“Bob understood what Safaricom was all about. As a board, we are confident that whoever we select to be the next leader of Safaricom would continue with that legacy”
– Michael Joseph, Safaricom’s interim CEO.
Bob Collymore, the chief executive officer of Safaricom PLC and one of Africa’s vibrant telecoms executive is dead. A statement by the operator said Collymore died from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Kenya’s largest operator Safaricom in a statement confirmed its former CEO’s demise.
“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.”
According to media reports, Collymore had previously received medical treatment in the UK from October 2017 and resumed his duties in a year later. He has been receiving treatment from various hospitals in Kenya.
In a statement, Safaricom also announced that its Former CEO Michael Joseph will serve as its interim CEO until a permanent CEO is appointed.
The statement from the board says: “Following the passing on of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Robert (Bob) William Collymore on 1 July 2019, at a Special Board meeting of the Directors’ that was held on even date, the Board resolved to appoint Mr. Michael Joseph, a Board member of the Company, as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company with immediate effect.”
Joseph was the founding CEO of Safaricom and handed the company over to Bob Collymore in 2010. He is also a current chairman of the Board of Kenya Airways.
“The Board is confident that during this transition, Mr. Joseph will provide the necessary guidance and leadership to the Company and its employees,” the statement read.
The Kenyan government has also waded into the succession plans at Safaricom. Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications Joe Mucheru said the government desires that a Kenyan would be appointed CEO but it would not impose its wish on the company’s board.
“My wish is that a Kenyan gets the position but we don’t control the business. We have appointed directors to run the business. It doesn’t mean that what the government wants is what it gets,” Mucheru said.