Safaricom confirms Vodafone now owns 55% stake

Safaricom has officially confirmed that Vodafone Kenya Limited now holds a 55% stake in the company following the completion of a multi-billion-shilling transaction that fundamentally reshapes the ownership structure of Kenya’s most valuable listed firm.

The announcement, made on June 30, 2026, marks the conclusion of a process that began in December 2025 when Vodacom Group first signalled its intention to increase its effective interest in Safaricom.

The transaction, valued at US$2.1 billion (approximately KSh 272 billion), saw Vodacom acquire a 15% stake from the Government of Kenya, comprising 6,009,814,200 ordinary shares valued at KSh 204.3 billion, and an effective further 5% stake from Vodafone Group Plc at KSh 34 per share.

The shares were acquired through a block trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, marking one of the largest single transactions ever executed on the bourse. What is the new shareholding structure of Safaricom?

Following completion of the deal, the shareholding structure of Safaricom is as follows: Vodafone Kenya Limited now holds 55%, the government of Kenya retains 20%, and the general public investors hold the remaining 25%.

DCI summons UDA MP over Linda Mwananchi convoy attack​​ in Kisii

Court of Appeal rules on controversial Ruaraka land amid Ksh 1.7B compensation claim

Employment Court orders government to protect Kenyans working in the Middle East

Ruto offered me, Ichung’wa and Ndindi Nyoro 500 acres of land, Gachagua claims

Prior to the transaction, Vodafone Kenya held 40%, the government held 35%, and public investors held 25%.

Vodacom now holds approximately 22.01 billion shares, or 54.94% of Safaricom, while the National Treasury retains about 8.01 billion shares, equal to 20.00%, and other investors hold 10.04 billion shares, or 25.06%.

The transaction required multiple regulatory clearances before completion.

On June 29, 2026, the Capital Markets Authority granted Vodafone Kenya an exemption under Regulation 5(1) of the Capital Markets (Take-overs & Mergers) Regulations, 2002, from the requirement to make a mandatory takeover offer to Safaricom’s shareholders.

Normally, such an increase in control would trigger a mandatory offer to all minority shareholders, but the regulator allowed the company to bypass this step.

On June 26, 2026, the Court of Appeal (Nairobi) lifted a conservatory order that had previously blocked the transaction, paving the way for the sale to proceed.

Aliko Dangote unveils plans for 700,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in Kenya

“I left the 2022 gubernatorial seat for you because Baba asked” – Wandayi hits back at Orengo

‘We’ll monitor your activities every minute until 2027’ – Murkomen warns Gachagua

Government announces South Korea scholarship opportunities for Kenyan students