Nairobi, Aug. 2 -- On March 4, an unfamiliar face sat next to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi during a news conference following the successful initial public offering (IPO) of Kenya Pipeline Company.

Little known outside investment banking circles, his seat at the high table hinted at the pivotal role he had played in pulling together the country's largest IPO.

This was Dr Belgrad Kenne, the investment banker whose relentless drive and deal-making expertise helped steer the landmark transaction as the lead transaction adviser.

No sooner had the dust settled on Kenne's prominent role in Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC)'s record-breaking IPO than he found himself back in the headlines.

Fresh disclosures revealed that he is the majori...