What began last year as a bold breakfast experiment in business engagement has now transformed into a full-scale forum attracting some of Kenya’s most influential voices in entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and cooperative development. StunnerBiz Season 2, held in Nairobi, was a significant escalation both in ambition and impact.
With the theme “Leveraging digital solutions for Business Growth,” this year’s edition delivered a full day of strategic engagement. Entrepreneurs, Sacco leaders, fintech founders, banking executives, cooperative influencers, and grassroots digital trailblazers converged to dissect the challenges and share practical solutions for scaling in today’s evolving economy.
What emerged was a clear call to action: Kenyan enterprises must pivot towards agility, digital capability, and deeper community-centered innovation.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
Lilian Gachoki: Rewriting the Financial Playbook for Business Survival
Opening the day as the first keynote speaker, Lilian Gachoki, Director at Corporate Connections Kenya, set the tone with a powerful session titled “Financial Cushioning for Businesses.” Her message resonated with the audience not just for its practicality, but for its honesty.
Speaking against the backdrop of rising inflation, unpredictable tax changes, and delayed payments, Lilian laid out a roadmap for survival. She urged businesses to reorganize their cash flow, avoid emotional borrowing, and eliminate unnecessary operational waste. “Borrow what the business needs, not what you qualify for,” she advised, underlining the discipline required in managing credit during volatile times.
But her insights extended beyond numbers. Lilian challenged attendees to audit their client base, automate repetitive operations, and refine their personal and business brands. “Clients Google you before they trust you. Your brand should unlock opportunities.”
She gave an analogy of networking and physical fitness, “Just like you go to the gym for physical health, you go to networking events for business health.” This was particularly memorable, reminding entrepreneurs to consistently invest in relationships that grow their influence and revenue.
What truly elevated her session was a moment of authentic generosity: after delivering one of the most insight-packed talks of the day, Lilian paused to offer a free one-hour coaching session to one of the attendees, a young entrepreneur who had shown curiosity and courage during the Q&A session. It was more than a token; it was an extension of her values. The gesture underscored her message of action, support, and shared growth.
Lilian’s presence on stage set a standard not just for thought leadership, but for mentorship, collaboration, and the kind of real-time support that transforms rooms and builds legacies.
Dr. Gamaliel Hassan , CEO, Stima Sacco: Building trust through digitilization
As the second keynote speaker, Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco, brought SACCOs to the digital frontier. His session was a masterclass in institutional transformation, breaking down what it takes to digitize a cooperative without losing its soul.
Dr. Gamaliel highlighted how Stima Sacco evolved into a Kshs. 66 billion institution with over 250,000 members across 497 companies, not by luck, but through intentional digital investment. He gave an account of how the Sacco created a cyber-security operations centre, launched a digital innovation hub, and established e-learning academies to ensure that staff and members could adapt to the systems.
“Digital transformation isn’t optional, it’s essential,” he said plainly. He reminded Sacco leaders that members now demand convenience, transparency, and access which analogue systems can no longer uphold.
Beyond the tech, he emphasized that culture is the biggest asset. Digitilization, he said, must begin with people: “Train them, engage them, co-create with them and they will lead the innovation from within.”
The defining moment came when he revealed that during the pandemic, while institutions were closing down or downsizing, Stima Sacco didn’t retrench a single staff member. Instead, they engaged in digital expansion, proving that transformation done right can protect both livelihoods and long-term strategy. It was a lesson in resilience, and a message that values and vision can indeed coexist.
Dr. Gamaliel’s approach proved that Saccos can modernize without compromising their identity. His story offered more than a roadmap, it offered hope. By putting people first, embracing bold innovation, and staying rooted in cooperative values, Stima Sacco has become a living example of how digitilization can be both transformative and humane.
Together, Lilian Gachoki and Dr. Gamaliel delivered a powerful one-two punch that defined the heart of StunnerBiz Season 2. Lilian challenged entrepreneurs to adopt structured financial thinking, strengthen their personal brands, and network with intention, reminding them that systems, not hustle, build longevity. Dr. Gamaliel, on the other hand, offered a compelling vision for Saccos, demonstrating how digital transformation rooted in empathy can safeguard livelihoods while driving exponential growth. Their combined insights made one thing clear: the future of African enterprise belongs to those who lead with clarity, courage, and a willingness to evolve.
Ruth Kinyanjui: SACCOs Must Digitize or Risk Irrelevance
Ruth Kinyanjui’s presentation was not a lecture, it was a wake-up call. Drawing from her extensive experience in Sacco digitilization, Ruth laid bare the systemic risk facing cooperatives that delay tech adoption.
She noted that while Saccos manage 35% of national savings, many still operate with outdated systems, leaving them vulnerable to inefficiencies, fraud, and disconnection from younger, digital-first members. “The cost of waiting is rising. While Saccos debate readiness, fintechs are already serving your members,” she warned.
To demystify the belief that digitilization is expensive, she introduced strategic layering a phased implementation model that starts with digital audits, staff training, user-centred service design, and iterative testing. Her call for Saccos to serve the 14 million unbanked Kenyans was both strategic and moral: “This isn’t just about scale. It’s about responsibility.”
Benson Musoga: Reclaiming the digital narrative for SMEs
When Benson Musoga, the founder and Managing Director of Mac&More Solutions and a respected figure in the SME transformation space, took the podium at StunnerBiz Season 2 with his characteristic clarity and practical insight, Musoga addressed one of the most overlooked truths in the digital transformation discourse: digitilization must serve the actual business model, not overshadow it. He urged entrepreneurs particularly the owner managers of SMEs, to stop chasing trendy solutions and instead focus on relevance, functionality, and return on investment.
Drawing from years of experience working with grassroots businesses and cooperatives, Musoga emphasized the value of contextual technology. “A SACCO in Murang’a doesn’t need the same digital stack as a fintech in Nairobi,” he explained. “It needs tools that reflect its reality; simple, scalable, and member-centric.”
His approach was layered with strategy. He encouraged business owners to start with what they have, map their processes, and digitize incrementally. From sales automation and customer relationship management (CRM) to basic mobile integration, Benson broke down digital transformation into clear, actionable stages. This approach resonated deeply with SMEs in the room – many of whom feel overwhelmed by jargon and underwhelmed by costly tech solutions.
But what made Benson’s talk memorable was his human-centred outlook. He reminded the audience that SMEs are not just numbers, they’re people with dreams, risks, and families depending on their success. He called for more empathy in tech design, more inclusion in digital policy, and more storytelling from the ground up.
“We can’t digitize businesses while dehumanizing them,” he said. “The power of technology lies not in the code but in how it connects, supports, and elevates the people behind the business.”
Carolyne Gathuru: Igniting the Spark of Self-Belief in Business
If StunnerBiz Season 2 had a heart moment, a pause for reflection, clarity, and deep personal resonance. it came during Carolyne Gathuru’s electrifying session. A celebrated brand strategist, founder of Life Skills & Values, and champion of SME resilience, Carolyne brought the conversation back to the most critical component of any business: the entrepreneurs themselves.
While others spoke of systems and scale, Carolyne invited the audience to look inward, to challenge their fears, redefine their identities, and embrace their purpose-driven power. She emphasized that the success or stagnation of a business often has less to do with the market and more to do with mindset. “Business is a mirror. If you’re stuck, it might be because your internal beliefs are, too,” she said, in a statement that stirred the room.
Her presentation combined self-awareness with tactical clarity. She outlined the five building blocks of entrepreneurial growth: identity, purpose, values, impact, and legacy. Each block was supported by real stories, lived experience, and a passionate call for authenticity in branding.
But it wasn’t just a talk, it was a guided transformation. Carolyne had attendees reflect on why they started, who they serve, and what they believe about their own worth. She challenged them to ask not just how to grow, but why they should grow, to redefine success on their own terms and build businesses that reflect who they truly are.
“When you show up as your whole self, your business becomes magnetic,” she told the audience. “People don’t just buy your product. They buy your clarity, your conviction, your confidence.”
In a forum filled with high-level strategy and tech-driven solutions, Carolyne Gathuru reminded us that business transformation begins with personal transformation. That digitilization without direction is noise, and scaling without soul is short-lived.
The panel discussion: digitilization starts with the first click
The afternoon panel discussion brought together practitioners who turned digital theory into everyday business tools. Edwin Maina, the CEO of Seargent Solutions emphasized the need for usability and problem-solving when adopting tech. “Automate the most repetitive task first,” he advised, urging entrepreneurs to focus on time-efficiency and cost-savings.
Godfrey Ngotho, co-founder of Kipacha Technologies, demystified entry barriers for startups. “Use free tools like Canva and OSSA.ai before buying premium platforms. The point is to start, not to be perfect,” he said. He emphasized on the need to embrace agility, especially for the sole proprietors and youthful business founders.
Rounding off the panel was Stephen Ngaruiya from Kingdom Bank, who outlined how banks are using gamified savings tools like Kopa Smart App and Faidi Dada to appeal to women and youth. These tools allow users to visualize goals and track progress, effectively merging fintech and behavioural science.
Together, the panelists reinforced one theme: digital transformation is not about buying software, it’s about adapting mindsets.
Shem Maina , Co-founder OneKitty: Digitilizing the Spirit of Giving
Shem Maina, co-founder of OneKitty, told one of the day’s most relatable stories. Born out of frustrations in managing WhatsApp group contributions, OneKitty evolved into a robust platform supporting chamas, fundraisers, digital table banking, and event ticketing.
With over 6,000 groups actively using the platform, OneKitty integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp, offering real-time updates, fund approvals, and statements, all while remaining KYC-compliant. Their backend infrastructure is supported by regulated partners like Safaricom, SasaPay, and KCB.
“We’re not just building tech,” Shem explained. “We’re digitilizing trust.” From 24/7 customer support to transparent platform fees (2.5% for fundraisers, 2% for chamas), OneKitty has positioned itself as a local fintech brand solving a very local, but scalable, problem.
Natachi Onwuamaegbu and Braiding Nairobi: A Social Enterprise in Every Strand
From Lagos to Nairobi, beauty is big business, but few are digitilizing it like Natachi Onwuamaegbu. Founder of Braiding Nairobi, Natachi gave a compelling pitch that revealed how hyper-specialization, technology, and empathy can combine to create a beauty-tech brand that is both scalable and socially impactful.
Her app connects clients to verified, professional braiders, offering everything from dreadlocks and lines to unbraiding and child-friendly haircare. With real-time support, pricing transparency, and a waiting list of over thirty vetted salons, Braiding Nairobi is redefining convenience in beauty services.
What makes her model powerful is its focus. “We don’t want to do everything, we want to do hair really well,” she said. Her vision? A pan-African movement of stylists and salons under a single, trusted digital umbrella. “Think less of a shaving night in Nairobi, and more of Braiding Accra, Braiding Cape Town…” she envisioned.
A glimpse into Kenya’s next chapter of enterprise
StunnerBiz Season 2 reflected the reality of Kenya’s business landscape: innovative yet strained, dynamic yet under-digitized. Additionally, it pointed to a path forward, one built on empathy, experimentation, and execution.
A movement in motion
StunnerBiz Season 2 didn’t just happen, it landed. With more voices, more stories, and more vision than ever before, it reminded everyone in the room that the future of African enterprise isn’t waiting at the top of a corporate ladder, it’s already being built in salons, chamas, classrooms, kitchens, SACCOs, tech labs, and tiny idea books.
This wasn’t a one-day conversation. It was a shift. A reminder that innovation doesn’t always look like disruption. That growth isn’t reserved for the loud, it belongs to the prepared. And that digitilization isn’t about platforms, it’s about people.
As the curtains closed, one truth lingered in the air: we are no longer hoping for transformation, we are living inside it.
The spark has been lit. Now the question is: who is bold enough to carry the fire forward?
