Cyprian Nyakundi has raised questions about the leadership of Safaricom following the deaths of protesters during the June 2024 demonstrations, placing Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa and board chairman Adil Khawaja at the centre of demands for accountability over the company’s handling of customer data and its role during the protests.
Nyakundi has questioned whether the two executives have done enough to address concerns surrounding the use of Safaricom’s systems and the protection of Kenyans’ personal information.
The protests, which were largely driven by opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, saw young people take to the streets to demand government accountability. Several protesters were killed, while others were injured or reported missing.
Questions have since emerged about the possible use of telecommunications data to identify or track protesters. Safaricom, which serves millions of customers across the country, holds sensitive information, including communication records and location data. This has increased calls for transparency on how such information is accessed, shared and protected, particularly during periods of political tension.
Nyakundi has also alleged that Ndegwa pushed out members of Safaricom’s executive committee who raised concerns about the handling or disclosure of customers’ personal data.
These claims have placed the company’s internal decision-making processes under scrutiny, with questions about whether employees can raise concerns without facing consequences.
Further questions have also been raised about branding work reportedly handled from London by Ndegwa’s wife, Jemimah, including design and printing contracts linked to the company.
The concerns centre on how such work was awarded, who approved the arrangements and whether the procurement process followed the company’s rules. Clear answers would help establish whether the contracts were handled transparently.
Beyond the political concerns, Safaricom continues to face complaints from customers over service delivery, disputed M-Pesa transactions, unexplained charges and the handling of personal information.
While individual complaints may have different causes, the company faces pressure to address them effectively and improve the way it responds to customers.
Khawaja, as board chairman, also faces questions about the board’s oversight of management and its response to concerns surrounding the June 2024 protests and internet disruptions. Critics argue that internal reviews alone may not be enough to restore public confidence, especially where the company’s own conduct is being questioned.
The debate is also extending to the 2027 General Election, when concerns about political interference and the protection of civil liberties are likely to return. Nyakundi has questioned whether Safaricom’s leadership can be trusted to protect Kenyans’ rights if the country experiences another political crisis.
Safaricom operates critical communications and mobile money infrastructure, giving it a significant role in the daily lives of Kenyans. Any misuse of its systems could have serious consequences for privacy, access to information and public trust.
The questions raised by Nyakundi ultimately place pressure on both the company’s management and its board to provide clear explanations on issues affecting customers and the wider public.
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