Lawyer Stephen Kiptinness to steer Safaricom’s Corporate Affairs unit
Telco giant Safaricom has appointed lawyer Stephen Kiptinness as the new Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, a post previously held by Steve Chege who has since transitioned to Vodacom Group as the Group Chief External Affairs Officer.
Since November last year, Mr Chege has been working from Vodacom’s Johannesburg head officers managing the Group’s regulatory, external and corporate affairs functions while also supporting Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC and Safaricom PLC.
Mr Kiptinness, whose appointment is subject to regulatory approvals, is set to take charge of the company’s reputation management, public policy, and legal and regulatory affairs.
“To support the delivery of mission 2 and in line with our vision to be a purpose-led technology company, we will be required to deliver new growth areas, establish a fit for the future organization, and navigate the regulatory landscape to enable our operations,” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said while announcing Mr Kiptinness appointment.
Mr Kiptinness, who teaches at the University of Nairobi School of Law, will also steer the development and rollout of Safaricom’s corporate investment strategy as well as oversee the firm’s internal and external communications.
Read also: Safaricom’s Steve Chege to head Vodacom’s external affairs unit
Tapping from his more than 27 years of cumulative legal experience, Mr Kiptinness is also tasked with leading the development of a roadmap that “will embed purpose in everything we do at Safaricom and among our stakeholders,” Mr Ndegwa noted.
Mr Kiptinness joins Safaricom from Kiptinness & Odhiambo Associates LLP where he was a senior partner heading the technology and intellectual property practice for the last 10 years.
Previously, he worked at Telkom Kenya Orange, heading their regulatory affairs docket for three years between 2009 and 2012.
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 Postgraduate 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.
