This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
July 1, 2019, will forever be etched in my memory as the day I lost a dear friend, Bob Collymore. We met in 2009, when he accompanied Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph to one of my 'Bench' interviews. I thought he was a bodyguard, but Michael introduced us, and we became instant friends.
Bob was a unique individual, born on January 13, six days after my own birthday. We shared many similarities, but he was light-years ahead of me in terms of his humanity and humility. His passion for the poor and downtrodden, his compassion for victims of violent crimes, and his devotion to his job and the M-Pesa Foundation were qualities that made him stand out.
As the CEO of Safaricom, Bob transformed the company, taking it to greater heights than many of his critics could have imagined. He was a true leader, and his humility and willingness to listen made him a beloved figure among his colleagues and friends.
But to us, he was just Bob or Kihara, a man who loved jazz music, scowled at my love for country music, and always spoke his mind. He was full of life, especially when surrounded by children, and dedicated his life to his family and profession.
Two days before his passing, our group visited him at his home, and despite being in pain, he greeted us with his broad smile. He talked and talked, sharing his wisdom and gratitude for our friendship. His final words to us were, 'I've lived a great life, gents. I've made mistakes, but I rectified them. That's what you guys have to do. Rectify your mistakes otherwise you will have learnt nothing from life.'
Rest in peace, Bob. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy lives on through the countless lives you touched.
