Newly appointed Safaricom acting Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph admitted of being a dictator in handling matters, something which he said made Bob Collymore a better manager than him.
On Tuesday, Safaricom appointed Mr Joseph, who also served as the company's CEO before leaving in 2010 following the death of Mr Collymore.
"Mr Joseph will hold this position until the board communicates in due course, on a permanent appointment," Safaricom said in a statement on Tuesday.
While addressing an event in October last year hosted by Safaricom, Joseph said his dictatorship was meant to uplift the company when it started.
However, he said, after his exit, he wanted to be replaced by someone who is democratic, something he saw in Collymore. He also termed Collymore as a patient person.
“Quite frankly, my personality, my character, my lack of democracy, my dictatorship style of management was suited to a start-up and growth company. It wasn’t really suited to this mammoth that we have now. We have to consult and we have to agree; be nice to everybody,” said Mr Joseph, admitting that seeking consensus is “not my style.”
“He’s very patient. I’m not patient at all,” Mr Joseph said of Mr Collymore, who died on Monday aged 61. His remains will be interred at a private ceremony on Tuesday.
And now that he's at the helm, it's not clear whether he will try to be accommodating or he will resort to dictatorship. He is also Chairperson Kenya Airways.