Benard Karanja
Nairobi
Summary
Data professional with a comprehensive background in the full data lifecycle, from engineering robust pipelines to delivering actionable business intelligence. I have a proven ability to design and implement end-to-end ETL processes using Python and SQL, and to manage cloud data warehouses like Amazon Redshift. My expertise ensures data integrity through quality frameworks, automation, and strict governance in line with data protection laws. I combine deep technical engineering skills with strong analytical insight to build scalable, trustworthy, and compliant data systems, supporting strategic goals through intuitive dashboards built in Tableau and Metabase.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
30
30
Certification
Work History
Senior Data Analyst
Lori Systems Limited
Nairobi
09.2024 - Current
- Leveraged AI-driven tools to design and develop scalable Web Apps, such as the Employee Value Recognition Platform and Ad hoc Request Management System, streamlining team operations and enhancing data-driven decision-making processes.
- Enhanced data accuracy by performing regular Data QC, addressing data anomalies, and conducting data cleanup procedures across diverse data warehouses spanning multiple regions. Reduced data errors by 80%.
- Developed routine reports covering distinct periods to support strategic decision-making processes. Increased reporting and enhanced decision-making timelines by 90%.
- Presented financial performance insights to investors through compelling data visualizations and in-depth analysis. Helped secure funding of USD 3 million from several Investors.
- Facilitated informed decisions by analyzing leased truck performance metrics, including mileage and fuel consumption. Identified cost savings loopholes and blocked them which improved fleet efficiency by 50%.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with data engineering, product management, and software development teams to establish robust data governance frameworks. Ensured 100% compliance with governance standards.
- Generated actionable insights through comprehensive reports and dashboards using SQL, R, Python, Metabase, and Tableau. Delivered accurate reports faster and increased stakeholder engagement by 100%.
- Implemented systems to transform raw datasets into user-friendly formats, enhancing usability for non-technical stakeholders. Reduced data preparation time by 70% which increased adoption rates by 50%.
- Automated currency exchange rate retrieval, leading to improved accuracy in financial analysis. Reduced manual errors by 100%, which saved numerous hours of manual work monthly.
- Guided teams in understanding data structures and maximizing BI tools for self-driven data creation and analysis. Trained over 50 team members these increased self-service BI usage by 70%.
- Worked closely with the data engineering team to monitor and validate ETL operations, ensuring data integrity and accuracy across platforms. Contributed to a 100% reduction in ETL errors, which improved data availability timelines by 100%.
- Designed and implemented an end-to-end ETL pipeline using Python and SQL to extract raw transactional data, transform it into structured formats, and load it into a centralized data warehouse.
- Automated data ingestion workflows by integrating APIs and batch processing, improving data availability and reducing manual processing time by 40%.
- Optimized pipeline performance through query tuning, partitioning, and error-handling mechanisms, ensuring data accuracy, reliability, and scalability.
- Lori is an e-logistics company that seamlessly coordinates haulage across Africa. Website
Global Business Operation Data Analyst
Lori Systems Limited
Nairobi
02.2021 - 08.2024
- Fostered collaboration between technical and business operations teams, bridging communication gaps to align objectives and drive project success. Reduced project delays by 80%, which increased cross-team efficiency by 100%.
- Leveraged tools like Excel, SQL, R, and Python to conduct comprehensive data analyses, delivering actionable insights to support strategic initiatives. Reduced analysis turnaround time by half.
- Generated and delivered reports, such as weekly scorecards, to enable executives to make informed strategic decisions. Increased reporting accuracy by 100% which supported the business achievement and strategic goals.
- Designed and implemented performance improvement strategies, including data quality checks, issue identification, and timely resolution processes. Enhanced data quality by 80%.
- Developed automation models for manual processes, such as a data anomalies detection model (R), a scorecard calculation model (Advanced Excel), and an average AR-Days model (R). Reduced manual workload by a week these improved task efficiency by 100%.
- Created intuitive charts and dashboards in Metabase using SQL, streamlining metric and statistic calculations for team use. Increased dashboard usage by 50%.
- Collaborated with senior leaders (General Manager, Head of Operations, Data Science, and Product managers) to enhance automation efforts and improve data visibility across operations. Achieved 70% improvement in automation, increased operational visibility by 100%.
Finance Assistant
Lori Systems Limited
Nairobi
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Processed invoices, reconciled accounts, and ensured timely payments and filings for statutory obligations, including NHIF, NSSF, VAT, and Withholding Tax. Achieved 100% compliance with filing deadlines.
- Assisted account managers with financial queries and maintained accurate records in QuickBooks Online (QBO) and other financial systems. Resolved 1500+ financial queries monthly, which improved record accuracy by 100%.
- Conducted financial audits for annual reviews and ensured proper documentation of invoices to meet regulatory and company standards. Reduced audit discrepancies by 100%.
- Managed clerk payments and provided transporters with trip summaries and financial statements promptly to support operational efficiency.
Project Coordinator
Population Service Kenya
04.2019 - 07.2019
- Led and managed a team of 30 brand ambassadors, overseeing recruitment, training, and task delegation to meet project goals, such as increasing subscriptions. Boosted subscriptions.
- Restocked inventory, performed cycle counts, and assisted with full audits of merchandise and assets to maintain accuracy and prevent shrinkage. Improved inventory accuracy.
- Created and managed project timelines using Gantt charts to oversee product lines from kickoff to production, including online content creation.
- Monitored and reconciled giveaways, ensuring equitable distribution while aligning efforts with subscription growth targets. Accounted for 1000+ giveaways and achieved 100% alignment with subscription targets.
- Ensured accurate and honest data collection processes, generated detailed reports for stakeholders, and presented actionable fieldwork insights. Improved report accuracy eliminating discrepancies in reports.
- Managed team allowances and performed financial reconciliations to maintain accountability and proper allocation of project resources. Reduced allowance discrepancies by 100%, which improved resource accountability by 100%.
- PSI is a network of locally led, globally connected organizations that are passionate about making it easier for people to lead healthier lives. Together with partners, we transform health by tackling the root causes preventing people and their communities from achieving and maintaining good, quality, and affordable health. Website
Education
Master of Science: MSc DA - Data Analytics
KCA University
01.2025
AWS Cloud Computing - undefined
ALX
01.2025
Data Engineering - undefined
ALX
01.2025
Data protection laws and Regulations - undefined
Strathmore University
01.2025
ALX Virtual Assistance Certificate - undefined
ALX
01.2025
GDPR Course - undefined
Cyber Management Alliance
01.2025
Generative AI Starter Kit - undefined
ALX
01.2025
Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation - undefined
Philanthropy University
01.2024
Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation - undefined
DHIS2 Academy
01.2023
Certificate in Aggregate Data Capture and Validation Fundamentals - undefined
DHIS2 Academy
01.2023
Bachelor of Commerce - undefined
Skills
- ETL/ELT Pipeline Development
- Data Pipeline Orchestration & Automation
- Workflow Automation & Batch Processing
- Data Integration (API & External Sources)
- Python (for Data Processing & Automation)
- SQL (Advanced Querying & Performance Tuning)
- R (for Statistical Analysis & Modeling)
- Amazon Redshift
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Database Management & Optimization
- Data Quality Assurance & Validation
- Data Cleaning & Preprocessing
- Data Governance Frameworks
- Superset
- Metabase
- Tableau
- Google Looker Studio
- Dashboard Development for Data Monitoring
- Agile & Scrum Methodologies
- DevOps Principles (DataOps)
- Geospatial Data Processing (GIS)
- Predictive Modeling & Machine Learning
- Generative AI Application
Websites
Certification
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, 2025-10-01
- Data Protection Laws and Regulations, 2025-10-01
- ALX Virtual Assistance Certificate, 2025-05-01
- ALX AI Starter Kit by ALX, 2025-02-01
- Planning And Budgeting Dhis2 Implementations, 2024-12-31
- Aggregate Data Capture And Validation Fundamentals, 2024-12-31
- Introduction To Dhis, 2024-12-31
- Planning For Monitoring And Evaluation, 2024-12-31
- Business Intelligence, 2023-03-01
- Tableau Training, 2022-04-01
- Data Science With Python, 2022-03-01
- Introduction To Data Science, 2022-03-01
- Data Science With R Programming, 2021-09-01
- Soft Skills Training, 2021-03-01
- Google Data Analytics Certificate, 2021-03-01
- Excel Skills, 2020-09-01
Accomplishments
- GRIT Award, 2023-03-01
- GRIT Award, 2025-03-01
- Lori Ownership Award, 2024-03-01
- Lori Ownership Award, 2024-06-01
Key Competencies And Skills
ETL/ELT Pipeline Development, Data Pipeline Orchestration & Automation, Workflow Automation & Batch Processing, Data Integration (API & External Sources), Python (for Data Processing & Automation), SQL (Advanced Querying & Performance Tuning), R (for Statistical Analysis & Modeling), Amazon Redshift, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Database Management & Optimization, Data Quality Assurance & Validation, Data Cleaning & Preprocessing, Data Governance Frameworks, Superset, Metabase, Tableau, Google Looker Studio, Dashboard Development for Data Monitoring, Agile & Scrum Methodologies, DevOps Principles (DataOps), Geospatial Data Processing (GIS), Predictive Modeling & Machine Learning, Generative AI Application
Personal Information
Title: SENIOR DATA ANALYST
Timeline
Senior Data Analyst
Lori Systems Limited
09.2024 - Current
Global Business Operation Data Analyst
Lori Systems Limited
02.2021 - 08.2024
Finance Assistant
Lori Systems Limited
01.2020 - 01.2021
Project Coordinator
Population Service Kenya
04.2019 - 07.2019
Master of Science: MSc DA - Data Analytics
KCA University
AWS Cloud Computing - undefined
ALX
Data Engineering - undefined
ALX
Data protection laws and Regulations - undefined
Strathmore University
ALX Virtual Assistance Certificate - undefined
ALX
GDPR Course - undefined
Cyber Management Alliance
Generative AI Starter Kit - undefined
ALX
Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation - undefined
Philanthropy University
Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation - undefined
DHIS2 Academy
Certificate in Aggregate Data Capture and Validation Fundamentals - undefined
DHIS2 Academy