Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, has dismissed 113 employees during the financial year ending March 2024, representing approximately 2 percent of its total workforce.
According to Safaricom’s 2024 Sustainability Report, released in October, the dismissals were part of an internal effort to strengthen accountability, enhance performance, and align the workforce with evolving strategic priorities.
“During the year ended March 2024, Safaricom dismissed 113 employees, representing 2% of the total workforce,” read part of their report.
Internal Measures and Policy Alignment-Safaricom
The move marks one of the company’s most significant internal actions in recent years, driven by performance-related issues, disciplinary cases, and organizational restructuring.
“These exits were attributed to various reasons, including performance issues, disciplinary actions, and restructuring initiatives aimed at aligning talent with strategic priorities,” Safaricom noted.
The company noted that all exits followed due process under Kenyan labor laws and internal human resource policies to ensure fairness and transparency.
“All disciplinary and performance-related exits were undertaken in line with the company’s code of conduct and relevant employment laws,” the report stated.
The telecommunications giant has been working to maintain a high-performance culture while adjusting to technological shifts and increasing market competition.
According to its report, part of the restructuring focused on matching employee skills with emerging business needs, especially in digital innovation, cybersecurity, and customer experience.
Broader Efforts on Governance and Compliance
The report emphasized that the dismissals were not isolated incidents but part of a broader commitment to governance and ethical compliance.
Also Read: Peter Ndegwa Speaks on Govt Plan to Split Safaricom into Three Separate Firms
According to the listed telco, the firm has implemented internal monitoring systems designed to identify performance gaps, manage misconduct, and strengthen adherence to company policies.
“Safaricom continues to uphold a culture of integrity and transparency by enforcing strong internal controls and fair disciplinary mechanisms,” the company noted.
Beyond dismissals, the company has invested heavily in employee engagement, training, and mentorship programs aimed at reducing future exits.
These initiatives aim to enhance professional growth, improve workplace satisfaction, and promote mental well-being across all departments.
Ongoing Investment in Employee Development
Despite the dismissals, the company reiterated its commitment to nurturing talent and building a resilient workforce.
As highlighted, the firm continues to run leadership development programs, technical training sessions, and employee recognition initiatives to improve retention and performance.
The company’s management stated that efforts are ongoing to foster an environment where innovation and accountability coexist.
Also Read: Safaricom to Close Select Shops Temporarily Nationwide
“Through continuous evaluation of performance systems, Safaricom aims to ensure that future workforce adjustments are data-driven and strategically focused,” read the report.
Sector-Wide Concern in Kenya’s Financial Industry
Safaricom’s struggle with internal fraud mirrors a wider challenge within Kenya’s financial sector.
In 2024, KCB Group terminated 34 employees over cases of fraud and negligence uncovered through internal investigations into operational malpractice.
The lender also managed to block 339 fraud attempts that year, safeguarding customer funds worth more than Ksh 212.9 million, an increase from the 249 incidents in 2023.
In another case, Equity Group dismissed over 1,200 employees in 2024 after uncovering elaborate payroll and M-Pesa fraud schemes that resulted in losses exceeding KSh1.5 billion.
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