Merit should be the guiding principle in the hiring of Safaricom's next Chief Executive Officer, billionaire businessman Jimnah Mbaru has advised.
The investment banker said the giant telecommunications firm should not bow to pressure and compromise in staffing of its top leadership.
This is after claims emerged that the government was pressing Safaricom to hire a Kenyan to succeed Bob Collymore who is reportedly nearing exit.
"Safaricom should appoint the best person to be its Chief Executive Officer irrespective of whether he is a Kenyan or not. Meritocracy should be the guiding principle. United Kingdom has a Central Bank Governor from Canada. Israel had an American as Governor of its Central Bank," Mbaru tweeted on Tuesday.
On his part, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Director of Communications Phillip Etale, warned the multi-billion company against hiring a local, arguing it would risk running out of business.
"The death of Safaricom will be announced the day a Kenyan will be put at the helm. Sorry to say this, but that's the reality," posted Etale.
Safaricom, however, has dismissed reports of a plan to replace Collymore who the media had reported was scheduled to retire in August over health issues.
“I would like to state that the Safaricom PLC Board has not made a decision on the matter. This will be subject of deliberation by the Board and once a decision is made it will be communicated at the appropriate time," stated Nicholas Ng'ang'a, the Safaricom Board Chairman.