Safaricom has appointed Frankline Okata as Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, replacing Cynthia Karuri-Kropac, who left the company on 4 July 2025. Okata’s appointment took effect the following day.
“I have appointed Frankline Okata, currently the Tribe Lead – Packaged Solutions, as the Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, effective 5th July 2025,” read an internal memo from CEO Peter Ndegwa.
This marks the fourth leadership change in the enterprise division since CEO Peter Ndegwa took office in April 2020. Karuri-Kropac had held the role since September 2022.
Okata, who joined Safaricom in 2006 as a customer care representative, has spent the last decade in various enterprise-focused roles. He was seconded to Safaricom Ethiopia in 2022 to lead merchant payments, before returning in 2024 to head packaged solutions for small businesses.
Safaricom’s enterprise unit is responsible for business services ranging from connectivity to cloud and IoT offerings. Karuri-Kropac’s tenure included revamping Safaricom Business branding and expanding into digital solutions for MSMEs and county governments.
One insider familiar with the changes said Karuri-Kropac’s departure was internally expected. Safaricom did clarify whether her exit was voluntary.
