This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 4, a memorial service was held for the late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, who passed away in 2019. Interim CEO Michael Joseph was among those who attended the service and delivered a eulogy for his predecessor.
Michael Joseph, who had recommended Bob Collymore to take over as CEO in 2010, praised his successor for his exceptional leadership skills and passion for the company.
However, Michael Joseph's remarks have been met with criticism, particularly after he described Bob Collymore as a 'white man in black skin' in a previous statement. The comment was seen as racist by some, who argued that it portrayed an American national as racist.
Michael Joseph later clarified that his statement was taken out of context and lost its intended meaning. He responded to a Twitter user who had criticized his remarks, saying 'You missed the point and the humour!'
Michael Joseph has previously faced criticism for his comments, including a statement in which he claimed that Kenyans have a 'peculiar habit'.
Reactions to Michael Joseph's latest remarks have been mixed, with some defending him and others continuing to criticize him.
