Safaricom has appointed Stephen Kiptinness as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. The role was initially held by Steve Chege, who moved to Vodacom Group Chief External Affairs Officer.
Chege worked for the telco for more than one decade.
Stephen’s role will be effective 1st May 2022, subject to relevant regulatory approval.
Stephen will be responsible for the organization’s reputation management, public policy, and legal and regulatory affairs.
At the same time, he will steer the development and implementation of Safaricom’s corporate investment strategy as well as oversee our internal and external communications.
Furthermore, Stephen will also lead the development of a roadmap that will be part of what Safaricom does, and among its stakeholders.
The new chief brings on board more than 27 years of cumulative legal experience. He 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.
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, 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 postgraduate Diploma in Law, and a Master of Laws 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 the Institute of Certified Secretaries.
“I also take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Steve Chege for his continued leadership to the Corporate Affairs team since his transition to Vodacom Group as the Group Chief External Affairs Officer,” says CEO Peter Ndegwa.