Bob Collymore, chief executive officer of Safaricom PLC, has died from acute myeloid leukemia.
The company issued a statement, expressing its deep sorrow in announcing the passing of its CEO, Robert (Bob) William Collymore, who died at his home on the morning of 1 July 2019.
Safaricom went on to say that Collymore had received medical treatment for his cancer in the UK in October 2017, and had resumed his duties in 2018. His treatment continued in Kenya, but, sadly, his condition worsened in recent weeks, and he finally succumbed to the illness.
Collymore joined the company in August 2010 and his tenure was to end in August 2019. In May this year, he announced that the board had extended his stay at the helm of the company until August 2020.
The company’s board has confirmed it will soon announce management succession plans.
Chairman of the Board, Nicholas Nganga, reiterated that Collymore’s vision for the company will be considered in the impending new dispensation.
“We are clear that the company is in good hands, and will continue to offer all its services,” Nganga said. “The development and growth of the company is something that was very close to his heart and he had a vision of Safaricom as a much greater company than just a domestic Kenyan company.”
Nganga added that the journey to find a successor was already in place and the company would announce plans `in the next 24 hours’.
“We have been aware of this situation for some time and the board is fairly clear on where it wants to go long-term with the company’s leadership in the absence of Bob.”
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