Telecoms Giant Bob Collymore Dies of Cancer at 61

KENYA: Kenya telecoms giant Bob Collymore has died of cancer at the age of 61, on Monday.

He was Chief Executive officer of Kenya’s largest mobile service provider, Safaricom.

CEO Safaricom

Safaricom PLC has announced with sorry the demise of their beloved CEO Bob Collymore.

They have extended their condolences to his family, colleagues, partners and nation at large.

Our beloved CEO @bobcollymore has passed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, our colleagues, partners and the nation at large. pic.twitter.com/NHxgWAemcT
— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) July 1, 2019

The statement issued by Safaricom states Bob Collymore passed away in his home on the morning of July 1, 2019.

The statement reads he had proceeded to the UK in October 2017 for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He resumed his duties in July 2018.

He had been receiving treatments from different hospitals since than. However his condition worsened in past few weeks.

Most recently he was being treated at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.

He is left behind four children and a wife.

Bob Collymore

Raila Odinga official page (Prime Minister 2008-2013) |African Union High Representative For infrastructure Development has expressed their condolence.

My condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr Bob Collymore as well as the entire Safaricom fraternity.
Bob served our country with dedication and sustained us as a communication hub in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

My condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr Bob Collymore as well as the entire Safaricom fraternity.
Bob served our country with dedication and sustained us as a communication hub in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 1, 2019

Deputy President, Republic of Kenya William Samoei Ruto

Bob Collymore was a distinguished corporate titan, whose shrewd leadership at the helm of Safaricom was commendable. He steered the company to new heights and contributed immensely to the evolution of Kenya’s corporate scene.

Bob Collymore was a distinguished corporate titan, whose shrewd leadership at the helm of Safaricom was commendable. He steered the company to new heights and contributed immensely to the evolution of Kenya's corporate scene.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 1, 2019

State House Kenya has expressed their sorrow

“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” ~ H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta

"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" ~ H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) July 1, 2019

Bob Collymore A Cool CEO

A cool CEO who impacted Kenya’s corporate scene and Kenyans at large too … Rest In Peace Bob Collymore. pic.twitter.com/GdUAzJZtXp
— 🇵🇸 (@QuitePeter) July 1, 2019

The Guyanese-born British businessman joined the company in 2010 and has been praised for driving Safaricom innovative mobile payment system, M-Pesa.

Governor Hassan Joho has written on his tweeter account

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing on of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. His leadership at the most successful company in Kenya will greatly be missed. My condolences go out his family and the entire Safaricom fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing on of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. His leadership at the most successful company in Kenya will greatly be missed. My condolences go out his family and the entire Safaricom fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/v1v7F7l3k7
— Hassan Ali Joho, EGH. (@HassanAliJoho) July 1, 2019

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