Dr. Susan Koech on course to become Deputy CBK governor

Dr. Susan Koech is one step away from becoming Kenya's second Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Koech presented her papers and defended her track record before a joint sitting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget and the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Finance and Budget.

After beating ten candidates who had been shortlisted for the position of deputy governor CBK, Dr. Koech asserts why she is the lady for the job.

"My education background when I look at my career, I see that I am well prepared for the job that I am being vetted for," said Koech.

Koech who is a career banker holds a doctorate degree from Moi University. With a net worth of Ksh.370 million, Koech has served in various capacities in both public and private sectors.

She was the regional head Nairobi at KCB Group before joining the government. She served as Principal Secretary in the Ministries of Tourism and East African Community EAC, before her nomination to the CBK deputy governor's post.

If approved, Koech says she will prioritise three pressing matters.

"My vision is to see cost of credit coming down…number two, my other vision is to see a functional vibrant interbank forex market; Number three, is to see more mergers and acquisitions," she said.

"In order for us to manage frauds in the banking sector, when a bank is coming up with a new product, before approval of any bank product, all the risk parameters need to be looked at."

But Koech's image was tainted when she was charged with corruption alongside others in the Ksh.63 billion Arror and Kimwarer Dam scandal. She was later turned into a State witness.

"To what extent does your personal work experience reflect these principles of trust as it relates to the leadership and integrity act?" Senator Ali Roba, the  Co-Chair of the Senate Finance and Budget Committee posed.

"My character is always consistent and actually is part of the definition of word integrity, headwork, honesty and respect," said Koech in response.

Her vetting comes just months before the expected exit of both the current CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge and his deputy Sheila Mbijiwe whose terms expire in June this year.

Koech's nomination and appointment will fill a gap that has existed since 2015 when a law was passed to have the leadership of the CBK comprise one governor and two deputies.