.

His leadership was critical in fostering effective board performance and driving the firm's success.

In addition to his role at Kenya Re, Kemei has served as chairman of the audit committee at the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and as a board member at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

He is currently the managing director of DGMB Training Solutions Ltd, a consultancy firm.