This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
On July 7, 2019, Kenya lost a remarkable leader in Bob Collymore, the CEO of Safaricom, one of the country's most profitable and visible corporate entities.
Collymore's life was a testament to his commitment to making a better place for future generations. He had made a conscious decision about 15 years ago to dedicate his life to this mission.
As his friends and family recounted during the memorial service, Collymore's main message in his final days was that he had done everything humanly possible to prepare for his death. He was ready to face it with his signature smile and a defiant rendition of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.'
Collymore's intentionality and meticulous planning are perhaps the most enduring lessons from his journey. He had been preparing for his final days for the past 15 years, guided by his philosophy of concern for the future of our planet and the state of Kenya in particular.
His handling of his terminal illness diagnosis, the fortitude with which he bore the inevitable physical infirmity, and the equanimity with which he faced his remaining days offer valuable lessons on being grateful, maintaining a long view of life, and having an impact in one's immediate environment.
Collymore showed us a different way of dying, one that is compassionate on those left behind, leaves pleasant memories, and eases the pain and suffering of loved ones. His final rites were unpretentious and devoid of self-praise and aggrandizement, a stark contrast to the African Big Men's penchant for grandiose displays.
— Lukoye Atwoli, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Dean, Moi University School of Medicine
