Safaricom stamps authority at 'FiRe' awards event

Nairobi; Kenya: Safaricom emerged the overall winner in the annual Financial Reporting Award, FiRe, stamping its authority on the country's competitive corporate sector.

The mobile service provider bagged four awards in a gala held on Friday to fete companies that have excelled in financial reporting.

Safaricom's triumph over 125 other companies is another feather in its cap having been declared the country's best taxpayer barely four days ago.

National Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said performance of private sector players in financial reporting has improved over the past and the Government would continue supporting similar efforts. "The Government is committed to promoting high standards of financial reporting and good corporate governance in the private sector."

Safaricom won in four of the 19 categories including best listed company, best entity in compliance with IFRS requirements, overall winner in the region and in the country. Barclay's bank also emerged the winner in the best bank in financial reporting category, beating Kenya Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered and Diamond Trust Bank.

Other winners were UAP insurance, Sameer, Williamson Tea Kenya, Kenya Power, Stima Sacco and Microskills IT Kenya.