Leading telecommunications service provider Safaricom has brought back Stephen Chege from the Vodacom Group to serve on an expanded role as Group External Affairs Officer serving Kenya and Ethiopia markets.

The appointment, which came into effect from 1st October, comes in the wake of regulatory headwinds and challenges as the firm works to incorporate new technologies to its core business.

Before his appointment, Stephen served as Chief External Affairs Officer at Vodacom Group from November 2021 to September 2025. 

At Vodacom, Stephen developed and executed regulatory, external and corporate affairs policies as well as the company’s sustainability agenda across various markets including the DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana. 

Stephen started out as Safaricom’s in-house counsel in 2006, before rising through the ranks to senior manager, public policy and market regulation, head of regulatory and public policy to chief corporate affairs officer, in 2015, a role he held until November 2021.

In that time, Stephen was responsible for steering the telco through several regulatory and corporate milestones. This includes the company’s drawn-out debate with the Communications Authority, (CA) and Central Bank of Kenya, (CBK) over competition and mobile money innovation respectively. 

On several occasions, Stephen accompanied the firm’s then-CEO Bob Collymore to Parliament, supporting Safaricom’s position in several matters including market dominance, SIM card technology and registration among others. 

His appointment will see him oversee Safaricom’s regulatory, external and corporate affairs, public policy, corporate communication strategy, media relations and the firm’s business sustainability efforts across Safaricom Group and its subsidiaries, including Safaricom Ethiopia.

This comes at a time when the firm is facing increased regulation that will affect mobile money and data, which are crucial planks of its multi-billion revenue stream.

Earlier this week the CBK revealed that it is moving to slash mobile money costs by as much as 50 percent over the next three years in a move that will impact Safaricom’s earnings from its crown jewel, M-PESA.

The telco is also facing significant pressure from the government, which is seeking much deeper access and integration to its treasure trove of digital data.

Last year the government, through the CA, stated that all manufacturers, retailers and mobile network operators must upload the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of each device to a KRA-provided portal. 

“All mobile phone importers will be required to disclose the IMEI Number in their respective import documents submitted to the KRA,” stated the notice from the CA. “This disclosure is mandatory for the registration of the devices in the National Master Database on Tax compliant devices.” 

At the same time, proposed amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications Bill, 2025 revealed earlier this year require internet service providers to develop and deploy metered billing systems capable of monitoring customers’ usage and issue invoices based on their consumption. 

The amendments have been criticised by data privacy watchdogs and lobby groups as another sign of growing state surveillance and affronts to Kenyans’ data privacy.

With over 17 years of experience in telecommunications, including a stint at Vodafone Group UK, Stephen brings a deep understanding of regulatory and corporate affairs in Africa’s dynamic telecom sector. 

He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Notary Public, and a Certified Public Secretary with a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Trade and Investment Law and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), both from the University of Nairobi.

 

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