Peter Ndegwa has served as the chief executive of Safaricom since 2020, becoming the first Kenyan to hold the top role at the country’s largest mobile network operator. In recent days, questions have surfaced about how he has managed the company and about the involvement of his wife, Jemimah, in some of its work.
These questions come from claims circulating online and in local reporting, and they focus mainly on internal decisions and possible conflicts of interest.
According to claims raised by Cyprian Nyakundi, Ndegwa removed several members of Safaricom’s executive committee who objected to the handling of customers’ personal data. The reports suggest he was angered by their resistance and that their departure left him with greater freedom to direct the company without internal pushback. Safaricom holds large amounts of sensitive information about millions of Kenyans, including call records and location details. Any suggestion that data was shared improperly or that managers who raised concerns were sidelined naturally draws public attention, especially after earlier controversies linked to the 2024 protests.
Attention has also turned to Jemimah Ndegwa. She is said to operate from London and to handle aspects of Safaricom’s branding, including design and printing work. The arrangement has prompted questions about how the contracts were awarded, which companies received the business, and whether proper procurement rules were followed.
Critics argue that work given to a close family member of the chief executive raises the possibility of a conflict of interest. They want to know who approved the deals and whether the process was open and competitive. Again, these points are presented as concerns rather than proven facts, and Safaricom has not publicly clarified the matter.
Ndegwa and his wife have been in the public eye before. When he was appointed in 2019, Jemimah wrote warmly about his hard work, integrity and the long hours he had put in over the years.
The couple have one child, and she has described herself as supportive of his career. That earlier image of a close and encouraging partnership now sits alongside the newer questions about professional boundaries inside the company.
For many Kenyans, Safaricom is more than a phone company. It is central to daily life through M-Pesa and mobile services. When questions arise about the chief executive’s decisions and the role of his spouse in company contracts, people understandably want clear answers.
The issues of data protection and fair procurement touch on trust. Until Safaricom or the individuals involved provide a full public account, the claims will continue to circulate and invite further scrutiny of how the company is run at the highest level.
