Corporate world rallies around ailing Safaricom boss

Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By Hilary Kimuyu

Summary

• Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore’s business friends and acquaintances on social media shared their wishes for his quick recovery.

Days after taking medical leave to receive specialised treatment, Safaricom

CEO Bob Collymore continues to receive goodwill messages from the corporate world.

Collymore’s business friends and acquaintances on social media shared their wishes for his quick recovery. This is in spite of Mr Collymore’s ailment remaining undisclosed.

“I wish my friend @bobcollymore speedy recovery. Look forward to seeing you back soon,” tweeted Scangroup

chief executive Bharat Thakrar.

Barclays Bank

boss Jeremy Awori tweeted that he wished his counterpart a speedy recovery “and look forward to seeing you back at the helm fit and well.”

Former television personality Janet Mbugua also tweeted her wish for Collymore’s quick recovery.

“A time comes when we must stick up for each other. We wish @bobcollymore a speedy recovery & a quick return to what he does best: winning!” tweeted KCB Group

.

Businessman and former Nation Media Group

CEO Linus Gitahi termed Mr Collymore as “one of the greatest corporate leaders of our time. Get well soon brother.”

READ: Safaricom CEO takes sick leave

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Investment advisory firm Rich Management boss Aly-Khan Satchu described Mr Collymore as a dear friend and outstanding CEO.

Safaricom on Monday said Mr Collymore had taken medical leave to receive specialised treatment for a “number of months”.

Company chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a made the announcement in a circular to employees, but did not disclose the nature of Mr Collymore’s sickness.

The board chair said Safaricom chief financial officer Sateesh Kamath will take a “primary role,” in Mr Collymore’s absence, adding that he will be supported by Joseph Ogutu —the company’s director of Strategy and Innovation.

The circular said Mr Ogutu has taken charge of Safaricom’s day-to-day operations until Mr Collymore’s return from medical leave.

Mr Collymore, 59, a Guyanan-born British citizen, took charge of Safaricom in 2010 on a three-year contract, after the company’s founding CEO, Michael Joseph, retired and had his term renewed for another three years.