Linus Rono
Business Development Professional
Nairobi
Summary
Experienced enterprise development professional with a strong interest in business growth and a commitment to entrepreneurship and community development. Holding a degree in Business Management with a major in Entrepreneurship, I bring extensive experience and a comprehensive understanding of enterprise development concepts, particularly within small to medium-sized enterprises. My expertise spans business development, SME consulting, fraud investigations, capacity-building services, market development, and the integration of micro-finance.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Fraud Investigator
Watu Africa Ltd
5 2022 - Current
- Responsible for planning and conducting investigations, providing advice and preparing reports and briefs of evidence, for potential prosecution, disciplinary action or referral to other regulatory bodies, into allegations of misconduct including, asset misappropriation, fraud, bribery, intellectual property theft, and non-compliance with laws and regulations, among others
- Manage and strengthen bonds with Law Enforcement Agencies, Criminal/Civil Justice system, Prosecutions agency and other Industry & non-industry players to enhance co-operation on mutually beneficial information, fraud investigations, asset tracing recovery etc
- Review process, systems and transactions to identify fraudulent activity such as theft and similar other risks and escalate them
- Work with business units in identifying key fraud risk areas and advising on controls to minimize such risks
- Lead and conduct fraud investigations in coordination with appropriate fraud investigation standards and that can be relied upon in a litigation process
- Responsible for companywide fraud risk assessment, resolution of fraud flags and enhancement of internal controls to mitigate losses from fraudulent activity
- Review daily reports and escalate suspicious cases to relevant stakeholders
- Recommend and action appropriate holds on accounts identified as having potentially fraudulent issues
- Facilitate understanding of fraud prevention and detection across the Company network
- Track status of resolved cases to provide a record of activities and support identification of trends or persistent issues
- Proactively engage with business stakeholders to implement fraud management strategies and support the business in anticipating, identifying, assessing, and responding to emerging fraud risks
- Manage a robust and risk-based intelligence-gathering network in all areas of business
- Represent the company before court on fraud related matters
- Propose, discuss and agree recommendations to improve control weaknesses identified during investigations and regularly follow up for their implementation
Debt Collection Team Lead
Watu Africa Ltd
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Analyze the assigned portfolio and recommend for approval turnaround propositions, strategies and actions that would lead recovery of the non-performing accounts
- Negotiate for repayment with problem account holders during recovery, and enforce remedial measures taken such as restructuring, auctions, among others in the interest of the company
- Attend/appear in court for hearings or as a witness when required and public auctions as the Company's representatives
- Manage customer relationships where turnaround strategies have been activated to ensure the cure of accounts as well as manage the credit risk exposure
- Proactively manage relationships with key stakeholders, internal and external including service providers, potential off-takers of assets held as collateral
- Check and verify the accuracy, and completeness of all the relevant documents and balances before the commencement of hard recovery
- Ensure timely issue of relevant notices to customers that form the debt recovery process and make recommendations to management, when appropriate for stronger collection actions including repossession of security
- Evaluate cost/benefits, identify appropriate alternatives and make recommendations on innovative activities to reduce recovery costs and improve efficiency
- Ensure compliance with the laid down policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
- Perform any other related function as assigned to by the management from time to time
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Influenced positive change within the organization through strategic thinking, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and consistent leadership style.
- Collaborated with other department leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project execution while maintaining strong collaboration among team members.
Business Development Lead-(SME & Partnerships)
Musoni Microfinance Ltd-
09.2019 - 08.2021
- Generating leads and turning them into opportunities for member recruitment, savings mobilization and credit
- Facilitating recruitment of groups and stimulate client training on company's policies, procedures and basic business skills
- Tasked with consistently growing the company's product portfolio through networking, referrals and marketing to individuals and groups
- Charged with pro-actively participating in customer development and marketing campaigns to ensure clients are well informed of the product portfolio
- Maintaining relationships through sustained constant contact with the customer and seeking feedback on products and services offered by the organization
- Maximizing income potential from SME's through ongoing relationship development and mapping new markets
- Negotiating the terms of loans and performing due diligence to minimize institution's risk exposure
- Overseeing credit application processes and advising clients on institution's lending criteria and policies to ensure full compliance
- Fully support branch operations, undertaking equivalent duties in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness
- Built relationships with colleagues to facilitate teamwork, cooperation and success.
- Mentored junior team members, contributing to their professional development and overall team success.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to develop innovative solutions for complex client challenges.
- Leveraged CRM tools for efficient tracking of contacts, communications, proposals, negotiations and project implementations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts that maximized profits while maintaining strong client relationships.
- Generated leads through strategic networking at industry conferences, trade shows, and other events.
- Expanded company presence into new markets with well-researched strategies aligned with current industry trends.
Credit Officer
Ministry of Devolution and Planning
02.2017 - 03.2019
- Company Overview: (Department of Youth Development, Uwezo Fund)
- Together with the secretariat, participated actively in the appraisal of group loans
- Organizing and holding workshops on sensitization of Uwezo fund programs
- Undertaking field visits to follow up on group activities and loan recoveries
- Training of Micro and Small Enterprises and groups on Entrepreneurship concepts and overall policy framework regarding their operations
- Mobilizing entrepreneurial potential in the local community development
- Capacity building of small businesses and groups on sound business principles and potential risks in the business environment
- Charged with pro-actively seeking out new opportunities available to small businesses and provide technical support and updates on industry trends
- (Department of Youth Development, Uwezo Fund)
- Entrepreneurship facilitation programs impacted positively on small businesses, youth and women groups as it helped them develop mastery of business fundamentals, vast network of contacts with industry players and exposed them to available business opportunities that have seen many startups, existing businesses and group ventures become successful courtesy of government initiatives and partnerships
- Fostered an environment in which entrepreneurial spirit is cultivated and change of pre-conceived negative attitude towards small businesses which are now viewed as formal sector with growth potential as opposed to alternatives as the society had placed them
- This was evident from consultancy services being sought by small businesses and group ventures
Education
Bachelor of Business Management - Entrepreneurship option
MOI UNIVERSITY
Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, Kenya 01.2011 - 01.2015
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Kabianga High School
Kericho, 12 01.2006 - 01.2009
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined
Tembwo Primary School
01.1998 - 01.2005
Skills
Interpersonal skills
Fraud investigations
Planning skills
Organizing skills
Analytical skills
Organizational Skills
Analytical Skills
Accomplishments
- Entrepreneurship facilitation programs impacted positively on small businesses, youth and women groups as it helped them develop mastery of business fundamentals, vast network of contacts with industry players and exposed them to available business opportunities that have seen many startups, existing businesses and group ventures become successful courtesy of government initiatives and partnerships.
- Fostered an environment in which entrepreneurial spirit is cultivated and change of pre-conceived negative attitude towards small businesses which are now viewed as formal sector with growth potential as opposed to alternatives as the society had placed them. This was evident from consultancy services being sought by small businesses and group ventures.
Idno
29397008
References
- Mr. Felix Gathogo, Investigation Manager, Watu Africa Ltd, 0729804354
- Mr. Leonard Kihiu, Regional Recovery manager, Musoni Microfinance Ltd, 0711311060
- Mr. Japheth Turgut, Sub-County Youth Fund Officer, Sotik, 0720355001
Timeline
Debt Collection Team Lead
Watu Africa Ltd
09.2021 - 05.2022
Business Development Lead-(SME & Partnerships)
Musoni Microfinance Ltd-
09.2019 - 08.2021
Credit Officer
Ministry of Devolution and Planning
02.2017 - 03.2019
Bachelor of Business Management - Entrepreneurship option
MOI UNIVERSITY
01.2011 - 01.2015
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Kabianga High School
01.2006 - 01.2009
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined
Tembwo Primary School
01.1998 - 01.2005
Fraud Investigator
Watu Africa Ltd
5 2022 - Current
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