Title: Concert of Life: From the Lakeshore to the Boardroom
Author: Francis Okomo Okello
When Francis Okello graduated from the Kenya School of Law in 1975, just a year after earning his law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam, he already knew the path he wanted to take.
He would not pursue the traditional practice of law in the courts. Instead, he set his sights on the corporate world, a choice that went on to shape a distinguished legal career spanning half a century.
In essence, he progressed to become an astute boardroom player who served in top echelons of blue-chip companies in sectors ranging from banking, media and hospitality and cutting a name as an accomplished legal and corporate strategist.
Beyond the boardroom, Francis took on influence roles in the public sector, the academia and community.
Whereas law was his preferred career choice, with time, Francis broadened his expertise to encompass finance, economics and environment, giving meaning to the value of multidisciplinarity in knowledge.
Alongside this, he widened his circle of professional acquaintances and consistently and deeply engaged in stimulating intellectual conversations, earning recognition in many circles.
These are some of the highlights of the forthcoming memoir, Concert of Life: From the Lakeshore to the Boardroom, by renown industry captain Francis Akomo Okello. The book will be launched on Friday at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi.
Reading through the pages of the memoir, Francis’ life unfolds as a tapestry of loyalty, commitment, discipline, excellence, and unwavering integrity.
His loyalty, commitment, and resilience are reflected in a remarkable career spanning half century with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Beginning in 1975 as legal counsel at Diamond Trust Bank, he went on to serve at Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), Serena Group, and Nation Media, as well as Aga Khan University, where he played a pivotal advisory role that contributed, among others, to the establishment of the current Graduate School of Media and Communications. In all those years, he served with distinction and dedication.
Outside the AKDN family, Francis served for many years on the Barclays Bank board, an international banker, and was instrumental in its changeover to the present-day Absa.
Similarly, for years, he served, among other entities, as a member of the President’s Awards-Kenya, a charitable organisation whose goal was to coach and mentor young professionals and entrepreneurs, an opportunity that enabled him to work with the youth and help them shape their careers and business paths.
Ironically, when he got the appointment, some friends thought he would be involved in identifying individuals to get those presidential honours awarded during the national public holidays – and for which they could benefit.
But that was not the case, it was a totally different assignment but one that touched the depth of his heart – working with young people to harness their talent and directing them to the path of prosperity.
Francis also held various roles at the Kenya Institute of Bankers, Central Bank of Kenya Pension Fund, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Nairobi, Mobil Oil Kenya, Africa 2.0 Foundation and Strathmore University.
Granted, his five-decades’ journey in the industry and public life exposed him to diverse experiences and encounters – some trying while others edifying.
Some of the most distressing moments were during his long tenure on the Nation’s board. As East Africa’s leading news organisation, Nation severally found itself at loggerheads with the national governments for its bold coverage of issues, often perceived as opposition-leaning.
Consequently, Nation’s outlets have been shut down numerous times in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania throwing the company into a spin.
On several occasions, Francis, who for years chaired the Editorial Board Committee, had to shuttle between Nairobi, Kampala and Dar es Salaam, alongside fellow board members and management, to negotiate for the reopening of outlets.
During these missions, they were relentlessly castigated, harshly chided, and openly derided by overzealous government functionaries.
Yet, they had to shoulder the burden and endure the pain that came with leading East Africa’s most successful news organisation.
On a personal level, the memoir reveals Francis as a devoted family man, warm and at ease among his kith and kin. Shortly after completing his studies at the Kenya School of Law, Francis married the love of his life, Mildred Raburu, who he affectionately refers to as “jaherana” (my love).
Francis met Mildred through a go-between, his sister-in-law Jeniffer Atieno Ong’or, a practice that was common at the time and pivotal in creating lasting marriages.
Coincidentally, Mildred’s brother – Peter Otieno Raburu – had been Francis’ classmate at Maranda High School during their ‘O’-levels then. After secondary, Francis went to Kisii School for ‘A’ Level, while Peter Raburu joined Maseno School and later the University of Nairobi.
Peter Raburu later made distinguished career in the provincial administration in the previous dispensation – serving as district officer, district commissioner and later provincial commissioner. He is remembered as one of the outstanding PCs especially when he served in the then Central Province.
From a humble beginning, with borrowed household items, the Okellos’ life is a study in kindness, care, fortitude and community service.
Blessed with four children – Vivian Teresa Odhiambo, Kwame Keith Ochanda, Joy-Rose Achieng and Catherine Riako – and who now have their own families, the Okellos are a close-knit family with well set standards. Beyond the immediate family, the Okellos opened their doors to the larger family, adopting and supporting children from other members of the family and educating them to university.
Notably, the memoir departs from the conventional linear narrative typically found in works of this nature. It adopts a multi-layer narration style, infusing works of research, history and anthropology, and positioning the author’s life and experiences as the lens for interpreting significant national and global events.
The events around him, the experiences he went through and the interactions as well as personal encounters become the fulcrum for conceptualising and articulating issues about life.
For instance, the episode of his first visit to Mildred’s family in Kano, Kobura in the present-day Kisumu County, provides the anchor for explaining the concept of dowry in African communities, disabusing the Western-centric notion that it is a form of transaction.
The essence of dowry, the author explains, is to show appreciation to the girl’s family and cement relationship.
Indeed, in many African communities, there are no determined measures of quantities of the gifts - it is open-ended with the understanding that gifting continues throughout the couple’s life.
The inference is that the present practice of fixing dowry costs and targets is a distortion of age-old tradition that connotes friendship, mutual respect, reciprocity, communality and collegiality, hence un-African.
In another episode, while highlighting Serena’s focus on environmental preservation as a core social responsibility, Francis goes ahead to elaborate the United Nation’s environmental and sustainability goals and uses this to expound his commitment to issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Such explanatory accounts elevate the memoir, confer intellectual stature, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge across multiple disciplines.
Equally remarkable is the author’s keen eye for detail. Every event is recounted with precision - names, dates, venues, and vivid descriptions - offering profound insight into the narrative.
Born in November 1949 in a polygamous family, Francis is the son of Chief Jairo Okello Anam and mama Teresa Aduong’a. He had several stepmothers and siblings.
From his humble background in Nyangera Village in Yimbo Location in the present day Bondo Sub-County, on the shores of Lake Victoria (Nam Lolwe as known by locals then), Francis’ journey is a study in resilience, conviction and integrity.
Rising from the humble background to scaling the academic ladder – Nyangera Primary, Osieko Primary, Usenge Intermediate, Maranda Secondary School and Kisii School, University of Dar es Salaam and later Princeton University in the US, Francis is a strong believer in academic excellence. His long tenure in boardrooms of elite, publicly listed companies across the region stands him out as an exemplary leader.
As he states in the book: “Leaders should be assessed by the impact of their work and interactions in the form of, for instance, mentoring and coaching, which has to be reflected in the institution’s state of health after the leader exits.”
The memoir vividly captures the intersection of personal, family, professional, intellectual, and social experiences. Besides being an appreciation and celebration of culture, it is a powerful reflection on identity and the profound impact an individual can have on the society they inhabit.
To paraphrase Robert Frost’s classic poem, The road not taken, Francis took the road less travelled and, indeed, that made all the difference.
