Dr James Mworia Appointed Founding CEO of National Infrastructure Fund

The National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) has appointed Dr James Mworia as its founding Chief Executive Officer, marking a major step toward operationalising the Sh5 trillion infrastructure financing vehicle.

The appointment, announced on Monday, September 7, follows a competitive recruitment process and takes effect immediately, according to a notice from the NIF Board.

A Visionary Leader for a Transformative Fund

“The Board of the National Infrastructure Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr James Mworia, MBS, as founding Chief Executive Officer, following a competitive recruitment process with effect from 7 September 2026,” the board stated.

Mworia brings over 25 years of experience in investment management, enterprise development and capital allocation. He previously served as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Centum Investment Company Plc for 17 years, operating at principal-investment level since 2005.

The board expressed confidence that Mworia’s track record would be instrumental in delivering the fund’s ambitious mandate.

“The Board is confident that Dr Mworia’s record of building institutions and enterprises, mobilising capital and bringing investments to market will enable NIF to deliver critical infrastructure, deepen Kenya’s capital markets, raise productivity and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness,” it said.

What Is the National Infrastructure Fund?

The NIF is a corporate institution established in March 2026 to finance large-scale public infrastructure by combining government seed capital with private sector investments.

The fund targets mobilising and investing up to Sh5 trillion to accelerate infrastructure development across Kenya.

Under the blended-finance model, the government aims to attract up to Sh10 from private partners for every shilling it commits. This approach is expected to reduce the government’s reliance on conventional borrowing and taxation, easing pressure on public debt.

Key Features of the NIF:

• Seed Capital: Initial funding from proceeds generated through the sale of government shares in state-owned enterprises and privatisation initiatives.
• Private Investment: Additional financing from pension funds, international financial institutions and other private investors.
• Blended Finance: Every government shilling aims to attract up to Sh10 from private sector partners.

A Stellar Academic and Professional Profile

Mworia holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is also a:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
• CFA charterholder

He is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the CFA Institute.

Appointment Follows Board Role

Mworia’s appointment as CEO comes just two months after he was named to the NIF Board. On July 8, 2026, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi appointed Mworia to the board alongside five other members.

Why This Matters

The appointment comes as the government seeks alternative mechanisms for financing infrastructure projects amid mounting pressure to contain public debt and reduce reliance on borrowing.

By leveraging public resources to attract private capital, the NIF aims to:

• ✅ Accelerate infrastructure development
• ✅ Deepen Kenya’s capital markets
• ✅ Raise productivity
• ✅ Strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness
• ✅ Reduce reliance on conventional borrowing and taxation

Key Takeaways