Jacqueline Karasha to Succeed Patrick Tumbo as Sanlam Allianz Holdings CEO
Jacqueline Karasha. [Photo/Sanlam Allianz]
Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) Plc has appointed Jacqueline Karasha as its Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Dr Nyamemba Patrick Tumbo, who is retiring after more than eight years at the helm of the insurance group.
In a public announcement dated October 15, 2026, the board said Karasha’s appointment will take effect on November 1, 2026, while Tumbo’s retirement takes effect on October 31, 2026.
Karasha currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer of Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance (Kenya) Limited, where she has been involved in reforms aimed at accelerating growth, strengthening the company’s position in the life insurance market and increasing shareholder value.
She has more than 17 years of experience in the insurance industry, spanning leadership, sales and operations in life insurance.
At Sanlam Allianz, Karasha has led efforts to improve distribution channels, expand digital capabilities and build strategic partnerships to support the business’s long-term sustainability.
She holds a First Class Honours degree in Actuarial Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and is a graduate of Stellenbosch Business School’s Senior Leadership Development Programme.
She is also a Fellow of the Life Management Institute, an Associate Member of the Insurance Institute of Kenya and holds an Underwriting Skills Certificate from Hannover Re.
Tumbo retires after eight years
Tumbo was appointed Group CEO on August 6, 2018, and has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry.
During his tenure, he served on the Leadership Council of SanlamAllianz Africa and held leadership roles across the wider insurance sector.
He is a former chairperson of the Organisation of Eastern and Southern African Insurers (OESAI) and the Association of Kenya Insurers. He also serves as chairman and trustee of the Insurance Training and Education Trust of Kenya, which operates the College of Insurance.
Tumbo has previously served on the boards of the Federation of Kenya Employers and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.
His industry recognition includes being named Africa Insurance CEO of the Year by the African Insurance Organisation, Insurance CEO of the Year at the COYA/BIMA awards and Gender Champion of the Year by the International Labour Organization and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs.
He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Think Business Awards and holds the presidential commendation of Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS).
Tumbo holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA in Strategic Management and is a Chartered Insurer and Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London.
The board thanked Tumbo for his service and contribution to the group, wishing him well in his retirement.
The announcement was issued by Group Company Secretary Emma Wachira with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority under the Capital Markets (Public Offers, Listings and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023.
