KENYA – Safaricom, a mobile network operator, has announced the appointment of Stephen Kiptinness as its new Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, with effect from 1st May 2022, subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

Stephen will be responsible for the organisation’s reputation management, public policy, legal and regulatory affairs. He will also steer the development and implementation of Safaricom’s corporate investment strategy as well as overse internal and external communications.

Prior to his appointment, Stephen was a Senior Partner at Kiptinness & Odhiambo Associates LLP where he headed the Technology and Intellectual Property practice for the last 10 years.

Before starting his practice, Stephen worked at Telkom Kenya Orange, heading Regulatory Affairs for 3 years, from 2009 to 2012.

Prior to his role at Telkom Orange, he held various legal roles including Legal Officer and subsequently Senior Legal Officer at the Communications Authority of Kenya, and Legal Manager at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, having commenced his legal career as a Trainee Advocate at Oraro & Co. Advocates. Stephen also teaches at the University of Nairobi School of Law.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B Hons) from the ILS Law College, University of Pune, a Diploma in Computer Science, a Certificate in Human Resource Management, a Post graduate Diploma in Law and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Information Technology & Telecommunications Law from the London School of Economics.

Stephen is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Member of the Law Society of Kenya and is a Certified Public Secretary with Institute of Certified Secretaries.

Retirement of Joe Ogutu

Safaricom has also announced the retirement of Joe Ogutu, the Chief of Special Projects and Acting Chief Business Development & Strategy Officer in new changes issued by the firm’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa.

In a statement, Ndegwa hailed Ogutu as an outstanding business leader, mentor and coach to many; qualities that Safaricom have benefitted greatly from.

Ogutu was part of the team that coordinated the company’s successful bid for the second telecommunications license in Ethiopia.

“Joe’s experience in the communications industry spans more than 35 years of which the last 20 have been at Executive Committee level,” Ndegwa said.

“He is accredited with, among many other achievements, being actively involved in reforming of the telecommunications sector and establishing the institutional framework for the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy).” 

He noted that he steered the company alongside former CFO, Sateesh Kamath when the late Bob Collymore was on medical leave.

“The hallmark of Joe’s career and contribution to the success of Safaricom was his absolute willingness to step into an unexpected role whenever requested, even if it meant stretching his workload tremendously,” he said.

Ogutu, who has held the chairmanship position of the Safaricom Foundation since 2015 will continue with that role.

“All the CEOs of Safaricom, from Michael, to Bob through to myself, relied on Joe in many situations and he never failed to live up to our expectations,” Ndegwa said.

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