MARGARET MUCHERU-KARURI

Independent Consultant and Social-Entrepreuneur , KENYA

NAIROBI, Kenya

Development and Financial Expert/Analyst with extensive work experience with a wide range of donor and development agencies in Africa and Afghanistan. Skilled in reviewing institutional capacity, formulating, designing and evaluating project implementation and impact. Experiences with diverse donor financing mechanisms including grants, loans, guarantees schemes and blended arrangements.

Contact MARGARET MUCHERU-KARURI
Area of Expertise:
  • Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

Development and Financial Expert/Analyst with extensive experience in working with a wide range of international donor and development agencies in Africa (East, West, Central and Southern Africa) and in Afghanistan. Experienced in formulating, designing, assessing, and evaluating a wide range of development projects in agricultural and rural development, financial sector (banking, rural, and microfinance), private sector and micro-small and medium enterprises (MSME) support and development projects; water and sanitation; livelihoods, and rural/smallholder farmers households support systems and many others. Experience in evaluating donor-funded projects and partnerships to determine aid effectiveness and "value for money", impact and sustainability of the outcomes. Including, advocating, for/and supporting both short and long term institutional and policy reforms, in addressing constraints that hinder greater social and economic engagement for the majority of the socially and economically disadvantaged, and people who directly face poverty (e.g financial exclusion of rural populations and the poor). Have worked with EU/EIB; USAID, IFAD, Sida etc in formulating innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms including grants, loans, guarantees schemes and blended arrangements that channel resources and build capacity of wide range of sectors actors including Banks, NGOs, MFIs, SACCOs, professional organizations, local authorities, government ministries. Has conducted strategic engagement in policy dialogues, reforms, and legislation that advocate pro-poor interventions e.g deepening access to financial services to poor households and the rural poor, and in mainstreaming vulnerable populations (women, youth, people living with HIV/Aids), formulating technical and capacity-building support, the environment, and poverty issues in development policies and strategies. My work as a financial expert has been to leverage the effect of these various funding sources, and dynamics that help bring all stakeholders including private sector businesses together for greater impact.

Education:

The University of Stirling in Scotland [U.K] 1990 to 1991 Masters in Business Administration [MBA] - Finance
The University of Nairobi – Kenya,1977 to 1980 Bachelor of Arts [ BA] Honours – Economics and Sociology
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Centre for Corporate Governance (CCG) Nairobi – Kenya – December 1-3, 2010 Certificate in Training of Trainers (TOT) Course in Corporate Governance
Commonwealth Association for Corporate Governance, Kenya May 2006 Certificate in Principles of Good Corporate Governance
IFC/World Bank, Nairobi, Kenya –2005 Certificate in Enhancing Management Consulting Skills Course
Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) –1999 Certificate in Investment Appraisal and Management (PIAM)
Booze. Allen & Hamilton –1997 Certificate - Managing Risk in Private Sector Project Development and Finance
Chase Bank, New York, & Melon Bank, Philadelphia (USA) - 1996 Certificated in Senior Management Credit Program
Japan Development Bank & African Development Institute - 1997 Certificate in Development Financing and Credit Analysis
National Westminster Bank (NATWEST) (U.K) 1990 International Finance, Markets and Trade

Kenya Commercial Bank Training School, 1982-1991 Credit Management, Operations, Management, Marketing of Financial Services, Corporate Finance and others.

Affiliations and Achievements:

• 2011 – Todate: MAWA Training Institute (2011): I established MAWA Institute out of concern for the large number of unskilled and unemployed youths in my country (Kenya). The youth in this country is estimated to constitute about 60% of the population of 40 million. My goal is to offer basic Information Technology (IT) skills in computer packages that can at least enable these young people find some work, or set up self-employment ventures in the IT field. In due course, I hope to also introduce courses in the development field which I am very well experienced in.
• 2010 – Todate: Member of the Management Committee (Interim Board) “GEMA Credit Association (GCA)”: Charged with the task of laying down the systems for the establishment of a Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) to serve the large GEMA community in Kenya. GEMA Community in Kenya with a population of 5 million people from the Central Kenya and Mt Kenya Regions. The SACCO is the first step towards the establishment of a National Commercial Bank for the community.
• 2009 -to-date: Trustee: Eagles Foundation: Established this foundation in 1998 to mobilize resources and other forms of support from local and international well-wishers to support the education and upkeep of children from poor and needy families.
• 2008-Todate: Director, Zindua African Safaris: I have enjoyed my travels as a development consultant across the African continent, Europe and the America’s. I believe Africa is a place of great beauty and splendor and can showcase to the world its rich cultures, wildlife and contrasting landscapes. Zindua (which means to explore/discover) African Safaris is my way of sharing with the rest of the world my continent. Zindua focuses on tourism that add value and impact to local communities through wildlife safaris, cultural safaris; adventure safaris; local-international students and professional exchange and attachment programs and a whole range of activities that showcase our rich cultures and heritage in Kenya and Africa at large.
• 2007-Todate: Director, “Eagles Harbor Investments’’ www.eaglesprimeproperties.com (being reconstructed) a Real Estate Enterprise exploring investment opportunities locally & internationally to address the big shortfall in low-medium income level housing within Nairobi and its environs.
• 2005 – Todate: Founder & Director “People Microcredit & Investment Bureau” [PEMCI] www.peoplefinance.com (under reconstruction). Driven by our motto of “Empowering the People” the initiative works to bring about a paradigm shift from dependency and hand-outs to empowerment and a hand-up, through improved access to efficient and sustainable Microfinance services. Until 2007/2008 post election violence in Kenya, the initiative had partnered with Kiva Micro funds (USA based NGO) to deliver credit/loans that change lives. Working with the initiative, has given me unparalleled insight, valuable experience and lessons on the implementation challenges faced when setting up and/or running a microfinance program that targets small - micro enterprises in the developing country such as Kenya.
• 2004 – Todate: Principal, Nimmo Consulting Services: “Financial Analyst and Development Finance Specialist” with a wealth of experience in Banking, Finance and Development Project work. Using my vast experience in development work, I provide as a free lance consultant, integrated development consulting support and services to international development institutions and agencies, donors, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations/agencies to promote sustainable development initiatives that improve peoples’ lives worldwide, more so, in Africa

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, French, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Luganda

Nationality:

Kenya

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