Duncan Ndegwa
Duncan Nderitu Ndegwa | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 11, 1925 Nyeri County, Kenya |
| Occupation(s) | Civil servant, Economist, Businessman |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Known for | Kenya's first Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet; longest-serving Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya |
| Notable work | Walking in Kenyatta Struggles: My Story (2006) |
Duncan Nderitu Ndegwa (born 11 March 1925) holds the distinction of being Kenya's inaugural Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet following independence. Additionally, he was the first African appointed as Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, a position he occupied for the longest tenure in the institution's history.
Early life
Originating from Nyeri County, Ndegwa received his education at Alliance High School, pursued further studies at Makerere University College in Uganda, and completed his academic journey at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Work
Starting his career in public administration in 1956, Ndegwa worked initially as an Economist and Statistician. By 1963, he had ascended to the roles of Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Head of the Public Service. He maintained these responsibilities until 1967 when he was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. During his civil service leadership, he was instrumental in advancing the Africanisation initiative, which sought to cultivate an indigenous African capitalist presence within industries and commerce sectors that were previously dominated by European and Asian interests. His governorship at the Central Bank extended until 1982.
In 1972, Jeremy Morse, who chaired the Committee of 20 tasked with proposing reforms for the IMF, invited Ndegwa to join as a deputy alongside other financial authorities; however, Ndegwa chose not to accept this invitation.
Business
Ndegwa ranked among the top ten shareholders in NIC Bank Group and held the position of Chairman at Mombasa Continental Resort.
Memoirs
In December 2006, he released his autobiography titled Walking in Kenyatta Struggles: My Story.
Later Life
During 2021, Ndegwa authored four publications. He also secured a legal victory against L.G Engineering Company over unauthorized entry and property damage. In recognition of his legacy as Kenya’s pioneering golfer, the Mombasa Golf Club organized a commemorative tournament in 2023.
Awards
- Recipient of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (EGH) Presidential Award