Safaricom’s Chief Human Resources Officer Florence Nyokabi is facing growing scrutiny following reports of multiple employee disputes at Kenya’s largest telecommunications company.
According to accounts circulating in recent days, staff members have raised concerns over alleged unfair dismissals and what they describe as a difficult working environment under her leadership.
Reports indicate that Safaricom currently has more than 40 employment-related cases pending in court. Some estimates suggest that if the company loses a significant number of these disputes, potential liabilities could approach KSh 500 million.
These figures come from insider accounts shared publicly and have prompted questions about how the company handles staff separations and workplace complaints.
Nyokabi joined Safaricom in April 2024 as Chief Human Resources Officer, taking over from Paul Kasimu. She brought more than 25 years of experience in human resources, including senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank across East and West Africa, as well as earlier positions at KPMG and other organisations. Her responsibilities include talent management, corporate culture, employee wellness, and overall people strategy for the company, which employs thousands of people.
Some current and former staff have claimed that decision-making around dismissals has become more rigid. There are also reports that Nyokabi has referred to strong support from senior leadership, including CEO Peter Ndegwa, which some employees interpret as limiting accountability for HR decisions.
One earlier court matter involving a former senior executive in the consumer division reportedly resulted in a KSh 5 million award related to constitutional rights issues, adding to the list of cases drawing attention.
These developments come at a time when Safaricom continues to play a major role in Kenya’s economy through mobile money, data services, and related businesses.
Employment disputes are not uncommon in large organisations, yet the volume of cases and the estimated financial exposure have led some observers to call for greater transparency around the company’s HR practices and the costs of defending such matters.
Safaricom has not issued a detailed public response to the specific allegations in the latest reports. The company has previously maintained that it follows established disciplinary procedures and labour laws when addressing staff conduct or performance issues.
Court records from individual cases show that outcomes vary, with some dismissals upheld and others resulting in awards to former employees.
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