Friends allow Kenyans a special glimpse into Bob Collymore’s life

Bob Collymore’s memorial service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Thursday brought together political leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country.

The colourful memorial was graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta, first lady Margaret, Deputy President William Ruto, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

Others guests presented included Safaricom’s interim CEO Michael Joseph, former presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth (Collymore’s friend), ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and businessman Manu Chandaria.

His wife Wambui Kamiru had asked Kenyans to attend the memorial service in bright colours. According to her, Collymore’s life was to be celebrated and not mourned.

During the service, Safaricom’s interim CEO Michael Joseph said Bob had shared a poem with him that he had found in a book.

 “Bob and I agreed that whoever would survive the other, they would read this poem at the other’s funeral…I am genuinely sad and heartbroken to be the one reading this poem today,” Michael Joseph said.

The poem entitled ‘My Funeral’ by Wendy Cope highlighted how Bob wanted his funeral to be brief and attended by few people. 

It goes:

“I hope I can trust you, friends, not to use our relationship

As an excuse for an unsolicited ego-trip.

I have seen enough of them at funerals and they make me cross.

At this one, though deceased, I aim to be the boss.

If you are asked to talk about me for five minutes, please do not go on for eight

There is a strict timetable at the crematorium and nobody wants to be late

If invited to read a poem, just read the bloody poem. If requested

To sing a song, just sing it, as suggested,

And don’t say anything. Though I will not be there,

Glancing pointedly at my watch and fixing the speaker with a malevolent stare,

Remember that this was how I always reacted

When I felt that anybody’s speech, sermon or poetry reading was becoming too protracted.

Yes, I was intolerant, and not always polite

 And if there aren’t many people at my funeral, it will serve me right.’’

To his staff at Safaricom, Charles Musandu said Bob embraced persons with disabilities.

 “With Bob, we deserved a seat at the table…he was enthusiastic, he was not just a boss; he was a friend, a man who inspired us,” he said.

“Bob was not only a good man; he was a legend. Legends never die. They remain alive in us,” Musandu added.

For students at Mpesa Foundation Academy, Bob inspired them. He wanted them to be successful. He was their mentor who encouraged them to use their own products as that is what a good business person does.

“Though Bob told us that we consistently inspired him, he inspired us more,” Ashley Chepkorir a Form Four student at Mpesa Foundation Academy said.

Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read said Bob taking the CEO role at Safaricom was a big step.

He said stepping into Michael Joseph’s boots was never going to be easy.

“… the bar had been set high, success was no obvious, the fear of failure would have compromised many leaders…but for the nine years it has been remarkable,” said Mr Read.

His friends also praised him for how he inspired them.

“When I was first met Bob, he had two strikes against him. First, whether he could fill shoes of Michael Joseph. The second strike against him I would rather not talk about it because you all know it… He made all his friends to change, become more human and warmer,” Radio Africa CEO Patrick Quarcoo said

Collymore died of cancer of the blood on Monday. He was prepared for death. He admitted this during the interview that being diagnosed with leukemia did not upset him that much.

But according to him, nobody should die from cancer in this day and age of advanced science. He said what made cancer scary was how people reacted once the news was broken to them.

Collymore was cremated at Kariokor Hindu Crematorium, Nairobi on Tuesday.  ?