Safaricom's Chief Special Projects Officer, Joseph Ogutu, has called for expanded public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate economic development, framing such collaborations as essential to achieving national progress.
Ogutu emphasized that private sector involvement is critical to fostering social stability and supporting Kenya's Big Four Agenda, which prioritizes manufacturing, affordable housing, food security, and universal healthcare. 'Without addressing the basic needs of citizens, our businesses cannot thrive,' he stated during a speech at the Sixth Annual Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga County.
The conference, attended by 6,000 delegates and opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta, featured Safaricom's M-Tiba initiative as a case study. This mobile health savings platform enables users to pool funds for medical expenses, reducing financial strain during health crises.
As platinum sponsor of the event, Safaricom positioned itself as a key partner in advancing devolution goals through technology-driven solutions. Ogutu noted that 'economic growth cannot be separated from the well-being of the people who sustain it.'
