Safaricom has dismissed over 100 employees in the fiscal year ending 2024 as part an internal effort to strengthen accountability and enhance performance.
According to Safaricom’s 2024 sustainability report released on Wednesday, the telco dismissed 113 staff in 2024, a rise from 95 in the previous year.
“During the year ended March 2024, Safaricom dismissed 113 employees, representing 2% of the total workforce,” read part of their report.
The telco attributed the dismissals to various reasons, including performance issues, disciplinary actions, and restructuring initiatives aimed at aligning talent with strategic priorities.
Some of the exits were as a result of internal fraud. Safaricom categorizes internal fraud into three main areas: policy breaches, identity theft, and asset misappropriation. Policy breaches include offenses such as bypassing company procedures, issuing unauthorized M-Pesa start keys, leaking confidential data, or accessing internal systems without permission.
Identity theft covers SIM swaps, use of fake identification documents, and collusion between employees and external actors while asset misappropriation refers to the misuse of company resources, including inflated overtime claims, cash handling discrepancies, and irregular redemption of Bonga loyalty points.
Safaricom’s true value hits Shs1.1 Trillion in 2025 sustainable business report
Although the company has not disclosed the number of fraud cases it investigated in 2024, several involved SIM-swap fraud. These occur when fraudsters deceive the telecom provider into transferring an existing customer’s phone number to a different SIM card under their control.
Once that is done, they may intercept calls, messages, or security codes linked to mobile money or banking.
To curb such cases and ensure compliance with the company’s operation policies, Safaricom has implemented internal monitoring systems designed to identify performance gaps, manage misconduct, and strengthen adherence to company policies.
“Throughout FY25, we strengthened our fraud detection systems, reaffirmed our commitment to data protection, and expanded ethical training for staff and partners,” Safaricom said in the report.
“Our approach centered on safeguarding customer trust, maintaining operational integrity, and upholding high standards of accountability in uncertain conditions.”
Beyond dismissals, the company has invested heavily in employee engagement, training, and mentorship programs aimed at reducing future exits.
