This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On a somber note, the city of Nairobi bid farewell to Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore on July 3, 2019, a day that will be etched in the memories of those who knew him.
Collymore's body left Lee Funeral Home in the morning, accompanied by police outriders who cleared the roads as the cortege navigated through the city's traffic.
Upon arrival at Kariokor, the body was secluded in a room where only his immediate family members, including his wife, children, mother, and sister, were allowed to pay their last respects.
Only invited guests were permitted to witness Collymore's final rites, a testament to the respect and admiration he commanded from his peers and the public.
The cremation process took place at a temperature of between 1,000 to 2,000 degrees Celsius, a poignant reminder of the transience of life.
Collymore's passing on Monday morning, after a battle with cancer, left a void in the lives of those who knew him, and his farewell was a fitting tribute to a life well-lived.
The hearse carrying Collymore's body, a British-made Jaguar, was acquired by Lee Funeral Home at a reported cost of Ksh 17 million, replacing the German-made Mercedes hearse that had been their primary vehicle of choice for carrying the remains of prominent individuals.
Other notable personalities who have been ferried in the Jaguar hearse include GG Kariuki, Joseph Nkaissery, Nicholas Biwott, and Bethuel Kiplagat.
