In the bustling streets of Kariobangi, where dreams often collide with harsh realities, one man dared to defy the odds, not just in football, but in tech and business. Nick Mwendwa, the visionary founder of Riverbank Solutions, is a name synonymous with resilience, innovation, and game-changing success.
The Football Maverick Who Built a Tech Empire
Long before he became a tech mogul, Nick was a young man working at Uchumi Supermarket, nurturing an unshakable belief in the power of grassroots football. Despite ridicule and fierce competition from established clubs like Kariobangi All Stars, he founded Kariobangi Sharks FC—a team that clawed its way from local leagues to the Kenyan Premier League. Under his leadership, the Sharks made history:
- Grassroots Leagues → Division 2 → Division 1 → Super League → Premier League (now 12th in the standings).
- 2018: Winners of the GOtv Shield
- 2019: Lifted the SportPesa Cup after a thrilling penalty shootout against Everton FC
- 2018/19: Clinched the Kenyan Super Cup
His passion for football saw him serve as President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for eight years, where he revolutionized the sport by establishing a secretariat that professionalized Kenyan football. His legacy lives on:
- Harambee Starlets made history by qualifying for their first-ever Women’s World Cup
- Kenya is set to co-host CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania
The Tech Genius Behind Kenya’s Digital Payment Revolution
I’ve met very few people who understand technology and payments like Nick and his brilliance wasn’t confined to the pitch. He wasn’t just dropping me off at Nairobits—he was investing in my future. Years later, I joined Zinga Technologies, a company he co-founded. There, we built:
- WFP Farmers Program: Digitizing access to seeds and fertilizer for Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector.
- Uchumi’s U Club Loyalty Program: The biggest in Kenya, serving 50+ branches and over 1 million customers at its peak.
- TN Bank Zimbabwe’s Agency Banking System: A lifeline for unbanked communities.
Riverbank’s Game-Changing Innovations:
The Tech That Changed Kenya
- Agency Banking Platform: The first and most stable agency banking in Kenya, powering KCB Mtaani Agents. Today, KCB boasts 30,000+ agents across 8 countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
- NSNP Inua Jamii: The backbone of Kenya’s largest cash transfer program, disbursing KES 200+ billion to 1.8 million vulnerable citizens—orphans, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
- County Revenue Collection: Mobile POS devices deployed in 14+ counties, digitizing revenue, slashing corruption and helping counties collect.
Even failures like the KCB Pepea Card, a bold attempt to digitize public transport payments, became stepping stones. Riverbank worked with KCB and KCB noticed.
Why KCB Paid KSh 2 Billion for 75% of Riverbank
When the deal dropped, I wasn’t surprised. Here’s why KCB couldn’t resist:
1️⃣ Full IP Ownership: Riverbank builds everything in-house. No licensing fees. No third-party drama. Total control.
2️⃣ KCB’s Tech Ambitions: Instead of building a tech department from scratch, they bought a ready-made A-team. Smart move.
3️⃣ Bottom-Line Goldmine: Agency banking, government partnerships, revenue tech—all sectors KCB wants to dominate.
4️⃣ Nick Stays as CEO: His relentless innovation culture? Still intact. KCB knows: Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
The Man Behind the Legacy
Today, Nick Mwendwa isn’t just a name. He’s proof that you can start in Kariobangi, build a Premier League club, and sell a tech firm for billions—all while lifting others up. When I think of Riverbank’s journey, I remember those matatu rides, the late nights coding at Zinga, and Nick’s mantra: “Tech isn’t about apps—it’s about impact.” From football pitches to fintech boardrooms, Nick didn’t just play the game. He rewrote the rules.
And Kenya? We’re all better for it.
What’s next? With KCB’s backing and Nick still at the helm, Riverbank’s just getting started. Watch this space.
