This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On the eve of the first anniversary of her husband's death, Wambui Kamiru, the widow of the late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, has shared her personal struggles with grief. Speaking to Sunday Nation on June 28, 2020, ahead of Collymore's first death anniversary next Wednesday, Wambui disclosed that she lost her sense of smell following his demise on July 1st last year.
‘I lost my sense of smell. It returned a few months ago and then disappeared again; so it goes and comes,' Wambui said, highlighting the unpredictable nature of grief.
Collymore succumbed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, after battling the condition for over two years. He was cremated in a private ceremony held at the Hindu Shamshan Bhumi Cremation Centre in Kariokor, Nairobi, and was the CEO of Safaricom at the time of his passing.
Wambui has also spoken about her husband's wishes for his funeral, which included being cremated in a simple outfit and without any jewelry. ‘He used to say, ‘I do not want to hang about. It’s like I’m done; don’t keep me around,’” Wambui recalled.
Wambui's reflections on grief have also touched on the importance of acceptance and coming to terms with the fact that grief is a permanent part of her life. ‘I think there is another part of grieving. There is acceptance as part of grief, and it’s also coming to terms with the fact that the grief is not going to go anywhere; it’s always going to be part of me,’” she added.
