This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Published on August 6, 2019, the death of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore marked a sad day for Kenya. He was a man who engaged directly with his followers on social media, listening to their needs and concerns.
Collymore's tenure at Safaricom changed the face of Kenya, making it the largest telecom firm in the country and one of the nation's biggest employers. The company has been recognized as a top place to work in Africa, with employee satisfaction far higher than average.
Under Collymore's leadership, Safaricom became an integral part of Kenya's national identity. The company's 35% state share means it plays a significant role in its management. Recently, Safaricom made changes that will affect millions of Kenyans for the better, including cutting data prices by 42% to open up the market to competition and grow user numbers and connectivity.
While telecom firms in other African countries have also cut their prices, none have done so at the scale of Safaricom. The company's commitment to drive digital inclusion is crucial in developing goals and making them available at affordable and sustainable prices.
As more Kenyans gain access to the internet, the development will increasingly align with the rapidly changing industrialized world of the 21st century. Access to the internet stimulates the gig economy, which employs millions of Kenyans in various jobs such as driving for ride-sharing apps or other freelance work.
The State has done a good job of lowering prices by bringing competition to the market. Rather than controlling the telecommunications market, let the market forces take control, which will up competition, offer better quality, and lower prices.
As President Uhuru's Big Four plan aims to achieve, the private sector must play its part and fairly. The writer is an advisor to the CS for Devolution and ASALs.
