Bitcoin startup BitPesa board member leaves to join Kenyan government

Nairobi-based tech news site TechMoran reported today that Joe Mucheru , a former regional director at Google and now the head of the Kenyan government’s information technology and communications technology department, has resigned from the BitPesa board and transferred his shares to prevent any conflicts of interest.

According to local media reports, Mucheru appeared on the cabinet list in November , which was also a major move in the cabinet reshuffle of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta .

Mucheru told TechMoran :

“ I have formally resigned from the BitPesa board and I have transferred my shares. This process is ongoing. ”

Mucheru also reportedly transferred shares in home entertainment company Wananchi Group .

BitPesa co-founder and CEO Elizabeth Rossielo confirmed the news of Mucheru’s departure.

“Joe Mucheru has been an integral part of the BitPesa story from the beginning and we wish him all the best in the next phase of his career. ”

BitPesa raised $ 1.1 million in funding last year in an attempt to use Bitcoin to change the local remittance market. BitPesa currently serves consumers in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

However, bitcoin startup BitPesa and its partner Lipisha have taken Kenya-based mobile payments giant Safaricom to court in the High Court of Kenya .

BitPesa has sued Safaricom for “ intimidate ” its gateway partner, Lipisha , into suspending its services without any notice.