Dr. Mary E. Okelo

Founder Makini Group of Schools & Founder KWFT

Dr. Mary Okelo is a Retired banker, educationist, entrepreneur and gender rights crusader with vast and diverse
experience in local and international finance, micro-enterprise, and international service in the public, private and NGO
sectors.

She was the first Woman Bank Manager in Kenya. She started Barclays Bank Women’s Association to mentor and
support women to attain managerial positions and encouraged them to sensitize other women on banking policies. In
1982, Dr. Mary Okelo Founded and became the First Chairman of Kenya Women’s Finance Trust, the largest
micro-finance organization in Kenya.

As the first Women’s World Banking African Regional Representative in Nairobi, she was instrumental in establishing
affiliates in 6 other African countries. These helped women access banking facilities and credit. As Senior Advisor to the
President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Mary Okelo was instrumental in the formulation of the women in
development policy for the Bank. She also lobbied for the appointment of women to senior positions at the Bank.

Together with her late husband, Dr. Okelo, Mary started Makini Group of Schools.

Mrs Okelo herself has also won very many awards among them the MBS (Moran of the Order of Burning Spear) for her
contribution to education in the country as well as being appointed Millennium Ambassador for Teachers without
Borders.

In 2017, she was recognised as one of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government and Titans:
Building Nations Awards - Lifetime Achievers Award East Africa Region.

Dr. Mary Okelo graduated from Makerere with an Honours degree in History. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in
Early Childhood Education from Froebel College in Dublin, She has a Diploma from the Institute of Bankers, in London
and is a Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Bankers. She holds 2 honorary Doctorates one for her contribution to humanity,
the other for distinguished service to the community.