The government through ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has made its stand clear on the succession tussle at Safaricom. The Chief Executive Officer vacancy had attracted serious debate even before Bob died of cancer on July 1. The government had requested for a Kenyan to take over the telecommunication service provider.
“My wish is that a Kenyan gets [sic] 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,” ICT CS said early this month.
However, the State has changed its stand and allowed Safaricom board to pick whoever it feels will suit the position. The government has promised to support the board's choice despite being the second-largest shareholder with 35 per cent through the National Treasury. The leading shareholder is a 40 per cent joint holding by South Africa’s Vodacom Group and UK’s Vodafone.
“Their (Safaricom) board will decide who they will have as the new CEO. There is no say from the government on who becomes CEO, once they (Safaricom) decides, then we will carry on with that person,” said ICT Secretary Joe Mucheru.
Mid this year, there were reports that a foreigner had been chosen eliciting reactions from various sectors including the clients (Kenyans) and government.
“That plan died with Bob. There was going to be a new CEO by the end of this month,” a source familiar with the succession intrigues told Daily Nation.