Hillary Wachinga: The CEO who walks 100km a week

However, this noisy decor is in great contrast to Dr Wachinga, the Group Managing Director of Kenya Reinsurance Corporation. He talks in such a low tone. His voice barely disturbs the air, a whisper that seems to navigate invisible currents of authority.

He narrates about being an altar boy all his young life, about 'being fat' once upon a time then losing the weight, talks about the social calling of service, his sons ("the brothers I never had"), about his 18 years in risk management, compliance and audit. And God.

He whispers a story about how being in this office that he sits in, is not the first time. He was here before. In another lifetime.

Tell me about the day you came here as a broke student and met Peter Kenneth.

My friend and I were in town, roaming about as university students would occasionally. I was studying computer science at the University of Nairobi. Each time I passed these tall buildings, I always looked up and wondered which kind of people worked in those buildings.

Who were they? What did they do? What did their offices look like? So on this particular day, we decided to come up here to Reinsurance Plaza.

We found two policemen outside these doors. I remember this office very well. I remember finding him - Peter Kenneth, the MD then - walking around without shoes on.

In a short-sleeved shirt. I think it was blue. He was so kind to us, very polite, and very generous with his time. He treated us well and then gave each of us Sh500 for lunch - very good money in the early 2000s, at least for a student. We had meat stew and ugali. Ugali was going for Sh2.

And now you are occupying this same office today. Do you find that surprising?

I'm not surprised, actually. I'm a believer. I have learnt to abandon myself to the will of God. When God gives me major surprises, I appreciate it because I know he has a lot in store for me.

Did you ever have the imagination that one day you would be in an office with a red carpet and a flag?

When I was growing up, the biggest personality I knew was Kibaki (Former president Mwai Kibaki) because I come from his village, Kanyange in Othaya. He is the only person I grew up knowing, reading about and seeing wearing a tie.

The other person was the DO (District Officer). He always wore a tie. I admired these people because they wore ties, and also because they served their country.

It was ingrained early in me that purpose, success were serving your country…and wearing a tie. [Chuckles] After university when I was in the private sector - Deloitte - my mom would always tell me, 'you still don't have a job.

Your job will be only when you start working for the government.' And here I am now. I'm touching the lives of millions of common Kenyans. Now my mom believes I have a real job. [Chuckles] Mom was a civil servant, a staunch Catholic.

I grew up in church, an altar boy for as long as I can remember. I was taught catechism by the Italian sisters and priests. When I came to Nairobi I came straight to Strathmore which as you know is religious-based.

So I have been quite influenced by the Catholic church. Actually, my most peaceful and happiest time is when I sit alone in a chapel. Just me and my maker... and when I'm taking one of my long walks. Sometimes I do 100 kilometres a week.

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Why do you walk so much?

It's a habit that I picked up during Covid when I was trying to lose weight. I weighed 91 kilos. My BMI was 71.5. I was always sweating, panting. I was really fat. However, after eight months of walking and dieting (one meal a day) I was down to 63kgs.

Then I got addicted to walking. It's now beyond exercise, beyond the need to maintain weight, it's mental, it's more to build what's inside not what's outside.

What do you think about when you walk?

That's a very good question again. [Pause] I think about a lot. I once designed an indigenous risk management software during a walk. Then I coded it. I have one or two clients from that, as my side gig.

I also normally go through three rosaries during my two-hour-plus walks, so it's a time of religious reflection. I write poetry in my mind when I walk. I'm a poet. Actually, I released my first poetry book on Valentine's Day of 2011.

People don't buy books and they didn't buy mine but I'm going to continue writing. My staff members here enjoy my poetry. Once a week I send a poem to our internal magazine.

Poets are lovers. Do you consider yourself one?

You seem to know a lot about me! [Laughs] Because my poems are mainly on romance, war and nature.

What's been the biggest war you've fought in your life?

Apart from my weight? [Pause] Maybe finding patience with people. I have been very fortunate to come first in everything I have done in my life. I have always been at the top, so when I encounter slow people I struggle with patience.

But I have learnt to be patient. I think it's a big battle for me. Another thing that has taught me patience is fatherhood.

When you lost 29kgs, what significant psychological changes did you see in yourself apart from the obvious physical ones?

When I was fat, I'd feel very sleepy during the day. I was constantly tired, I would sweat profusely after a short walk. I couldn't take the staircase without feeling like I'd collapse. I didn't feel great in good clothes.

Losing weight gave me a lot of confidence. Suddenly I was so comfortable standing in front of people again because you are sure they are not just focusing on the size of your stomach, because you are struggling to even button up properly.

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I felt comfortable in clothes, in walking around. My pace increased, literally and figuratively. I was now agile, energetic...

I'm sure it helped greatly with your…

[Laughs] Talking of which, you know I'm married to your sister. My wife comes from the lakeside...

Oh is it? Was it difficult taking a Luo woman to your people in the mountains?

Of course, there was the initial resistance. My people wondered why I couldn't find one of the many nice girls from around central.

But what they didn't understand is when you come to this town as a young person - I came at 18 years old - you can only marry women that you're interacting with and at your level. And there are many other girls apart from the ones from central.

Thankfully, they are at peace with it now but it took a lot of interaction.

What had to happen for her to be accepted?

Anytime I went to the village I made sure I went with her. She wasn't someone I was prepared to "hide." By going with her I was saying, 'this is me, this is my choice.' When someone tried to attack her, I'd defend her. I actually became her mouthpiece.

Over time I think they realised this man is in love and this woman isn't going anywhere. [Laughs] Her giving us children also helped, it gave her a position amongst my people. Today they don't call her by name; they call her a very important name, Nyina wa Muigai. Mama Muigai.

That's position, right there.

What's your ideal life? Describe it.

Very tough question. [Pause] My ideal life is a busy life. I pray that on the last day of my life in this world, I'll be busy, useful and productive.

I particularly like the story of the late Sir Charles Njonjo, that at the age of 103 he went to work, he felt a little bit tired, went home and passed on at 103. I want to be useful every day of my life. I'm a believer that a human being was created to work.

You are a working machine and so man must work for the betterment of not just himself but others.

Having served as an altar boy for such a long time, you were likely deeply influenced by religion and Christianity. Now that you're older, are there any beliefs or truths related to faith and religion that you've had to unlearn or reconsider?

Not really. In fact, it's the opposite. As I've continued to learn and read more, I've been amazed by how closely Christianity aligns with the beliefs of my people from Mount Kenya, especially when it comes to the Old Testament.

It almost mirrors the practices of my ancestors. This kind of information wasn't available when I was an altar boy... To my surprise, I've discovered that Judaism, Hebrew traditions, and their beliefs are very much in line with the beliefs of my people.

I wish the colonisers hadn't viewed us as backward or pagan, but instead had taken the time to understand us. I believe things could have been different.

How does having a flag displayed behind your desk and on your desk influence your perceptions?

I hope you're not implying that this is about power because, for me, it's not. It represents service. The flags serve as a constant reminder that when I sit here, I am a servant to my people.

They echo my sense of patriotism. There is no power in this; I arrive before 7am and often leave after hours. This is not some type of retirement plan for me, I'm here during my most productive years to serve my country.

Who are you in the Bible?

David. I have many sins, but by God's grace, I can smile and still worship Him. I've mentioned before that I write about war, and David was a man of war, yet he was also a close friend of God... David never intentionally sinned, except for the incident with Uriah and Bathsheba.

If you look at his life, he was a soldier, a king, and a supreme leader of faith. This is the same approach I take in leadership. I'm passionate about what I do, and I'll fight for my position on behalf of others.

Talking about war. What personal war are you fighting currently?

I'm working hard to not be a perfectionist. I used to be the kind of person who would make you repeat something ten times because I demanded perfection—not just from others, but from myself as well.

I've had to lower my expectations for many people and accept that everyone has their own limitations. I'm fighting against being rigid, but it's a struggle. Part of this process involves developing my emotional intelligence.

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