NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – Safaricom has appointed Adil Arshed Khawaja as its new Chairman barely a month after former boss John Ngumi resigned.
In a notice, the telco’s Board of Directors said that Khawaja’s appointment takes effect from today.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to inform you that following a Board meeting earlier today, Adil Arshed Khawaja (MBS) has been elected as the Chairman of the Safaricom board effective today, Thursday 26th January 2023,” the firm’s CEO Peter Ndegwa said in a statement.
“As mentioned in my previous message when he joined the board, Adil is a distinguished Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 30 years experience in the legal profession,” he added.
Early this month, Ngumi resigned from the post, barely 6-months after he was appointed to the position in July 2022.
According to a statement from the telco, Ngumi’s resignation took effect on December 22.
Ngumi left the Board to focus on developing green energy generation across Africa with an emphasis on green hydrogen.
Khawaja currently serves in various boards which include Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, Al Futtaim Automotive -CMC Motors Group Limited and Atua Enkop Africa Limited.
He previously served as director of KCB Bank Group from 2012 and was elected as first Chairman if KCB Bank Kenya Limited from 2016 until 2020.
“I take this opportunity to welcome Adil and wish him all the best as the Chairman of Safaricom PLC. I also look forward forward working with Adil and the entire Board of Directors as we continue to transform lives and delivering for our customers, colleagues, community and company,” the CEO added.
