Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore died at his home early this morning, July 1, 2019, Safaricom chairman Nicholas Nganga said in a press statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing away of Robert (Bob) William Collymore CEO if SAFARICOM. PLC, which occurred at his home in the morning of 1st July 2019,” read part of the statement.
“In October 2017, Bob proceeded to the U.K. 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 Hospital in Nairobi. In recent weeks, his condition worsened and he succumbed to cancer at his home in the early hours of Monday 1st July 2019,” reads a statement from the carrier.
President Uhuru Kenyatta also released a statement mourning the death of Mr. Collymore citing that we have ‘lost a distinguished corporate leader whose contribution to our national wellbeing will be missed.’
“It is with deep sadness that I have this morning received news of the death of Safaricom CEO Mr. 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,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Collymore who was appointed CEO at Safaricom in 2010, had earlier indicated he would leave his post as Safaricom CEO in August 2019. And in early May, he was appointed as a board member for the National Cancer Institute through a gazette notice.
Although on May 23, his contract with Safaricom was extended by a year to compensate for the time he was away on medical leave, thus being scheduled to leave the telco in 2020.
The Guyanese-born British citizen died at the age of 61 and is survived with one wife and four children.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.