Kenyans have been paying tribute to Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore who has died after a long battle with cancer.
Safaricom Plc, Kenya’s biggest telecoms company confirmed the death of Collymore on Monday.
Robert William Collymore as he is well known by died after a nearly two-year long battle with cancer.
In a statement the company said “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.”
He was diagnosed of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2017, and had been undergoing treatment for the condition, according to the company.
The statement noted that “In recent weeks, his condition worsened and he succumbed to the cancer at his home in the early hours of Monday…”.
Collymore, 61 was due to step down in August after nine years in charge of the company.
Impact of his service
He played a key role in the company’s growth. Safaricom’s share price rose by more than 400% during his tenure.
South Africa’s Vodacom owns 35% stake in Safaricom, Britain’s Vodafone also has a 5% stake and the Kenyan government owns 35% shares.
The company controls about 62% of Kenya’s mobile market, with 30 million subscribers.
President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement that “As a country, we’ve 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 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
Other Kenyans have also paid their tribute.
Collymore was exemplary, brilliant and courageous, especially in the manner he battled cancer. Condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. Rest In Peace.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 1, 2019
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
Source: Africafeeds.com
