Safaricom Taps Bank MD to Replace Joe Ogutu

Safaricom on Wednesday, May 4 announced the appointment of long-serving Citibank Kenya Managing Director Michael Mutiga as the company’s new Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer.

He takes over from Joe Ogutu who recently retired. Ogutu was serving as Chief of Special Projects and Acting Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer.

Mutiga has been with Citibank for the past fifteen years. He has served as the bank’s Managing Director and Head of Corporate Finance for Sub-Saharan Africa since 2019.

Before joining Citibank in 2006, Mutiga had risen through the ranks at Barclays/Absa Capital. He rose from a Management Associate to the Regional Coverage Head – East Africa, Investment Banking Division, Africa.

He is the holder of a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi (UoN), and a Masters in Law degree from Temple University. He is an advocate and a certified public secretary.

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At Safaricom, he will be tasked with shaping the business strategy of East Africa’s most-profitable company, including acquisitions.

He is expected to be a key cog in the company’s ongoing evolution from a telco to a ‘purpose-led technology company’. The company has been embedding itself in users lifestyles by expanding its capabilities – particularly in the financial services space through integrations on their market-leading mobile money platform M-Pesa.

Mutiga will also take up a seat on Safaricom’s Executive Council. Ogutu, whom he’ll be replacing, continues to serve as Chairman of Safaricom Foundation.

“The hallmark of Joe’s career and contribution to the success of Safaricom was his absolute willingness to step into an unexpected role whenever requested. All the CEOs of Safaricom from Michael, to Bob, through to myself, relied on Joe in many situations and he never failed to live up to our expectations,” CEO Peter Ndegwa stated.

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