But it was those pitches of Umoja that offered Omari his first lessons in competition, humility, friendship and persistence. Years later, those lessons would follow him into a very different arena -the boardroom of one of Kenya’s largest banks.
Last week, Omari became the CEO of Absa Bank Kenya after more than two decades at the lender, capping a career that has taken him from internal audit to finance and, for 17 years, the chief financial officer.
‘My advice to ambitious professionals is to focus on making the most of the opportunities in front of you rather than concentrating on the next title,’ says Omari.
He twice served as acting CEO, gaining a taste of the top job without being handed the keys permanently. He says it was about gaining experiences that challenged his thinking and exposed him to different parts of the business.
‘Serving as acting CEO on two separate occasions gave me the opportunity to lead the organisation through different periods while continuing to grow in my role as CFO. It also broadened my leadership beyond finance into strategy, treasury, sustainability, and the community impact agenda,’ says Omari.
He now dreams of amplifying the bank’s mantra of ‘Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.’ And he has a story of his own. A story that stretches beyond the tarmac pitches of Umoja.
Omari had initially considered studying engineering. But while processing his university admission, a conversation with someone who encouraged him to see university as a foundation for learning and adapting to opportunities changed his thinking.
He eventually studied Economics at the University of Nairobi, alongside professional accounting qualifications. This set him on a path that would take him from audit to banking, compliance, finance and, ultimately, the top job at Absa.
‘When I reflect on that young man from Umoja, whose afternoons were often spent playing football on the neighbourhood tarmac courts, I am reminded that few careers follow a predetermined path,’ he says.
When he first walked into what was then Barclays Bank of Kenya on February 2, 2004, he was interviewing for an internal audit manager position at Market Branch. He remembers climbing three flights of stairs to the office, slightly breathless.
‘At that moment, the idea that I would one day become CEO was far from my mind. Looking back, I feel a deep sense of gratitude,’ he says.
The appointment as the CEO marks the latest stage of a career built largely within one institution. His career has moved through external audit at KPMG, internal audit, compliance, finance and leadership.
He says an early assignment to help establish KPMG’s office in Rwanda exposed him to building teams, growing a business and solving problems in an unfamiliar market.
‘That experience shaped my approach to opportunities throughout my career. Whenever an opportunity arose to take on additional responsibility, lead a new initiative or step into an unfamiliar environment, I tried to view it as a chance to contribute,’ he says.
From the bank’s head office in Westlands, Omari says his leadership philosophy cannot be separated from Eastlands, where he learned the importance of hard work and creating his own luck.
‘I would describe myself as a grounded and curious person who believes that growth comes from continuously learning, embracing change, and investing in people. Growing up in Nairobi’s Eastlands taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and making the most of every opportunity,’ he says.
He adds that his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people develop and achieve more than they thought possible. His view about leadership is that it is an opportunity to serve and create memories.
‘If there is one thing I would hope people say about me, it is that I remained authentic, treated people with respect, and used every opportunity to make a positive difference,’ says Omari.
Football was once a big part of his life, but ‘age and injuries,’ he says, have taught him how to graciously surrender the passions of youth. His football boots have given way to golf clubs.
Most of his Saturdays now involve a golf course and his close group of friends, called the ‘Eight Ball.’ The group has evolved into a community bound by friendship, competition and support. But Sundays belong to the family.
‘No matter how demanding the week has been, spending time with my family is what helps me stay grounded and keep perspective,’ he says.
He explains that parenthood has changed the way he thinks about leadership. As his children have grown older and more independent, his role has shifted from having all the answers to becoming a guide and sounding board.
He sees a successful leader as one who listens, supports, and creates an environment where people can grow and make confident decisions for themselves. That may prove useful as he takes charge of a bank navigating a changing industry.
Absa wants to deepen its presence across personal and private banking, corporate and investment banking and business banking, while pursuing opportunities in housing, SMEs, trade, manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture. For Omari, however, the strategy ultimately comes back to people.
‘I think about the people, businesses, and stories behind every customer relationship, and how we can help them realise their potential. When we do that consistently and well, stronger performance will naturally follow,’ he says.