Former Flutterwave VP Leon Kiptum passes on 

Leon Kiptum Kidombo, former Senior Vice President for East Africa at Flutterwave, has passed away after recently stepping down from his position at Flutterwave in June 2025, citing the need to focus on his personal well-being and health.

He died on the night of Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the age of 44, leaving a significant void in the region’s burgeoning fintech ecosystem.

Kiptum, who joined Flutterwave in mid‑2023, played an instrumental role in deepening the company’s presence across East African markets. He spearheaded enterprise partnerships with banks, regulatory bodies, and corporate clients, firmly establishing Flutterwave’s enterprise division in Kenya and beyond.

In June 2025, just two months before his passing, Kiptum stepped down from his corporate role to focus on his health and personal growth. In a reflective LinkedIn post, he explained:

“After two impactful years, I’ve decided to exit Flutterwave. This decision stems from a blend of personal and professional aspirations, including prioritizing my health journey, which many in my network know I’ve been actively addressing…”

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Beyond his leadership at Flutterwave, Kiptum had served as Country Director for Kenya at Chipper Cash between September 2020 and June 2023. He was part of the company’s executive team during its high-growth phase, but was among those laid off in the startup’s fourth round of workforce reductions in 2023. Kiptum served on the Board of the Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFIK), where he chaired the Marketing, Membership & Partnerships Committee. In that capacity, he advocated for stronger industry coordination, improved advocacy, and broader inclusion across the fintech sector. 

He also co‑founded Rigour Africa and CDI Africa, through which he worked as a certified coach and leadership consultant. Kiptum mentored executives and founders into scaling businesses and navigating leadership challenges across sectors.

Kiptum was a prolific voice on leadership, innovation, and Africa’s digital economy. His passing prompted heartfelt tributes from colleagues and peers.

“Leon was a true leader who helped shape our presence in East Africa… his legacy will live on…” — Flutterwave wrote in an official statement.

Kiptum is survived by his three children, two sons and a daughter, whom he frequently described as his greatest motivation.