Burji Online

  1. Heritage, Family, and Formative Years (1981–2000)

Tego Wolasa was born in 1981 in Marsabit, Kenya, to Wolasa Hasse (of the Burji tribe) and Maka Tego. He grew up in a large polygamous household and is one of 12 siblings (10 from his mother and 2 from his stepmother). His early years were defined by rural labor and academic rigor; from the late 1980s, he spent weekdays in school, weekends in Madrassa and Holidays at the family’s Badasa farm.

Foundational Education & Spiritual Growth

  • 1987–1991: Started at Marsabit Police Line Nursery and Sakuu Primary School (Classes 1–4).
  • 1992–1995: Moved to Moyale (where his family entered the second-hand cloth export trade) and attended Mary’s Primary School (Classes 5–8).
  • 1996–1999: Attended the prestigious Nairobi School (Prince of Wales).
  • Spiritual Education: Began Madrassa at Marsabit Jamia Mosque (1987) and was a pioneer student at Khulafau Rashidin Madrassa in Moyale (1992). He later mastered Tafseer under Sheikh Daud Abdi Bonaya and others at Huruma Islamic Centre.
  1. Academic Mastery and Specialized Training
  • Bachelor of Business Management (Financing & Banking): Moi University (2005).
    • Leadership: 17th SGC Student Leader; Editor-in-Chief of The Illuminator; Chairman of Third Eye magazine; Founder of Al Siraj
  • MBA Strategic Management: Kenyatta University (2014).
  • Postgraduate Diploma Islamic Banking & Insurance: IIBI, London (2015).
  • MBA Islamic Banking & Finance: Alhuda CIBE, Pakistan (2018).
  • PhD Candidate (Entrepreneurship): University of Nairobi (Thesis: Immigrant Entrepreneurship).
  • Professional Training: Full Omega Credit Course; Leadership Training (Phases I-V) by DDI; Arabic studies at Jamia Training Institute (2011) and Umma University (2015).

III. Professional Banking Career (2005–Present)

Absa Bank Kenya PLC (2024–Present)

  • Current Role: Head of Islamic Banking (La Riba).
  • Key Achievement: Grew the book by KES 13 billion in 2025, La Riba Voted best Islamic bank in Kenya, Also featured about 100 most influential Islamic Organisation.
  • Innovation: Developed Kenya’s first Islamic digital facility and Shari’ah-compliant credit card.
  • Tego was named one of the 100 most influential Muslims in Kenya in 2025

KCB Bank Kenya (2006–2024)

  • Executive Role: Head of Islamic Banking (Dec 2023–Aug 2024).
  • Evolution: Started as a Credit Clerk in Sotik (2006); served as Corporate Banking Manager at HQ (2008–2011); Branch Manager in Wajir and Moyale (2011–2012).
  • Innovation: Product Development Manager (2014) for the launch of Sahl Banking; later Relationship Manager (2017–2023).

Other Banking Roles

  • Premier Bank (2012–2014): Branch Manager (Moyale/Westlands).
  • Blue Nile East Africa (2005–2006): Accounts Assistant.

  1. Shari’ah Board Roles & Corporate Governance
  • Chairman & Founder: BTI College (established in 2020).
  • Chairman & Co-founder: Buraf Fintech (2023).
  • Shari’ah Advisor: KNEST (National Treasury).
  • Shari’ah Advisory Boards: Mwalimu National Sacco, Taqwa Sacco, Barka Sacco, NSSF Sacco, Frontier Sacco (Founding Chairman), Jisr Capital (Founding Chairman of Jisr Sacco), Lakum (Laki Infotech), Western Kenya Muslim Women Sacco, and others.
  • Leadership: Secretary General of Adawo Kenya and Independent Financial Advisor at SIB Najah.
  1. Academic Contributions, Mentorship & Social Impact
  • Lecturing: Part-time at Umma University (2014–2021) and University of Nairobi (2021) for MSc Finance.
  • Employment Impact: Directly facilitated the employment of over 200 jobless youths (2010–2025).
  • Career Mentorship: Provided guidance to hundreds of young professionals in the banking and entrepreneurial sectors.

  1. Cultural Advocacy & Burji Linguistic Pioneer
  • Language Education: First ever to start college-level Burji language training at BTI College (2020).
  • National Curriculum: Collaborated with KICD in 2023 to develop Primary School Burji books (Grade 1+).
  • Leadership: First registered Secretary General of the Nairobi Burji Professionals Association (2022).
  • Literature: Built on existing work of others to compile, Edit and Publish the Burji-English-Swahili-Amharic dictionary (2010); Founder of Burji Online.

VII. Philanthropy & Personal Life

  • Kiamaiko Foundation: Founded in 2016 with Sheikh Daud. As of 2026, focuses on entrepreneurship empowerment and startup capital for young women.
  • Family: Married Dawe Dambe Chudo with 4 boys and 1 girl; and also married Najma Shariff Bishar.

 

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