Patrick Njoroge, 54, became governor of Kenya's national bank in June, having worked as an advisor to the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
He turned down the mansion which comes with the job to live in a community house with fellow members of Opus Dei, a Catholic order which places emphasis on the holiness of living simply.
Kenya has welcomed the practising Catholic's decision, particularly given their politicians' recent decision to give themselves a pay rise.
His previous economic experience and self-discipline will also be well-received amid a weakening Kenyan shilling, mostly due to Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in the country harming tourism.
