Dr. Leonard Thuo Mwithiga is a former bank director who has over 20 years of experience in the information technology and banking sectors.
He is currently facing serious charges in the US for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill his wife.
This comprehensive biography aims to explore Dr. Mwithiga’s life and career, providing a deeper understanding of the man behind the headlines.
Early Life and Education (1970s-1995)
Born in Kenya in the 1970s, details about Dr. Mwithiga’s early life remain relatively obscure, but his academic achievements are well documented.
He demonstrated an early aptitude for science and mathematics, leading him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics from Egerton University in the early 1990s.
Driven by his interest in technology, he furthered his education with a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Nairobi between 1999 and 2002.
Always seeking to expand his knowledge and refine his skills, Dr. Mwithiga enrolled in the Executive Management Program at GIBS Business School between 2009 and 2010.
He capped his educational journey with a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi between 2013 and 2017, specializing in Strategic Information Systems and the Banking Industry.
This extensive academic background provided him with a strong foundation for success in the technology and finance sectors.
Career (1995-2023)
Dr. Mwithiga’s career began at Kenya Airways as a Systems Support Specialist in the mid-1990s.
His expertise in technology quickly caught the attention of Shell, where he served as an IT Services Manager from approximately 1997 to 2003.
His passion for innovation and desire to make a significant impact led him to the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation/NSE, where he held the position of Head of Information Technology between 2003 and 2006.
During this time, he implemented strategic changes and modernized the organization’s IT infrastructure.
In 2006, Dr. Mwithiga joined Barclays Africa Group Limited as Head of Change and Performance.
He played a pivotal role in driving strategic and complex transformations across the bank’s consumer and corporate banking operations.
His success paved the way for his appointment as General Manager of Group Shared Services at Equity Bank Limited in 2013.
Here, he oversaw a wide range of operations and IT functions for subsidiaries across East Africa.
Dr. Mwithiga continued his impactful journey in the banking sector with stints at SBM Bank Kenya and Chase Bank Kenya, where he served as Director of Service Delivery and IT, shaping their technology landscapes and improving customer service.
Since 2021, Dr. Mwithiga has served as Group Shared Services Director at KCB Bank Group, overseeing the group’s banking operations, customer experience, and supply chain strategy across its subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and its support services for KCB Capital, KCB Insurance Agency, and KCB Foundation.
Leadership and Recognition
Dr. Mwithiga’s leadership and dedication to innovation have been recognized throughout his career.
He received numerous accolades, including the following:
- 2019 Winner: Innovation in Banking at the African Banker Awards
- 2019 Winner: Regional Bank of the Year, East Africa at the African Banker Awards
- Best Digital Transformation in Online Banking from Global Business Outlook
- Gold Award for Best Digital Strategy from International Customer Experience
Leonard Thuo Mwithiga’s Wife
Dr. Mwithiga’s arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have sparked public interest, particularly surrounding allegations related to his family.
Despite the vast amount of information available about his professional life, details about his personal life, including his wife, remain largely private.
If any information regarding Dr. Mwithiga’s wife becomes publicly available through legal proceedings or official statements, this article will be updated accordingly.
Leonard Thuo Mwithiga Family
Finding detailed information about Mwithiga’s family has proven difficult due to limited media coverage as he has consistently maintained a private life outside of his professional pursuits.
This article will be updated accordingly should any information become publicly available through legal proceedings, official statements, or other reliable sources.
Leonard Thuo Mwithiga Children
Obtaining in-depth information about Mwithiga’s children presents a similar challenge, attributed to the limited media coverage and his intentional efforts to safeguard the privacy of his family amidst his professional commitments.
This article will be revisited and revised accordingly should any information regarding his children become accessible through legal proceedings, official statements, or other credible sources.
Leonard Thuo Mwithiga Arrest
Dr. Mwithiga was arrested on Monday, December 4, following a confidential informant’s report.
The informant revealed that Mwithiga sought assistance in finding a hitman to harm one of his family members, as detailed in court documents.
Authorities disclosed that Mwithiga had been soliciting help from another person to connect him with a hitman, making multiple requests between September 9 and December.
Court documents outlined conversations where Mwithiga explicitly expressed his intent to cause harm to the family member.
Apparently this is the former KCB NBK shared services director?! (h/t @kriskimani). pic.twitter.com/JBFVeKHiBa
— Mithrandir (@mrwainaina_) December 6, 2023
On December 1, he allegedly suggested injecting the woman with something to induce sickness, such as cancer.
An undercover state trooper posed as the “hitman,” tasked with taking the victim on a date and drugging her.
Leonard Thuo Mwithiga Trial
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Mwithiga, undergoing divorce proceedings, had come from Kenya to Connecticut to secure custody of his two children.
A state prosecutor emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Mwithiga posed a serious threat to both his wife and children.
Mwithiga faces charges including criminal attempt/intimidation of a witness, conspiracy to commit murder, and criminal attempt, murder with special circumstances.
His wife and children had allegedly left Kenya due to reported abuse.
In court, Mwithiga mentioned paying $4,000 for someone to kill his wife, expressing his intention to “fight evil with evil”.
The judge upheld his $5 million bond, citing him as an “extreme flight risk”.
If Mwithiga posts bond, conditions include surrendering his passport, GPS monitoring, house arrest, and a protective order.
His next court appearance is scheduled for January 26.
Conclusion
Dr. Leonard Thuo Mwithiga, a former bank director with a robust background in information technology and banking, faces a distressing turn in his life and career with recent arrest and charges.
This biography covers his academic and professional achievements, but it’s crucial to highlight the serious legal allegations, including an attempt to hire a hitman to harm his wife.
The ongoing legal proceedings expose a complex situation, with Dr. Mwithiga charged with conspiracy to commit murder and witness intimidation.
The gravity of these accusations, coupled with potential threats to his family, as revealed in court, adds a somber dimension to his story.
Despite his success in the banking sector, details about Dr. Mwithiga’s private life, especially his wife and children, remain intentionally private.
As the legal process unfolds, this biography will be updated to provide a comprehensive perspective on Dr. Leonard Thuo Mwithiga, encompassing his family, education, career, and the current trial status.
