By Jacob Mutuma
As an anxious, eager and excited attache, in 2021, I began my first HR experience
with the Kenya Revenue Authority (Southern Region). I ensured that it would be
worthwhile since I understood that the opportunities were rare. I volunteered to learn
even in new locations, observed meetings and responded to questions as required in
order to learn. That attitude also gave me an additional 11 months as an HR
Assistant and a staff of six, which enabled me to learn how to remain cool when
faced with pressure due to policies or staff issues, as well as the operations of a
large-scale. I remain very indebted to them.

Being an HR Officer of a company dealing with transportation and logistics in Kilifi
County in 2024, I started a new undertaking. One 200-man crew with 70 per cent
drivers, 20 percent mechanics, and 10 percent in the office moved at a frantic pace.
Each absence made a difference. Every delay had costs. As any other HR officer, I
took charge of recruitment, leaves, and grievances. Nevertheless, I did not succeed
in getting rid of the feeling that something was missing. I was countering issues
instead of controlling them. I did not possess any data. I was not attentive.

And then, almost by chance, a spark came. In October 2024, I attended an HR
analytics seminar. Everything was clear. I learned that data could not only be utilised
in order to solve problems but also in order to predict them. I began tracking fuel use
by the drivers, tardiness and mapping complaints to routes. Programs such as Excel,
could no longer enjoy the exclusive use of spreadsheets; now they were windows to
performance trends. It was the first time I was not only helping people. Getting them,
I was.

It sparked when I read in a Citizen TV article the comment made by CS Geoffrey
Ruku on the 25 th of May 2025 during the 11 th National HR Congress in the city of
Mombasa. Drawing on a rather prolific list of use cases, he said, the future of HR is
predictive rather than reactive and exhorted HR workers to embrace AI and
analytics. I could hear that. My personal growth could be identified in that national
vision and this is my motivation to act at once.

To pursue my higher-level critical thinking skills, I searched for an initiative where I
could pursue a master’s degree in Kenya. However, I could not find any initiative that
would admit a non-technical candidate. That is when I made my decision to go
overseas. The first school which met my attitude and allowed me to realise my
desires and HR experience was the University of Louisville. Their Master of Science
in Business Analytics program was the door that opened a hitherto long-seemingly
closed door.

I am about to commence that journey. I believe it is better than studying Python or
Power BI. It entails enhanced questioning, linkages between people data and
company goals and creation of smart, scalable and deep-human people approaches.
In my opinion, the Kenyan HR sector is at the crossroads. Either we can continue the
outdated processes or lead the continent to a smarter and more adaptable future.

CS Ruku was right; sight HR must become a tech-enabled strategic partner. This
involves embracing analytics, AI, and automation as an instrument and not as an
enemy.

Consider the possibilities of identifying the best performers, predicting attrition before
the fact or designing wellness programs that rely on live feedback. This is already
happening in global HR, hence, is not a mere fantasy. That is where it should be
happening.

In the end, my end goal is to establish a consulting company which will help Kenyan
firms, especially those in the public sector, logistics, and SMEs, to utilize data to
make timely, equal, and effective decisions. However, I need to learn first. That is
why I am going to Louisville.

The author is a Human Resource officer based in Kilifi County. He has previously worked
with the Kenya Revenue Authority. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource
Management and is preparing to pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics at the
University of Louisville.