Peter Ndegwa officially takes over from Michael Joseph as the 1st Kenyan CEO of Safaricom

Kenyan Peter Ndegwa has officially taken over Michael Joseph as CEO of Kenyan telecoms giant, Safaricom.

The Safaricom Plc. Board of Directors named Peter as the next CEO last year taking over from Michael Joseph who made a comeback in an acting capacity at the helm of East Africa’s largest telco in July following the death of Bob Collymore.

“Peter brings a wealth of experience in General Management, Commercial and Business Strategy, Sales and Finance Operations, having spent over 25 years in various roles within the Financial Services and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors in Africa and Europe,” Safaricom said in a statement by Chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a.

The 51 year old Ndegwa joins Safaricom from Diageo PLC where he is the Managing Director of Diageo Continental Europe.

Joseph confirmed Ndegwa would be assuming his new role today despite being in self-quarantine, having come into the country from Tanzania. He has been participating in Safaricom’s meetings and engaging the board for the last two months ahead of his official duties.

“I will be with him for the next few months guiding him through. It is a slow process, but he understands the company well,” Joseph told the Star on the phone.

Mr Ndegwa told the Business Daily on Tuesday that his strategy will hinge on M-Pesa and deepening the data business.

“Safaricom is more than just a telecommunications company. Voice is saturated but that what is happening everywhere in the world. Best companies renew themselves,” he said. He added that there are still great opportunities in data, M-Pesa and geographical expansion at a time when Safaricom has announced plans to enter Ethiopia, which is keen to liberalise its telecommunication services.