The CEO of Safaricom, Bob Collymore, is dead. He died after a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Here is an official statement from company’s Board Chairman Nicholas Nganga of the passing away of Collymore
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing away of Robert (Bob) William Collymore CEO of SAFARICOM. PLC, which occurred at his home in the morning of 1st July 2019.”
“In October 2017, Bob proceeded to the UK to receive treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and returned in July 2018 to resume duties. He has been undergoing treatment for this condition since then in different hospitals and most recently at Aga Khan University in Niarobi. In recent weeks his condition worsened and he succumbed to the cancer at his home in the early hours of Monday, 1st of July 2019”
“Bob Collymore leaves behind a wife and four children.”
“On behalf of the board of SAFARICOM.PLC, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, staff, partners and the nation at large who he served selflessly and with joy.”
Collymore joined Safaricom as the CEO after the retirement of the company’s founding CEO, Michael Joseph.
Though the Guyana-born British citizen started with a three-year contract, it had been renewed several times because of his success at the helm of affairs. It was extended again this year and was expected to leave finally in 2020.
Many Kenyans have been sending in condolence messages since they heard the news.
President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned the death of the celebrated telco boss.
“It is with deep sadness that I have this morning received news of the death of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore after years of battling cancer. As a country, we’ve lost a distinguished corporate leader whose contribution to our national wellbeing will be missed,” State House tweeted.
