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Govt. mourns death of Guyana-born telecoms giant
The Ministry of Public Telecommunications has joined in mourning the passing of Guyana-born Robert Collymore.
“A telecoms giant has passed away. Guyanese Robert “Bob” Collymore served as Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom in Kenya. His company helped to revolutionize the Mobile Money Market in Kenya and the rest of Africa.”
According to the Ministry, Collymore insisted that Kenyans rely on the network for banking services via M-Pesa, the money service that helped propel Safaricom to its status as the first multibillion-dollar-a-year revenue company on the Nairobi bourse.
“Conscious of the incredible developmental work Bob had done in the Telecommunications Sector as Minister of Public Telecommunications, I had hoped to reconnect with him as he was interested in visiting his homeland. We at the Ministry were looking forward to him mentoring and sharing his vast international expertise, especially his mobile money platform experience.
Rest and sleep with the angels Bob Collymore, the Telecommunications Sector in Guyana and the world will miss you but remain ever grateful for your exceptional contribution,” Minister Cathy Hughes related.
The Safaricom chief executive officer died on Monday morning, July 1, at the age of 61 at his home in Nairobi after a long battle with cancer. He was interred at the crematorium in Kariokor, where only family and close friends were allowed to attend.
According to Safaricom chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a, a memorial service is planned for later this week.
Collymore is survived by wife Wambui Kamiru and four children.
Dead: Robert ‘Bob’ Collymore
Collymore’s widow Wambui Kamiru and his mother led family members in viewing the body at Lee Funeral Hospital. Photo: Standard. (www.tuko.co.ke)
President Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in mourning the passing of Collymore.
In October 2017, Collymore went to the UK to receive treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and returned in July 2018 to resume duties.
The President added that Collymore was an accomplished corporate leader who steered Safaricom to a position of great admiration as East Africa’s most profitable company.
Deputy President William Ruto described Collymore as a distinguished corporate titan, whose leadership at the helm of Safaricom was commendable.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga noted that; “Bob served our country with dedication and sustained us as a communication hub in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Former Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo wrote; “Go well my friend, Bob Collymore. History will remember you as a great, selfless and devoted leader and friend to this country.”
Kenyans took to social media to send their condolences to Collymore’s family and the Safaricom fraternity.
Collymore had been Chief Executive Officer of the telecom firm since 2010.
He has been credited for leading the company to profitability.
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Pic filed as Robert collymore
Caption: Dead: Robert ‘Bob’ Collymore
Pic filed as Robert collymore2
Caption: Collymore’s widow Wambui Kamiru and his mother led family members in viewing the body at Lee Funeral Hospital. Photo: Standard. (www.tuko.co.ke)
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