Safaricom has made key leadership appointments aimed at accelerating growth within its Financial Services arm, bringing back two seasoned industry experts to spearhead its next phase of innovation and expansion.

In a strategic shake-up effective June 9, 2025, the telco giant announced the return of Victor Ngumo and Arthur Gichuru to take up critical roles that will shape the future of M-PESA and its ecosystem of agent, dealer, and merchant networks.

Victor Ngumo

Victor Ngumo makes a celebrated return to Safaricom as Tribe Lead – Commercial Growth, reporting directly to the Chief Financial Services Officer.

In this role, Ngumo will drive the company’s merchant and agent strategy, and oversee revenue growth through Safaricom’s vast distribution channels.

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Ngumo is no stranger to Safaricom or to M-PESA as he previously spent 17 years with the company, playing a vital role in launching some of its most iconic innovations.

He was instrumental in early M-PESA developments and also led various strategic portfolios including the SME segment, regional business units, and device distribution.

His most recent experience includes a stint at Airtel Africa as Director, Sales & Distribution – Kenya, and a period of collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to enhance digital financial services across Africa.

Ngumo holds a Business and Marketing degree from Daystar University and a Chartered Marketing Diploma from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Arthur Gichuru

Joining alongside Ngumo is Arthur Gichuru, now appointed as Tribe Lead – Payments.

Also reporting to the Chief Financial Services Officer, Gichuru will be tasked with evolving and scaling Safaricom’s payments infrastructure and M-PESA products — a critical engine for financial inclusion in Kenya.

Arthur brings with him over 20 years of fintech and banking experience, having most recently served as Chief Manager – Retail Digital Banking at Diamond Trust Bank, where he led key platforms like mobile and internet banking, as well as digital lending.

He also held executive roles at LOOP DFS, the digital arm of NCBA Bank, where he was instrumental in rolling out game-changing products like M-Shwari and Fuliza, products built in close partnership with Safaricom itself.

Notably, Arthur is rejoining Safaricom after an earlier tenure between 2014 and 2016, where he contributed to M-PESA’s strategy and product innovation.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyatta University, is pursuing a Master’s in Blockchain & Digital Currency from the University of Nicosia, and carries various certifications in digital marketing and product growth.

Continuity & Growth

The company also noted that Victor Odada, who has served as Tribe Lead – Payments since September 2023, is exploring a new opportunity within the Financial Services cluster.

Safaricom says it will make a formal announcement once discussions conclude.

These appointments signal Safaricom’s intent to build on the momentum of M-PESA, not just as a mobile money platform, but as a broad financial services ecosystem capable of driving economic transformation across Kenya and beyond.