This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
July 2, 2019, marked a somber day for Kenya as the nation mourned the loss of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, who passed away after a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Despite his illness, Collymore remained a jovial person, always ready with a smile and a warm greeting for his guests.
As he neared the end of his life, Collymore summoned seven close friends to his home, a group known as the 'Boys Club.'
The 'Boys Club' consisted of businessman Ally Khan Satchu, Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo, politician Peter Kenneth, Citizen TV News Anchor Jeff Koinange, Scangroup CEO Bharat Thakrar, British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, and Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Joshua Oigara.
According to Patrick Quarcoo, Collymore inspired each of them in different ways, but one thing he did for all of them was to make them more human.
"He caused a change in all his friends – he made us more human, warmer like himself and willing to open up and sometimes vulnerable," Quarcoo wrote in The Star Newspaper.
Collymore's impact extended beyond his professional life, as he forged deep and lasting bonds with those around him.
Jeff Koinange remembered Collymore as a man who was full of life when surrounded by children and the ultimate people person.
"I don’t have many people I would call my close friends. However, Bob ‘Kihara’ Collymore, I named him Kihara for his obvious baldness was one of my close friends," Koinange said.
British High Commissioner Nic Hailey remembered Collymore as an astute businessman whose leadership at Safaricom has transformed lives.
"Rest in peace Bob Collymore. Your contribution to Kenya has been immense. Through your leadership, Safaricom has transformed lives across this country. All your friends at the British High Commission stand with your family on this sad day," Hailey tweeted.
