Karen Basiye is an accomplished environmental scientist and corporate executive who has emerged as a leading voice in sustainable business practices across Africa.
Currently, the Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact, and the Foundations at Safaricom PLC, she seamlessly integrates the core principles of people, purpose, and profit into corporate strategy.
With over 17 years of experience, including an earlier role at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Basiye has been instrumental in positioning sustainability at the heart of Safaricom's operations, leading the development of the company's first sustainability reports and internal children's rights and business principles policy.
Her work is defined by a passion for driving change and bridging the digital divide through initiatives like "Citizens of the Future," which prepares Kenyan youth for a connected, digital world.
Her expertise and impactful leadership have not gone unnoticed. Basiye has been formally recognised as an SDG Pioneer by the UN Global Compact Network Kenya, an honour that celebrates business leaders using their position to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This accolade highlights her dedication to making global goals local business imperatives.
Furthermore, she serves on various strategic boards, including as the Vice Chair of the Environment Sector Board at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). An alumna of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Masters course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management, she holds joint master's degrees from a consortium of European universities, including the University of Manchester in the UK, reinforcing her strong academic foundation in her field.
In 2025, she was listed among the Top 25 Most Impactful C-Suite Executives (2025).