Safaricom Appoints Interim CEO

Kenya telecoms firm Safaricom has appointed former CEO Michael Joseph as the interim CEO following the death of Bob Collymore earlier this week.

According to a statement in the name of company secretary Kathryne Maundu, "The Board is confident that during this transition, Mr Joseph will provide the necessary guidance and leadership to the Company and its employees."

Mr Joseph, a US citizen and chairman of Kenya Airways, is expected to hold the position until a permanent appointment is identified. He previously led the company between 2000 and 2010.

While the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications Joe Mucheru has indicated that he is comfortable with the appointment on an interim basis, the government has expressed a clear preference for a Kenyan national to be appointed to the position.

“My wish is that a Kenyan gets the position but we don’t control the business. We have appointed directors to run the business. It doesn’t mean that what the government wants is what it gets,” Mucheru is quoted as stating.

The government of Kenya holds a 35 per cent stake in the firm.