John Ngumi resigns as Safaricom board chairman, advocate Adil Khawaja appointed director
John Ngumi has stepped down as Safaricom board chairman and director barely five months after his appointment.
According to a statement from the telco company, Ngumi’s resignation took effect on December 22, and since his appointment on August 1,2022.
“The board announces the resignation of John Ngumi as a director and consequently as the chairman of the board with effect from 22nd December 2022. The new chairman will be elected by the board of directors in the coming weeks,” read a statement by Company Secretary Kathryne Maundu.
The company attributed Ngumi’s resignation to a new role in the development of green energy across the continent.
“In the brief period following his appointment to the Board, John has provided a wealth of industry knowledge and vast expertise. He has steered the Company through a general election and supported the entrenchment of our purpose of transforming lives through our products and services as well as within the communities we serve,”
As part of the new board changes, Safaricom also announced the appointment of Adil Arshed Khawaja (MBS) as a Director at the firm with effect from December 22.
“The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Adil Arshed Khawaja (MB 5) as a Director in Safaricom PLC with effect from 22nd December 2022 (now past). The appointment which was approved by the Board of Directors on 5th January 2023, is subject to regulatory approval,” the statement added.
Adil is a highly distinguished advocate of the High Court of Kenya and boasts of over 30 years work experience in the legal profession.
He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Dentons Hamilton Harrison and Mathews, the oldest law firm in the country, established in 1902.
He currently serves on various boards which include Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, Al Futtaim Avtomotive-CMC Motors Group Limited and Atva Enkop Africa Limited.
He previously served as a director of KCB Bank Group from 2012 and was elected the first chairman of KCB Bank Kenya limited from 2016 until 2020 when his tenure ended.
He has also served as a director on the board of Kenya Power and Lighting Company and as a Trustee of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
