Esther Koimett
Esther Koimett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 Kenya |
| Occupation | Government official |
| Years active | Over 25 years |
| Known for | Investment promotion, banking, privatization, public enterprises, policy formulation |
Esther Koimett is a seasoned Kenyan government official specializing in investment promotion, banking, privatization, public enterprises, and policy formulation. Since January 2020, she has been the Principal Secretary at the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication within the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, an appointment made by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Prior to this role, starting from August 2018, she served as the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Transport.
Her previous roles include Director General of Public Investment and Portfolio Management at the National Treasury and Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Post Office Savings Bank. Koimett has significantly influenced Kenya’s commercial framework by advocating for policies like revising the National ICT Policy Guidelines to enhance Business Process Outsourcing expansion and drafting the Privatization Bill that was enacted in 2005.
Background and education
Esther Koimett was born in Kenya around 1967 and is the eldest child of the late Moi-era politician Nicholas Biwott. She earned both a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi.
Work experience
With a public service career spanning more than 25 years, Koimett has held key positions such as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Information and managing director of Kenya Post Office Savings Bank. For nearly two decades, her focus has been on investment promotion, reforming public enterprises, and privatization efforts. She directed the divestment processes for various state-owned companies through strategic investor engagements or initial public offerings on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Some major privatizations under her leadership include Kenya Reinsurance Corporation, Tourism Promotion Services, Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Airways, Kenya Commercial Bank Group, Housing Finance Group of Kenya, Mumias Sugar Company Limited, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, and Safaricom.
In her capacity as Principal Secretary for the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, she manages several State Corporations such as:
- Competition Authority of Kenya
- Postal Corporation of Kenya
- Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
- Media Council of Kenya
- Kenya Film Classification Board
- Kenya Film Commission
- Kenya Institute of Mass Communications
- Kenya Year Book Board
During her tenure as Principal Secretary for Transport, she oversaw entities including Kenya Airways and other State Corporations like:
- Kenya Ports Authority
- Kenya Railways Corporation
- LAPSSET Corridor
- Kenya Airports Authority
- Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
- Kenya Ferry Services
Other considerations
Koimett’s board memberships have included organizations such as Kenya Railways Corporation, Telkom Kenya, Mumias Sugar Company Limited, Nairobi Stock Exchange, Safaricom, and The African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI).
Family
She is married and has four children.