Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore dies

KENYA. Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore has died.

According to a statement issued by Safaricom, Collymore died at his home Monday Morning, after a long battle with cancer.

In October 2017, Collymore, went to the UK to receive treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and returned in July 2018 to resume duties.

"He has been undergoing treatment for this condition since then in different hospitals and most recently at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi," the statement said.

Collymore leaves behind a wife and four children.

“On behalf of the Board of Safaricom, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, staff, partners and the nation at large who he served selflessly with joy,” Nicholas Nganga, the Safaricom board chairperson said in a statement.

Collymore has been at the helm of the telecommunications giant since 2010.

In May this year, Safaricom extended his contract by a year to compensate for the time he was away on medical leave.

Also in May, Collymore was appointed as a board member for the National Cancer Institute.