Kenyans on Twitter, popularly referred to as KOT are up in arms over remarks made on Thursday by Safaricom interim CEO Michael Joseph at the late Bob Collymore’s memorial service.
Michael Joseph took to the podium to eulogize his late friend and colleague. He described his admiration for the man (Collymore), who had led him to change his (Joseph) perception of him over the 15 years they have been acquainted.
It was his selection of words to describe this that has stirred up controversy. Mr. Joseph said, “Over the last 15 years I went from being amused by this white man in a black body pretending to be a very serious corporate person to really becoming a serious corporate leader.”
It is certain that he meant the statement as a complement; what is uncertain is whether he was implying that the late Collymore’s inner whiteness made him a better or quote, serious corporate leader, than other executives of African origin who may quote, be pretending to be serious corporate people.
From this statement Kenyans online are accusing the former and acting CEO of racism, with many inferring that this is the reason for the firm’s difficulty in finding a Kenyan executive to fill the firm’s recently available CEO role.
Twitter user Raymond Matata,(@raymondmtetezi) said, “Michael Joseph, while eulogising Bob Collymore, said Bob “was a white man in a black body”…what !!OUTRIGHT RACISM!!!
May bob rest in peace.#BobcollymoreRIP.” Helen Anyiso Otolo (@Hotolo) said “Did I just hear Michael Joseph refer to @bobcollymore as “A white man in a black body.”?… Maybe Michael Joseph should have just read the bloody poem and sat down.”
Many more users have expressed similar views, with others expressing confusion about what to infer from the statement. Mwalimu Kahato (@Ganjoka) said, “White man in a black body – who said these words and what do they infer?”
Related article: Safaricom appoints former CEO Michael Joseph as interim CEO
On top of the racially charged controversy, Safaricom social media handles posted a series of anti-government tweets on Thursday.
One of the tweets, which have since been deleted read, “Let the government first improve management in @nhifkenya @kenyaAirways, @kenyapipeline, @MumiasSugarCo and many more that have deliberately been run down by state appointees before they can think of imposing their choice on @SafaricomPLC”.
The firm has since blamed the ill thought out tweets on a ‘glitch’.
