
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has explained the government's decision to reduce its stake in Safaricom from 35 percent to 20 percent, stating that the government was already a minority shareholder prior to this transaction. He addressed the press on July 4, defending the move as part of the government's strategy regarding its investment in the telecommunications company.
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The National Treasury of Kenya is set to receive Sh204.3 billion from the sale of a 20 percent stake in Safaricom, according to Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. The government sold over 6 billion ordinary shares to Vodacom at Sh34 per share, following a Court of Appeal ruling that cleared the deal. This acquisition increases Vodacom's ownership in Safaricom PLC to 55 percent, establishing it as the majority shareholder.
Nairobi Wire·July 3, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Mbadi defended the sale of Safaricom's stake, stating that the proceeds will be used to fund infrastructure projects rather than the budget. He responded to opposition criticism by asserting that the divestiture was a planned policy decision made in compliance with the law, following the Court of Appeal's lifting of conservatory orders that had previously paused the transaction.
Capital FM (KE)·July 4, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Vodacom has gained majority control of Safaricom, acquiring a 55% stake in the company. This development comes alongside the Communications Authority's decision to penalise telecommunications companies for subpar service. Additionally, MTN has stated that protests regarding migration have not affected its operations, according to Techpoint Africa.
Techpoint Africa·July 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM
On June 30, 2026, Vodacom Group of South Africa finalized the acquisition of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom Plc, marking the largest transaction in the history of the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This deal has raised concerns as it is reported that KES 437 billion was left unclaimed, and the CEO of Safaricom has remained silent throughout the process, according to Kenya Insights.
Kenya Insights·July 1, 2026 at 8:08 AM
On June 30, 2026, Vodacom Group finalized its acquisition of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom Plc, marking the largest transaction in the history of the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This deal concluded despite efforts from courts and petitioners to delay it, raising concerns among the public regarding the implications of the sale and the lack of communication from Safaricom's CEO.
Kenya Insights·June 30, 2026 at 2:09 PM
According to TechTrends KE, South African firms have announced over Sh400 billion in acquisitions, raising questions about their investment focus on Kenya. This trend is attributed to Kenya's economic growth, as East Africa is reportedly outperforming many larger African economies. The recent transactions indicate a strategic interest in the region by South African companies.
TechTrends KE·June 24, 2026 at 2:10 PM