Safaricom Board Appoints New Director

The Safaricom PLC Board has announced the appointment of Edward Okaro as an independent non-executive director.

In a notice on Thursday, January 16, the board disclosed that the appointment of Okaro took effect on January 15.

It noted that Okaro previously worked with Ernst & Young for 26 and that he has over 30 years of experience in financial management and strategic risk management.

"The Board of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Edward Okaro as an Independent Non-Executive Director, with effect from 15 January 2025.

"Mr. Okaro is an audit professional with over thirty (30) years’ experience in financial management, audit, and strategic risk management. Mr. Okaro previously worked with Ernst & Young for twenty-six (26) years, rising to the position of director and subsequently partner in Ernst & Young Africa Risk Services," read part of the notice.

Okaro holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Manchester Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi.

He is also a Fellow Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and a Member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

His appointment comes months after the Safaricom Board announced the appointment of James Ludlow as a new director in the board.

In a notice dated August 29, 2024, the board disclosed that Ludlow would take over from Francesco Bianco, who exited the board on August 1, 2024.