British American Tobacco Kenya - Rita Kavashe

Nationality: Kenyan
Age: 60

Position: 
Independent Non-Executive Chairperson since September 2020. Non- Executive Director since July 2020. Chairperson of the Board Nominations & Governance Committee and member of the Anti-Illicit Trade Sub-Committee.

Leadership and experience:
Rita is a highly respected business leader with extensive experience in strategic leadership, market development and corporate governance. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board and Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa Limited (formerly General Motors East Africa), the largest motor vehicle assembler in East Africa. She joined General Motors in 1995 and held various senior leadership roles in Sales and Marketing, both in Kenya and South Africa, playing a key role in strengthening the company’s regional market presence and commercial performance and notably leading the successful transition from General Motors to Isuzu East Africa, in 2017. Through her leadership across multinational environments, she has built strong expertise in organisational leadership, commercial strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Academic and Professional Background:
Rita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Moi University, Eldoret and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi. She is also an Executive Coach certified by the Academy of Executive Coaches (AOEC) UK.

Recognition:
In 2017, in recognition of her contribution to business leadership and national development, Rita was awarded a state honour, of the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by the Head of State.

Distinct Board Expertise:
Rita brings deep expertise in board leadership, governance stewardship and strategic oversight. As Chairperson, she provides strong leadership of the Board’s governance agenda, fostering constructive debate, independent oversight and effective decision-making.

Her extensive executive leadership experience in multinational organisations enables her to guide the Board in shaping longterm strategy, strengthening stakeholder relationships and supporting sustainable business growth. She also brings valuable insight into market expansion, organisational leadership and performance management across complex operating environments.

Key Appointments:

• Director - BAT Kenya Tobacco Company Limited
• Chair of the Board and Managing Director - Isuzu East Africa Limited
• Independent Non-Executive Director - Safaricom PLC
• Independent Non-Executive Director - Bamburi Cement Plc (Lafarge Group)
• Member of the Advisory Council - Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
• Advisory Board Member - Palmhouse Foundation
• Trustee - University of Eldoret Endowment Trust