Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore dies aged 61

What you need to know:

  • The Guyanese-born British citizen took a medical leave in October 2017 to fight cancer.

Safaricom chief executive officer Bob Collymore has died at the age of 61 at his home in Nairobi early Monday morning.

The Guyanese-born British citizen took a medical leave in October 2017 to fight cancer.

"He has been undergoing treatment for his 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 the cancer at his home in the early hours of Monday," Safaricom chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a said in a statement.

A screen grab of the Safaricom statement following CEO Bob Collymore's death. PHOTO | TWITTER

CONDOLENCES

President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the first leaders to mourn Collymore's death, noting that the country has lost a distinguished corporate leader.

“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,” said President Kenyatta in a tweet on Monday.

In December 2018, Mr Kenyatta appointed Collymore a member of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board for a three-year term.

In May this year, Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki appointed Collymore to the National Cancer Institute board.

Deputy President William Ruto praised Collymore as a "distinguished corporate titan" whose leadership helped the telco scale new height.

"Collymore was exemplary, brilliant and courageous, especially in the manner he battled cancer. Condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. Rest In Peace," said DP Ruto in his condolence message to Collymore's family, colleagues and friends.

Collymore is survived by wife Wambui Kamiru and four children.

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