Safaricom fined over Ksh.200M for poor services

Mobile service provider Safaricom paid close to three hundred million shillings in fines last year for poor quality services last year.

According to the firm’s latest sustainability report, the telco coughed up two hundred and ninety three million five hundred and twenty seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty six shillings last year for failing to meet a series of quality of service tests by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

The fine represents an increase of forty six point five percent, compared to a hundred and fifty seven million shillings imposed for non-compliance in 2016.

The report further shows the giant telecommunications firm’s contribution to the economy which is more than six percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

During the same period, forty three employees were dismissed for fraud, this representing a seven percent decline in staff members found culpable.

“Some could be conflict of interest where someone has failed to disclose they have a business adjacent to Safaricom, we don’t tolerate IT… If it is a case where they have interfered with assets of the company or customers assets, yes they are prosecuted and Safaricom provides evidence,” said Steve Chege- Corporate Affairs Director, Safaricom.

Carbon emissions by the listed firm also went up five percent last year and attributed to an increase in its base stations across the country.

M-Pesa’s social impact was also noted in the report as having increased by 20 per cent.

This in demonstration of the role it continues to play in Kenya’s financial services sector.