The Pioneer Bank Manager: Peter Nyakiamo

Peter Nyakiamo was once asked to describe the moment he was employed by Barclays Bank and three words came to mind: a beautiful accident. The year was 1963 and the long road to independence was coming to an end. Joy and pride filled the hearts of Kenyans and Nyakiamo became one of many pioneers in the banking industry.  

Where it all began

Before this memorable success, Peter Clave Joseph Otieno Nyakiamo was a student at Kabaa Intermediate School in Machakos. He did so well that after primary school he joined Mang’u High School in Thika. After high school, Peter was on the move once again. While he had his eyes set on Makerere University to train as a teacher, fate had other plans. 

Then a fresh-faced 19-year-old, Peter moved into his uncle’s house in Nairobi where an opportunity awaited him. In later interviews, Peter would attribute his walk into the banking industry to his uncle.

Seizing an opportunity

When his uncle had heard from a colleague that Barclays Bank was looking to hire Africans for clerical work, he encouraged Peter to apply and not one to shy away from a rare opportunity he did. 

His application put him through to the interview round where he sat for Mathematics and English tests. Still the book-smart guy from his younger years, it was no surprise that Nyakiamo got 4 points out of a possible 6. He’d done well, or at least he thought he had. But this sentiment was not shared by the British interviewer who thought Peter could have done better.  

But once again fate came into play. Because of his neat handwriting and impressive diction, the interviewer decided to give him a chance. And so there he was: an African working in an established financial institution. 

Climbing the professional ladder

At the time, only three Africans were employed at Barclays. Besides Peter, there was one other Kenyan and a Ugandan who worked as a telephone operator. Managerial positions were reserved for Europeans while the cashiers and bank tellers were either Arabs or Asians.  

But Peter was hopeful. He was certain that a season was approaching where Africans would take up space in the industry.  

He was also determined to rise in his profession, and so he sought out to understand how the different departments operated. His dedication and work ethic did not go unnoticed. His managers eventually sanctioned his move to a different department. In addition to this promotion, Peter received a scholarship to England in 1956 to attend a training program.

A diligent pioneer in banking 

Peter’s time away opened more doors for him. When Barclays entered a season of change and started looking to grow its client base, Peter was assigned a sales and marketing role. His work was to travel to different parts of the country and persuade Africans to open bank accounts with Barclays.  

He did his work diligently and even rose to the position of Assistant Bank Manager in the bank’s Kisii and Bungoma branches. 

Barclays was eager to further equip its staff as Peter was sent to England once again for further managerial training. This was in 1962. He returned the following year and was promoted in June.  

After 15 years working at Barclays, Peter Nyakiamo became the first African bank manager. He was posted at the Queensway Branch in Nairobi – the same branch where his career in banking began.  

Life after banking

After 35 years of working at Barclays, Peter Nyakiamo retired in 1983. He thereafter ventured into politics between 1983 and 1992, and served as a trustee in the National Fund for Disabled of Kenya. 

Truly the banking industry has changed face over the past century, but it’s thanks to Kenyans like Peter Nyakiamo that more Africans joined and excelled in this industry.