John Gachora, who is the current NCBA Bank Group Managing Director and CEO, is a renowned and well-respected name in the banking and financial sectors in Kenya.
However, outside the banking halls and boardrooms lies an inspiring story of leadership, ambition, resilience and integrity tracing back to his humble beginnings in a Kenyan village.
Referring to himself as a “village boy,” Gachora carries with him tales of a fascinating journey from the dusty paths of Lari to the helm of East Africa’s financial powerhouse.
Here are 20 key things you probably didn’t know about GMD John Gachora:
1. He grew up in rural Kiambu
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John Gachora was brought up in the picturesque Kamahindu village in Lari, Kiambu County, a region that was then well known for large coffee farms and other agricultural activities.
He credits the village and his parents for instilling in him the discipline, community-oriented approach and other key values he has applied successfully to his personal life and career.
2. He was educated in local public schools in Lari
Before accessing the global elite academic institutions and financial hubs, Gachora started his learning at Kamahindu Primary School, a public school that shaped his analytical skills.
3. He went to the Alliance School
His academic prowess at Kamahindu Primary School secured him an admission to the Alliance School, which remains one of the most prestigious high schools Kenya has.
This experience exposed him to a culture of networks and excellence that outlined his career path then he dropped out before his A-Levels after attending an exchange program at Brooks School in the US.
4. He studied engineering at MIT
Propelled by his big global ambitions, he applied and was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
The experience he went through at MIT marked a very significant moment for his domineering dreams and paved the way for his access to the global financial world.
5. He holds an MBA from Wharton School
Still hungry for education after his technical degree, he pursued an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, among the top global business schools.
This strategic move would be the beginning of Gachora’s journey into high-level banking.
6. He launched his career and worked on Wall Street for 13 years
Before he made the decision to come back to Kenya and Africa, he spent more than 13 years in the US where he plied his inaugural trade at the Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse.
Among his roles was risk management, complex financial modeling as well as mergers and acquisitions giving him global exposure and solidified his reputation as a financial strategist.
7. He held a senior position at Barclays Africa
On returning home to Africa, Gachora joined Barclays Africa (before it later rebranded to Absa Group) as the Head of Corporate and Investment Banking.
The bank leaned on his strategic financial acumen to strengthen its footprint across Africa.
8. He played a key role in the merger between NIC and CBA
One of his most significant career achievements is administering the momentous merger between Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) and NIC Bank to bring forth NCBA Group.
This was undoubtedly one of the biggest mergers the financial sector in Kenya and called for careful negotiation, alignment with stakeholders, and well-coordinated cultural integration.
9. He steers one of Kenya’s most profitable financial institutions
He has steered NCBA Group to aggressive profitability, innovation, and customer base growth posting Sh21.9 billion in net profit for FY 2024, up from 21.5 billion in FY 2023.
The exponential growth in the different financial parameters under his leadership is backed by an exemplary regional presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast.
10. He is an advocate for ethical leadership
Gachora is renowned for his integrity and zero-tolerance to corruption and advocates for ethical banking, transparent corporate governance, and customer-first principles in NCBA.
11. He is a devoted husband and father
When he is not in the boardroom spearheading transformation, Gachora is a family man. He has often narrated how he balances his career demands with responsibilities as a devoted husband and father.
The NCBA boss credits most of his career success to his supportive wife and children.
12. He is a proponent of mentorship
Gachora has always been very vocal in pushing for mentorship and actively supports initiatives that grow young talent, specifically in the finance and technology sectors.
At NCBA Group, he has been at the forefront in advocating for internal leadership initiatives among them the Go-Getter Program and pushes for gender balance and youth leadership.
13. He heavily invests in digital innovation and technology
Through his steady hands, NCBA Group has risen over the years to become a sector leader in digital banking solutions, particularly through partnerships like M-Shwari and Loop.
He believes that technology is not a department, but a core enabler of business and this mindset has enabled him to set the financial institution apart from the rest in the sector.
14. He is passionate about financial inclusion
Gachora has played a very key role in expanding access to financial services by underserved populations through mobile and agency banking as part of his vision to democratize finance.
15. He is a proponent for long-term investments
He advocates for conservative but strategic investment favoring long-term value creation and thoughtful, data-driven decision-making whether in real estate, equities, or banking products.
16. He loves golf and other outdoors activities
Away from his demanding schedule, he still finds time to play golf, take nature walks, and travel as the leisure activities that help him decompress and network informally with peers.
This has seen him support the NCBA Golf Series, launched in 2021, and continues to back the growth of golf and golfers with the 2025 series attracting a sponsorship of Sh60 million.
17. He is a believer in philanthropy
He embraces philanthropy in his personal and professional lives and supports regional education, environmental conservation, and community development via NCBA Foundation.
18. He believes strongly in Pan-Africanism
He campaigns for regional integration and cross-border trade to push African banks to play a greater role in building economic independence and infrastructure resilience in Africa.
19. He is passionate about tech and finance
Gachora’s background in both engineering and finance gives him an upper hand to join and strategize with NCBA tech and finance teams to bridge the gap between IT and business.
20. He is best suited to steer NCBA Group into a new era of growth
Looking forward, Gachora envisions NCBA transforming into a “platform bank” to offer more than just financial services, but to also become a lifestyle partner for its customers.
The “village boy” is now charting a legacy of Pan-Africanism with NCBA Group now embarking on ambitious plans in digital banking, green finance, and regional expansion.
Closing Remarks
Gachora’s life is the story of ambition, discipline, education, and integrity in leadership that has seen him rise from a village boy in Lari to the helm of banking leadership in East Africa.
For young professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the larger business community, this offers inspiration and a career blueprint in confidence, strategic vision, and stanch values.
In the current world where corporate leadership is increasingly being called into question, he stands out for what he has achieved and for the resilience with which he has done it.
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