Uhuru man Ngumi quits Safaricom

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's ally, John Ngumi, has quit as Safaricom Board Chairman.

The move comes barely six months after Ngumi assumed the leadership of the region's giant telco following the exit of Micheal Joseph.

The exit of Ngumi is seen as a strategy by Safaricom to align the firm with the new administration of President William Ruto.

According to a statement released by the company, a new board chairman will be named in the coming weeks. 

Ngumi was appointed in July as the new Safaricom PLC Director and Chairman of the Board.

He took over from Safaricom Joseph who chaired the board since August 2020.

Ngumi was seen as President Kenyatta's blue-eyed boy who was handed leadership of the country's biggest money-making parastatals.

During Kenyatta Kenyatta's era, Ngumi served as Kenya Pipeline Company chairperson and also as chair of the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation.

ICDC was in charge of the Kenya Transport and Logistics Network that had the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Railways.

Safaricom appreciated Ngumi for his support during the time he served and the progress he made.

"He has provided a wealth of industry knowledge and vast expertise. He has steered the company through a general election and supported the entrenchment of our purpose of transforming lives through our products and services as well as within the community we serve," read part of the statement.

"John leaves the board to focus on developing green energy generation across Africa with an emphasis on green hydrogen."

Ngumi during his 35 career,  Ngumi established himself as East Africa’s foremost corporate and investment banker.

He worked with local and international corporates that have an East African regional presence.

He is a seasoned director having drawn his experience in both private companies and State owned enterprises.