CPF Financial Services clinched the top honour at this year’s Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) Employer of the Year Awards (EYA), recognised for putting people at the heart of its purpose and championing a culture of trust, inclusion, and continuous learning.
The first runner-up prize went to Coca-Cola Beverages, while Kabarak University took home the second runner-up trophy in the competition, now in its fifth edition.
A total of 85 companies registered for this year’s awards, a slight dip from 2023 as some organisations took a strategic pause to reflect.
FKE hosts annual gala to award best employers in Kenya
Of these, 51 went on to complete the rigorous evaluation process, among them 31 large organisations and 12 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Employer of the Year Awards seeks to recognise organisations that view people as their core business and have implemented policies, systems, and processes that sustain enterprise competitiveness, productivity, and industrial harmony.
Nation Media Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo (left) presents a trophy to KenGen's Assistant Human Resources Manager Sally Karau after they emerged second runners up in the Leadership and Governance category during the Employer of the Year Awards ceremony at Radission Blu Hotel in Nairobi on November 07, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
“The best employers are those that reskill their employees, treating learning as a daily habit rather than a one-off intervention,” said Britam Holdings Plc CEO Tom Gitogo during the award ceremony at Radisson Blu, where he was the chief guest.
He noted over 75 per cent of Kenya’s population is under 35 years, which is an extraordinary human capital advantage for employers, but also a profound responsibility.
Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) Executive Director and CEO Jacqueline Mugo presents a trophy Coca Cola Beverages Africa-Kenya Country Lead- Talent and Development Gertrude Obinchu during the Employer of the Year Awards ceremony at Radission Blu Hotel in Nairobi on November 07, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Winners were announced across eight competitive categories, each highlighting excellence in different aspects of people management and organisational performance.
“This event highlights FKE’s unwavering commitment to advancing practices and supporting members to move from being good to great employers,” said FKE chief executive Jacqueline Mugo.
Britam Holdings Plc Group Managing Director and CEO Tom Gitogo (second left) presents a trophy to Kabarak University Vice Chancellor Prof Henry K. Kiplangat (second right) after they won in the Leadership and Governance category during the Employer of the Year Awards ceremony at Radission Blu Hotel in Nairobi on November 07, 2025. With them is Nation Media Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo (right), FKE Executive Director and CEO Jacqueline Mugo and Dr Edwin Akumu from Kabarak University.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
She noted employers are always under pressure not to release people from jobs, and for that to happen, they need a conducive business environment where enterprises can grow and create more jobs.
“This award goes beyond recognition; it encourages employers to adopt global best practices and principles to create wealth and leave a lasting impact on society,” she said.
Inclusiveness and diversity
FKE National President Gilda Odera urged more organisations to take part in the process, emphasising that the experience itself is transformative.
Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) Regional President Coast Region Dr David Kisa (left) presents the first runners up trophy in the Innovation and Productivity Category to Ann Karanu (second left) of Jubilee Holdings Limited during the Employer of the Year Awards ceremony at Radission Blu Hotel in Nairobi on November 07, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
In the area of Innovation and Productivity, Samasource EPZ Kenya emerged top, and Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya was recognised for Responsible Business Conduct.
CPF Financial Services excelled in Inclusiveness and Diversity, demonstrating its strong commitment to equity and employee engagement, a performance that also earned it the coveted overall winner title.
Sigma Healthcare was celebrated for creating an exceptional Workplace Environment, Kenya Reinsurance Corporation was recognised for excellence in Learning and Development, and English Press Ltd took top honours for Effective Human Resource Practices and Industrial Relations.
According to Pauline Achayo, Head of Customized Intelligence, East Africa at NielsenIQ, the firm that conducted the evaluation, hotly contested categories were Leadership and Governance, Workplace Environment, and Corporate Performance.
Winners in the Employer of the Year Awards in a group photo during the ceremony at Radission Blu Hotel in Nairobi on November 07, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
First runner-up honours in the various categories went to Absa, WWF, Jubilee Insurance, Old Mutual, VSO International, Air Flow, Strathmore University, and Kenya Seed Company.
Second runner-up awards were presented to Kengen, Liberty Life Health Insurance, Mombasa DT Post Sacco, Williams Holding, Boma Hospital, AAR Insurance, Haco Industries, and Tropical Heat Limited.
In the special awards under the large corporate category, winners were Laizer Insurance and the NSSF, while for the SME category, honours went to DHL Global Forwarding, VSO International, and Fracht Group.
