This blog post was written by Megan Henderson, our Communications & Events Manager.

Peterson Karanja, the CEO of Five Talents Kenya, announced his retirement at the end of last year. Peterson is one of the longest serving team members of Five Talents - his Bishop, Bishop Gideon, attended one of the very first savings group training conferences led by Chalmers and Five Talents around 20 years ago, and immediately appointed Peterson to begin the first savings groupin Thika, Kenya. Peterson pioneered the seven-step approach still used across the programmes today and taught us, and many others across the sector, the value of the savings-led approach over the credit-led approach to microfinance; he opened and lead the Five Talents Kenya office as programmes across Kenya grew; he supported several programmes through to graduation to become SACCOs; he developed partnerships with other development agencies for shared learning; and just before his retirement, helped secure a significant grant from USAID to extend the work in Kenya. He is an incredible figure, an inspiration to us all, and a cherished member of the team.

On announcing his retirement Peterson said:

“Huge thanks to you all for standing with me, and for your unequivocal support during my short ‘brief’ at the Five Talents Kenya.

You helped me to discover how true & meaningful development impacts on communities’ lives for longer and lasting change.

The desire to do more within this domain led us to turn and search many pages for answers. This was to discover what worked best within the implementation contexts. We therefore have become stewards in sustainable development, a title we can wear with honour and showcase on the great day of the Lord, for His commendable rewarding.

Firming up this zeal in the ‘calling’ is what translates to being faithful to the Master’s call & commissioning; Mathew 25:14-30.”

Peterson will be succeeded by Peter Mugendi, another long-time member of the Five Talents Kenya team. We know Peter will be great stepping into the CEO role in Kenya. He has worked closely with Peterson for a number of years. Together, they have shaped the role of Five Talents Kenya within the Five Talents family, and they have formed large ambitions for the growth of Five Talents Kenya. We look forward to seeing him build on Peterson’s foundations as he makes the role his own!

Peterson said, “What I look forward to more is spending quality time with my family. In equal measure, I look forward to learning and knowing more of what Five Talents will be doing and especially on discoveries in the new ‘frontiers’. This is what God commissioned for Five Talents and therefore it has to be achieved.”

After Peterson’s announcement the Archbishop of Canterbury penned him a letter and said, “You single-handedly pioneered an innovative model of Savings Groups in Kenya…I am made aware that over 20,000 people since 2011 have joined Five Talents’ Savings Groups in Kenya, collectively saving over £4.3 million and offering loans totalling £14.5 million. This has radically transformed the lives of more than 80,000 family members and had a huge impact in reducing poverty…As you retire, you will be remembered by the Church and the communities that you impacted and transformed through your work.”

We are so grateful to Peterson for contributing hugely to the mission of Five Talents. He is an honoured member of the Five Talents family, always.