By Mark Kawalya
Safaricom PLC has hired Cynthia Karuri Kropac as Chief Enterprise Business Officer, a position she will fill as of September 1,2022. This position was previously held by Joseph Wanjohi in an acting capacity since May.
Wanjohi was taken on as the interim Chief Enterprise Business Officer in May following the position becoming vacant after the exit of Kris Senanu, less than a year after joining Safaricom PLC.
Before she was appointed, Karuri worked as the Senior Director, Enterprise Mobile and IoT Technologies, a role she held since 2019.
Karuri has a wealth of telecommunications experience spanning more than twenty years with knowledge in Industrial IoT, Enterprise Technology Solutions, Business Strategy, Executive Advisory and Decision Support, along with Operational Excellence and Process Reengineering.
Karuri has a Bachelor of Finance from The University of Toledo and a Masters in Business Administration specializing in Finance and Financial Management Service from Kent State University.
“With over 20 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector, Cynthia has a wealth of knowledge in various crafts, including business strategy, industrial IoT, enterprise technology solutions, executive advisory & decision support, operational excellence & process reengineering,” Safaricom said in a statement.
Karuri has previously been the recipient of awards including the top Supplier of the Year award for the world’s largest healthcare OEM, as well as being recognized by Women of Color Magazine as a Rising Star in STEM.
Karuri is also passionate about teaching and the general pursuit of learning. She has taught finance at community college level and is also a blogger with a focus on teaching financial literacy and planning.
Karuri joined Safaricom PLC after leaving US telecommunications company AT&T. The American company is the largest telecommunications firm in the world by revenue and the third largest mobile telephone service provider in the US. AT&T’s revenue was reported to be $156.933 billion for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2022.
