Ashok Shah, Jennifer Riria and Manoj Shanker nominated for the Ernst & Young Eastern Africa Chapter of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards (EOYA)

Ernst & Young Eastern Africa Chapter of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards nominee; Ashok Shah. (Photo:Courtesy)

By WINSLEY MASESE

Nairobi, Kenya: Three Kenyans have been nominated to take part in the entrepreneurial spirit and best business practices awards dubbed the 2014 Ernst &Young Awards in Monaco, next Thursday. The nominees for the Ernst & Young Eastern Africa Chapter of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards (EOYA) include Ashok Shah (pictured), Jennifer Riria and Manoj Shanker.

The winner to be announced at a gala event to be held on March 27 will represent Eastern Africa at the global awards ceremony to be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Shah is the group chief executive at Apollo Investment Ltd (APA Insurance & Associates). It provides general and life insurance solutions for individuals, businesses and organisations in Kenya.

Riria is the group chief executive Kenya Women Holding Ltd and she is credited for spearheading key reforms in the micro finance space in the country and region and the nominations does not come at a better time. Shanker is the chief executive Techno Brain Ltd, one of the largest IT solutions and training provider in Sub-Saharan Africa — having executed 250 projects and producing Microsoft, Oracle and Linux professionals, as well as being a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

Abid Alam, group-managing director Alam Group Ltd, Uganda is the fourth nominee.

The three are nominated in the Master Category while in the Emerging Category, Jullian Nyamahunge Omalla from Delight Uganda Ltd, Kenyans Esther Muchemi from Samchi Group and Jyoti Mukherjee from Software Technologies Ltd are finalists.

In a statement, Ernst &Young Chief Executive Eastern Africa Gitahi Gachahi, said the finalists are a great illustration of the entrepreneurial wealth in East Africa.

“Their strength, vision and determination to re-shape the business environment in achieving economic growth should be celebrated,” said the Chief Executive, Ernst & Young Eastern Africa,” he noted.

The awards recognise businesspersons who exhibit the highest excellence in business acumen through innovative ideas through their company portfolio.

 Besides, their financial performance, strategic direction, community or global impact, innovation and personal integrity are highly appreciated and recognised. Equity Bank Group Chief Executive James Mwangi won the 2012 global title.