Safaricom PLC picks John Ngumi succeed Michael Joseph as Board Chairman

Safaricom has appointed John Ngumi as its director and Chairman of the Board effective August 1, subject to regulatory approval.

Ngumi will take over from Michael Joseph who served as the Board Chair since July 2020.

Michael’s tenure at the firm started in 2000 as CEO, he exits the firm after a 22-year stint where he was instrumental in launching key products such as M-PESA back in 2007.

Ngumi has established himself as East Africa’s foremost corporate and investment banker with 35 years of experience, working with local and international/global corporates, state-owned enterprises, sovereigns, and financial services groups.

He is a seasoned director having drawn his experience in both private companies and state-owned enterprises,” the firm said in a statement.

Ngumi currently serves as Board Chair at the Industrial & Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC), which is leading the effort to implement the Kenya Transport & Logistics Network, encompassing Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Pipeline Company Limited and Kenya Railways Corporation.

He also serves on the board of Kenya Airways PLC.

The company also announced the resignation of Secretary Mdlalose Sitholizwe.

The Board also announces the resignation of Sitholizwe Mdlalose with effect from August 1. We take this opportunity to thank Sitholizwe for his service, dedication, sound advice, and commitment to the company with particular reference to his invaluable contribution to the board audit, risk and compliance committee,” the statement read.

Hot this week

How On-Device AI Extends Smartphone Battery Life in 2026

Discover how on-device AI processing is redefining smartphone efficiency. Learn why running AI locally saves battery and boosts privacy in 2026.

FaaS Explained: Why Function as a Service is Taking Over Cloud Computing

Discover why Function as a Service (FaaS) is reshaping cloud architecture. Learn how FaaS reduces costs, simplifies scaling, and accelerates development.

Secure M-PESA Tips: Your 2026 Safety Guide

Master M-PESA security in 2026. Learn essential tips to protect your funds from fraud, spoofing, and phishing in Kenya's digital finance ecosystem.

Boost Productivity with Local LLMs for Developers

Discover why developers are switching to local LLMs in 2026 for privacy, speed, and cost. Learn how to deploy these models locally and unlock new coding potential.

2026 Health Tech: How Wearable Sensors Are Evolving Beyond Step Counting

Explore how advanced wearable health sensors in 2026 move beyond basic fitness tracking to offer continuous medical-grade insights for consumers.

How On-Device AI Extends Smartphone Battery Life in 2026

Discover how on-device AI processing is redefining smartphone efficiency. Learn why running AI locally saves battery and boosts privacy in 2026.

FaaS Explained: Why Function as a Service is Taking Over Cloud Computing

Discover why Function as a Service (FaaS) is reshaping cloud architecture. Learn how FaaS reduces costs, simplifies scaling, and accelerates development.

Secure M-PESA Tips: Your 2026 Safety Guide

Master M-PESA security in 2026. Learn essential tips to protect your funds from fraud, spoofing, and phishing in Kenya's digital finance ecosystem.

Boost Productivity with Local LLMs for Developers

Discover why developers are switching to local LLMs in 2026 for privacy, speed, and cost. Learn how to deploy these models locally and unlock new coding potential.

2026 Health Tech: How Wearable Sensors Are Evolving Beyond Step Counting

Explore how advanced wearable health sensors in 2026 move beyond basic fitness tracking to offer continuous medical-grade insights for consumers.

Zero Trust Architecture Explained for 2026

Understand Zero Trust Architecture in 2026. Learn how identity-centric security replaces outdated perimeters to protect modern hybrid workforces.

TinyML Explained: Edge AI Benefits for 2026

Discover how TinyML enables local AI processing. Learn the benefits of Edge AI, privacy, and low power consumption in 2026 IoT devices.

Phone Camera AI: The Rise of Offline Editing in 2026

Discover how 2026 smartphone cameras use on-device AI editing to process photos instantly without cloud dependency, enhancing privacy and speed.

Related Articles

Popular Categories