In a strategic move signaling confidence in the bank’s trajectory, Dr. Gideon Muriuki, Group Managing Director & CEO of Co‑operative Bank of Kenya, quietly acquired 12 million additional shares in the lender, spending approximately KSh 202.8 million between January and May 2025.
The acquisition raised Dr. Muriuki’s stake to 2.19%, up from 2% at the end of 2024, solidifying his position as the largest individual shareholder in the bank .
His total holdings now stand at an estimated 129.53 million shares .
Purchased quietly at an estimated average price of KSh 17 per share, the move marks Dr. Muriuki’s first shareholding increase since early 2023, when he bought 14.6 million shares to lift his stake from 1.75% to 2%.
Market analysts interpret the move as a strong signal of Dr. Muriuki’s belief in Co‑op Bank’s fundamentals. “When a CEO invests personal funds into company stock, it reflects deep conviction,” noted one Nairobi-based analyst .
The broader banking sector has shown signs of improved performance: Co‑op Bank posted a 5.3% year-on-year rise in net earnings for the first quarter of 2025, driven by a 21.7% boost in net interest income and an 8.3% expansion in its asset base.
Nevertheless, some stakeholders have voiced concerns about increasing ownership concentration, questioning long-term governance and succession planning at the institution.
Nonetheless, Dr. Muriuki’s move—timed amidst a rising stock price and expanding sector profits—underscores his alignment with shareholders and reinforces his leadership at a pivotal time for Kenyan banking.
