Bob Collymore to be cremated tomorrow

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Collymore who died early Monday morning is set to be cremated on Tuesday, the telecommunications giant has said.

Speaking during a briefing at the Michael Joseph Centre held following news of Collymore’s demise, Safaricom Board Chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a said the ceremony will be open only to the deceased’s family members.

According to Mr. Ng’ang’a, a public memorial service will be held in honour of the late Collymore during the course of the week.

“There will be a private interment process tomorrow but, later on in the week, hopefully Thursday or Friday, there will be a memorial service for all those who knew and cared for Bob,” said the Board Chair.

Mr. Ng’ang’a also stated that he would convene a meeting with the rest of the Safaricom PLC board members within the next 24 hours in order to chart a way forward for the company.

He however steered clear of any talk about the next CEO at the company, only noting that the Board was fully behind the management left behind by Collymore until such a time that they would announce his successor.

“We (Board) are still coming to grips with what has happened but we’re clear that the company is in good hands and will continue to offer all the services that it’s been offering,” he stated.

He further stated that the company will oversee to fruition one of Collymore’s visions to see the company spread its wings across the continent, beginning with Ethiopia.

Collymore, who leaves behind a wife and four children, passed on early Monday morning at his Nairobi home following years of battling cancer.