Safaricom Appoints Florence Nyokabi as New HR Chief

:Safaricom has appointed Florence Nyokabi as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This strategic move aims to enhance talent management and employee engagement as the company expands in East Africa. With her extensive experience from Absa Bank Kenya, Nyokabi will succeed Paul Kasimu, focusing on workforce efficiency and supporting Safaricom’s growth in financial services and e-commerce.

 By Charles Wachira

In a significant leadership change, Safaricom has appointed Florence Nyokabi as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Nyokabi’s entry into the role comes at a pivotal moment as the telecommunications giant continues to expand its footprint across East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, and seeks to maintain its position as Kenya’s leading tech-driven employer.

Background and Experience Florence Nyokabi steps into the role with extensive HR experience, having previously worked as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Absa Bank Kenya. At Absa, she was instrumental in spearheading key talent management strategies, enhancing workforce efficiency, and driving a culture of inclusion. Her leadership in managing human capital played a crucial role in navigating the bank’s successful rebranding from Barclays to Absa, a transformative period marked by cultural shifts and the need for robust employee engagement.

Her experience in banking, especially during times of transition, aligns well with Safaricom’s current trajectory, as the company undergoes significant operational and strategic changes. Safaricom is expanding its services beyond mobile telecommunications into areas such as financial services (M-Pesa), health, and e-commerce, requiring the kind of HR leadership that can handle scaling teams, talent acquisition, and aligning employee skills with the company’s evolving goals.

Replacing Paul Kasimu Nyokabi takes over from Paul Kasimu, who served as Safaricom’s HR Chief for nearly five years before his departure in early 2024. Kasimu was instrumental in fostering a culture of agility and innovation within the company, and he successfully implemented the “Safaricom Agile Transformation” initiative, which aimed to streamline operations and promote a flexible working environment. His tenure also saw Safaricom become one of the most attractive employers in Kenya, consistently ranked high in employee satisfaction and corporate reputation surveys.

Kasimu stepped down from the position to pursue personal interests, leaving behind a legacy of modern HR practices that Florence Nyokabi will now have to build upon. Under his leadership, Safaricom pioneered employee wellness programs and diversity initiatives, including efforts to ensure gender balance in leadership positions.

What Safaricom Will Seek From Nyokabi Safaricom’s ambitions in Ethiopia, where it launched services in 2022, have placed significant demands on its workforce. The company is seeking to expand its operations and replicate its success in Kenya, which necessitates strong leadership in human resources to manage recruitment, retain top talent, and foster a cohesive work culture across borders.

Nyokabi’s role will likely focus on ensuring that Safaricom’s workforce remains agile and innovative as the company diversifies its service offerings. She will be tasked with developing strategies that maintain high levels of employee engagement while driving productivity in an increasingly competitive market. Moreover, Safaricom is likely to depend on her expertise to manage the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation, which are reshaping the future of work globally.

Her background in inclusion and employee development will also be vital as Safaricom continues to emphasize diversity and inclusion within its workforce. The company has been a leader in promoting women to leadership roles, and with Nyokabi at the helm of HR, it is expected to continue being a trailblazer in equitable employment practices.

Furthermore, as Safaricom expands geographically and diversifies into new industries, Nyokabi’s ability to handle change management will be critical. Safaricom will be looking to her to ensure a smooth transition as it implements new business models and to cultivate a workforce that is both technically proficient and adaptable.

The Road Ahead Florence Nyokabi’s appointment comes at a time when Safaricom is on a path of strategic transformation. With her extensive HR experience and leadership acumen, Safaricom will look to her to drive an employee-first culture, ensure seamless talent management, and align the workforce with the company’s broader goals in East Africa’s fast-evolving market. Her challenge will be not only to maintain Safaricom’s reputation as an employer of choice but also to enhance it as the company navigates new territories and industries.

As Safaricom pushes forward with its ambitious plans, Nyokabi’s leadership will be integral in ensuring that its human capital remains a key driver of innovation and success.

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