Balala appoints new CEO for tourism agency

Jonah Orumoi. He has been appointed to the helm of the Tourism Finance Corporation in an acting capacity. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

MOMBASA: Jonah T Orumoi has been appointed as acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC).

He replaces Marianne Ndegwa, who has completed her two-term tenure as head of the organisation.

While announcing the new appointment last Friday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala thanked Ms Ndegwa for the diligent service she had offered the Government during six-year tenure.

Balala said Mr Orumoi, will remain in an acting capacity until a competitive recruitment exercise is conducted by the board.

TFC is mandated, under the Tourism ministry, to facilitate and provide affordable development funding and advisory services for long-term investment in Kenya's tourism industry.

The agency provides funding through loans and business advisory services to prospective investors. 

Orumoi welcomed his appointment and promised to do his best.

"It is an absolutely good opportunity for me to serve my country. Minister Balala is an excellent worker and under him I shall strive to ensure that TFC is accessible to all stakeholders who require money," Orumoi, who previously worked as Kenya Tourism Board Head of Finance and ICT, said.

He added that he was delighted to join TFC at a time when Kenya's tourism industry is recovering.

"We have the task of ensuring that our efforts as key institutions that support tourism fully back the recovery efforts in a bid to increase bed capacity as well as attract local, regional and international tourists into our country," he said.

Orumoi previously worked as Finance & Leasing Contracts manager at G4S Kenya, Acting Head of Procurement at G4S Kenya, Nairobi, and as a Senior Principal Finance Officer, Thurrock Council, UK.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Finance and Investment from Queen Mary university of London and a BA (Accounting & Finance) from East London University, UK.