On November 1, 2025, David Kimani Mukuha—who has led Naivas Supermarket since its humble beginnings in Nakuru—stepped down as CEO of Kenya’s largest retail chain, handing the reins to its first-ever non-family leader, Andreas von Paleske.
The move coincided with the company’s 35th anniversary and was part of a carefully planned succession strategy, as Mukuha saw it as the best opportunity to pass the baton to Andreas.
Non-Family Successor
Mukuha said the decision to appoint a non-family CEO was aimed at shielding the company from internal disputes that could destabilize operations or derail long-term plans.
By entrusting leadership to Andreas von Paleske, a seasoned strategist with no family ties, Naivas is reinforcing its commitment to impartial, professional governance.
“I could not think of a better opportunity than our 35-year anniversary to pass on the baton to Andreas.”
He added that after decades of family-led management, Naivas is transitioning into a professionally run enterprise.
This change is intended to strengthen governance, improve transparency in decision-making, and attract institutional investors.
Mukuha emphasized that Andreas von Paleske’s experience in private equity, consumer strategy, and global retail positions him as the ideal candidate to lead Naivas with a data-driven, investor-focused approach.
Naivas is targeting growth beyond Kenya’s borders and deeper integration into digital retail.
With rising competition from global and regional players, the company requires leadership that understands cross-border retail dynamics, e-commerce infrastructure, and the modernization of supply chains.
Von Paleske’s international exposure and investment expertise make him well-suited for these priorities.
Although the CEO role is now in non-family hands, the Mukuha family remains actively involved at the board level.
This arrangement enables Naivas to uphold its founding principles while adopting modern corporate practices.
Mukuha’s continued presence as a board advisor ensures that the company’s legacy is respected even as it evolves.
Andreas von Paleske
Von Paleske has been part of Naivas since 2017, serving as Chief of Strategy. His deep familiarity with the company’s operations, culture, and growth trajectory ensures that the transition will not disrupt momentum.
Instead, it is expected to accelerate strategic initiatives already underway, particularly those involving digital transformation and regional expansion.
He played a pivotal role in guiding Naivas through its most aggressive growth phase, leading critical investment negotiations that secured a 31.5% stake sale to IBL Group in 2020 for US$61.5 million (Ksh7.9B), followed by an additional 8.5% in 2022.
These deals injected over US$90 million (Ksh11.6B) in capital, enabling Naivas to expand its footprint to more than 100 stores and modernize operations.
Right Man for Naivas
Before joining Naivas, von Paleske accumulated over 20 years of experience in private equity and consumer investments.
Also Read: DCI Arrest Suspect Accused of Kidnapping a Primary School Headteacher
His previous roles include Global Head of Consumer at Actis, director at Lion Capital—where he oversaw brands such as Wagamama and Kettle Foods UK—and co-founder of Africa Platform Capital.
He began his career at UBS Investment Bank.
Academically, he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, bringing high-caliber leadership experience to his new role.
Also Read: Duale Appoints Five New Faces to Pharmacy and Poisons Board Amid Oversight Push
Having consolidated its dominance in Kenya, Naivas is now looking to regional markets. The new CEO’s global experience and understanding of African consumer dynamics position him to guide cross-border growth while maintaining operational efficiency.
Under von Paleske, Naivas is expected to focus on streamlining logistics, improving vendor relationships, and integrating technology to reduce costs and enhance delivery timelines.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
