Safaricom PLC has announced the return of Stephen Chege to the company as Group Chief External Affairs Officer, overseeing operations in both Kenya and Ethiopia.
“Join us in welcoming back Steve Chege, who rejoins the Safaricom family as Group Chief External Affairs Officer supporting both Kenya and Safaricom ET,” Safaricom announced.
In this expanded position, Chege will oversee Regulatory, External and Corporate Affairs, Public Policy, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Group Corporate Social Investments, ESG & Sustainability, and the integration of purpose across the company’s operations.
His mandate spans Safaricom Group and its subsidiaries, including Safaricom Ethiopia.
Stephen Chege Career Background
Prior to this appointment, Stephen served as the Chief External Affairs Officer at Vodacom Group from November 2021 to September 2025.
In this capacity, Chege was responsible for Vodacom’s operations in South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as Vodafone Ghana.
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From November 2018 to October 2021, Chege served as the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, a role in which he led Safaricom’s external affairs and stakeholder engagement.
His responsibilities covered Regulatory and Public Policy, Legal and Secretarial Services, Corporate Communications, Corporate Responsibility, as well as International Carriers and Roaming.
Before that, from April 2015 to October 2018, Stephen served as Director of Corporate Affairs, reporting directly to the CEO.
In this role, he oversaw Safaricom’s engagement strategy with government, industry, and other stakeholders both locally and internationally.
Earlier, between July 2011 and April 2015, he held the position of Head of Regulatory and Public Policy. In this capacity, Stephen managed Safaricom’s engagement with regulators and the government on licensing.
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Educational Background
Stephen holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Trade and Investment Law and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), both from the University of Nairobi.
He also holds a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
With over 17 years of experience in telecommunications, including a stint at Vodafone Group UK, Stephen has played a pivotal role in advancing regulatory frameworks, promoting corporate responsibility, and building strategic partnerships that foster growth and sustainability across Africa’s telecom sector.
Achievements
Stephen Chege was appointed a Commissioner for Oaths in May 2004 under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, Chapter 15 of the Laws of Kenya.
He was also commissioned as a Notary Public under the Notaries Public Act, Chapter 17 of the Laws of Kenya in the same year.
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