PROGRAMME FOR THE LATE ROBERT WILLIAM COLLYMORE

Sunrise: 13th January 1958 Sunset: 1st July 2019 All Saints Cathedral, | Thursday, 4th July | 11am PROGRAMME OF EVENTS EULOGY

Presiding Minister: Provost the Right Rev. Canon Sammy Wainaina, HIS EARLY YEARS age of 18: get a job or find a new home. Not taking any Assisted by Rev. Philip Owour Bob (born Robert William) Collymore was brought up in chances, she secured an interview for him and made sure Berbice, Guyana. he showed up. MC: A lively and charming young boy, he often ran circles And so began Bob’s accidental journey into the emerging around his grandmother, who looked after him in his early world of mobile telecommunications. All the same, he ORDER OF SERVICE: years once his mother left to go to the United Kingdom to never let of his artistic dream, building his talents as a 9:00am Cathedral Opens pursue work opportunities. brilliant portrait artist and learning to play the saxophone. 10:30am All Guests are Seated Growing up amongst the fragrant flora of Guyana, Bob’s HIS WORKING YEARS deepest and earliest memory was of the strict discipline his Music by Safaricom Youth Orchestra and Ghetto Classics Bob’s first job was stacking shelves at British Telecom, a grandmother instilled in him. He watched as she invited tedious job that he undertook while discovering jazz and 11:00am Service Starts - Jazz Processional (“Smile” by Nat ‘King’ Cole) children to share the food at home, often questioning why the joys of having a full and healthy afro. 11:05am Prayer - Provost the Right Rev. Canon Sammy Wainaina other children were eating the family’s food. Her answer, and indeed her philosophy, became his guiding principle: 11.10am Bob’s Journey - Joshua Oigara, Group CEO, KCB He often would say that he stacked the shelves so well that to always ensure that everyone had a seat at the table – they had no choice but to shelve his efforts and give him 11:20am Michael Joseph - Poem Reading and Tribute even if that meant having half portions so that a job where he would train new recruits, make corporate there would be enough for everyone. 11:30am Tributes: training videos, purchase consumer products and manage • Ashley Chepkorir - Student, When the time came to join his mother BT’s range of cordless telephones and mobile handsets. M-PESA Foundation Academy in the United Kingdom, Bob leapt He then joined Cellnet and later Dixon’s, where he at the prospects of moving to a new • Charles Musandu - Safaricom Staff was responsible for working with handset suppliers country to explore the breadth of a new to develop terminal functionality that optimised the • Nick Read - CEO, Vodafone Group experience. He was initially unprepared services of the network and had an integral role in the for the reality of being one of the only • Esther Muchemi - Chairlady, development of their respective purchasing strategies, black boys in his school, but quickly Safaricom Dealers Association ensuring that they retained market share even as they discovered that his quick wit, innate rolled out innovative products. • Joshua Chepkwony - Telecommunications sense of mischief and cheery humour gave Community Representative him an edge. In 1998, he joined Vodafone, where he worked • Patrick Quarcoo - Business in progressively senior roles to enhance As someone who viewed the the company’s strategic direction and Community Representative world through an inventive build new solutions around the mobile • Nic Hailey - Diplomatic Corps Representative lens, Bob quickly discovered phone. His uniquely global perspective art as an outlet and for • Nicholas Nganga - Chairman, Safaricom positioned him in a number of most of his teen years, Vodafone’s global roles, with his first • Peter Kenneth - Friends of Bob Collymore imagined an idyllic future assignment taking him to Japan, where where he would live off • Esther Koimett - Government Representative he led the successful launch of a range of his creations. • Wambui Collymore new handsets and mobile content to the 12:30pm Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber When the time came for Asian market, ensuring that he worked university, he suffered to ensure that businesses became more 12:40pm Readings: his first significant inclusive and responsible for their • 1st Reading: Matthew 5: 13-16 (NIV) by Jessica Odede setback. He was offered communities. a place at Warwick • 2nd Reading: Ephesians 5: 11-16 (The Message Bible) His later posting to South as University but had to by Jacob Asiyo Vodafone’s Governance Director for turn it down because Africa and later Vodafone’s Chief of 12:50pm Video he was not eligible for Corporate Affairs exposed him to how funding. 12:55pm Sermon - Provost the Right Rev. Canon Sammy Wainaina innovative technology could transform 1:15pm Offertory for the Church / Safaricom Choir It was in that moment lives and leave a lasting impact. that he learned that 1:20pm Prayer for the Family It was his work in that catalysed he had to adapt if Bob’s belief that purpose was the 1:25pm Address by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the he wanted to create key driver for business and without a Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the more opportunities for sustainable vision, companies would not be Armed Forces himself. While initially able to attract the right people, or make any he thought this setback 1:40pm Vote of thanks - Joe Ogutu, Safaricom profits. These three P’s form the essential would mean that he could elements for any company, and were quickly 1:45pm Final Prayers and Benediction fully imagine a future of adopted by Safaricom. 1:55pm Second Line / Jazz Recessional by Ghetto Classics and travelling and being an Safaricom Youth Orchestra (“My Way” by Frank Sinatra) artist, that dream ended Bob often talked about his job at Safaricom abruptly when his mother being the best role in the world. “No one gave him an ultimatum at the knows how amazing this job is apart from

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“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” - Dr. Seuss

Wambui

often used to look at you and marvel at quickly reminded us that how you were at once mature for your age M-PESA was a success and at the same time, often the youngest not because of the people Isoul in room. It was part of your unique charm who could afford to carry – you could relate to anyone and everyone, of out large transactions, Michael and I,” he’d say. He attributed this to the fact that As part of his work on the board of Acumen, Bob hoped to any age and circumstance. but because of those who leverage the power of the private sector and private-public transacted the little amounts nowhere else in the world had he seen such transformation I can say with confidence that not many CEOs inspired by technology. partnerships to improve the lives of the poor. every day. You understood would stand up for people the way you did. that good business was not Whether it was for customers, employees, He was inspired by Kenya’s hard-working population Bob was appointed to the Global Commission on Business about purely selling, it was or beneficiaries of Safaricom’s community – that special entrepreneurial drive that powers the and Sustainable Development by the UN Secretary- about creating equal access projects: you loved people. And you were a nation. He firmly believed in the immense possibilities General and was a member of the UN Private Sector to the opportunities provided man of the people. of the country, but was equally concerned that there Leadership Advisory Council. His impetus as a UN Global by modern necessities such as mobile connectivity and data, and doing so with integrity was a significant risk that too many people would be Compact Member was instrumental to the development of You always fought for people to get a fair deal, whether it and transparency. marginalised if business did not change its outlook. a strong Kenyan chapter and was a Commissioner on the was for short term gains like salaries and bonuses, or for long Business had to have purpose if it was going to realise United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities term projects that would impact generations to come. You were a man who never shied away from admitting when profits. for women and children. you had failed, or when you were struggling to get things You remained committed to inclusion, and to ensuring that right. Not many people in your position would do that, and our business worked to reduce inequalities in whatever He was a Board Member of the Vision 2030 Secretariat, it’s a quality that endeared you to many and earned the HIS LATER YEARS way we could. I remember one instance in 2017, when a Founding Trustee of the National Road Safety Trust, confidence of the Board. Growing up, Bob was acutely aware that he had started Chairman and Founder of Kenyans for Kenya and he you insisted that we needed to launch M-PESA Kadogo. the race of life within set limits that he had no control spearheaded initiatives through the Diabetic Management We thought it was a crazy idea to make it free for people Nicholas Nganga, Chairman, Safaricom over. He spent the latter years of his life trying to make Institute (DMI). He was recognised as a Moran of the to transact anything below KES 100 on M-PESA. But you sure other people would never have to experience the Burning Spear (MBS) for his efforts to support Kenyan same limitations. By leveraging the power of partnerships, society. ob was not only a charging lion!! He never went into the bush with me again. Bob motivated his peers to take a more active stance on a colleague and building responsible businesses, that would be driven by All through his career, Bob’s affinity for the arts never my successor We became colleagues early in the life of Safaricom and a sustainable outlook and which would aim to transform quite left, and during his time at Safaricom, he found the Bbut also a close friend. over the ensuing years became closer and closer as we lives. perfect medium that allowed him to explore how to create We became close as realised that we shared the same ideals and visions for both more opportunities for young children’s through music. he went through his Bob was led by pure belief that humans want to do good. Safaricom and Kenya. We enjoyed a relationship where He successfully founded the Safaricom International Jazz treatment and when To be truly successful as a human was to strive to do better we could be both serious and lighthearted. We bantered Festival in 2014 and would cherish the opportunity to he returned to Kenya. for your fellow man. He was at once filled with hope at with each other during meetings but also tried to steer the host award-winning international acts alongside Kenyan But my fondest company in the direction where we could seriously change this possibility and terribly worried that it would never jazz musicians to support the children of Ghetto Classics. memory of Bob was come to be. Ghetto Classics is a community based programme that when I invited him to people’s lives for the better, sometimes contrary to the traditional corporate view. Bob understood that the business community was a aims to transform the lives of over 4,000 children by using spend the weekend at my house on Lewa key catalyst to fast-track inclusive economic growth, music education to provide the youth with opportunities and we went for a Just a few weeks ago Bob persuaded me to start to write the with the Global Goals being the most effective lens that to better themselves and their communities. walk with myself and story of my life and Safaricom. I wrote the 33rd chapter and could enable businesses to see inequalities as business His unique outlook on life created all the necessary my family in the bush, together with our big dogs. We were entitled it “Bob”. It contains the following statement “Bob opportunities. ingredients for an extraordinary individual. And to the returning towards our house and as I was looking through was the first man in my life that I had grown close to, that As a commissioner for the Global Commission for end, Bob was extraordinary. my binoculars I saw two lions on the ridge watching us! I I had allowed to come close to me and he was going to be Business & Sustainable Development and a member of the said, quite casually: “there are two lions on the ridge”. As taken away from me. It was really a low point in my life.” I said this, my whole family took off up the road with both B-Team, Mr. Collymore drove a progressive agenda that HIS FAMILY LIFE dogs leaving Bob and I standing there. When I asked Bob brought together high-level business leaders to catalyse a There are no words that can express my sorrow today. Bob is survived by his extended family in Guyana, the why he did not run too, he said he knew I had a gun with me better way of doing business, for the wellbeing of people Kwaheri, and rest well, my dear friend. United Kingdom and here in Kenya. He leaves behind his and felt safer with me!! Little did he know that not only was and the planet. wife Wambui, four children, his mother, his sister, a niece the gun not loaded but also it most definitely would not stop Michael Joseph, Interim CEO, Safaricom and a nephew. 4 5 TRIBUTES hy me? You gave me opportunities that showed you deeply cared about my career. You gave me he fact that you hired me showed your courage and curiosity. You coached me in my guidance and time to talk to you, you gave me role towards excellence and relentless customer passion. I learned from you what Wthe space to do deliver your vision and let me make mistakes Purpose and Sustainability truly are and why they matter so much. and learn while doing it. You showed me true humility and T demonstrated what integrity, honesty and true passion can Our interactions in public were always full of respect, humor and wisdom. he legacy you have left is unmatched. Words are do to make a difference in people’s lives! You made me feel inadequate to fully express the impact of your deeds. More privately, you taught me so much about engagement for values and humanity. I am at ease with your wit and charm with comments like “I’m A great soul of peerless courage. You used your voice extremely privileged to have walked alongside such a great leader. And I will continue to not the smartest person in the room” which made it easier for the greater good. You truly are one of the greatest leaders build on the 3 pillars that you taught me of #Excellence #Humanity and #Integrity. T to express myself. I always wanted to ask you why me but that I have had the honour and privilege of knowing. It is now I know. And you impacted millions in the same way! You have transformed my life and made the world and Kenya a ‘beta’ place. Asante Bob! said goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply Eternally grateful. Till we meet again! Always in our hearts! means you will be missed, until we meet again. You are at Thibaud Rerolle, Chief Technology Officer, Safaricom peace now. Goodbye Bob. Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom ou had a way of where everyone could be given equal opportunity. Debra Mallowah, Chief Business Development communicating extremely You required that we embrace the face of Kenya in Officer, Safaricom difficult situations calmly, the business. Such are the great experiences that will Yand never more so when you remain forever in my heart and mind. were going through your difficult ob, you were a great ou fondly referred to me as the “other mzee” Bob, you wanted us to build a company that our great illness. Yours was always the leader, mentor and an in Safaricom, a title that I will always cherish grandchildren would be proud to work for. Such was coolest head in the room. extraordinary person. dearly. Like any other mzee worth their salt, you your great vision for Safaricom. BI enjoyed working with you Ywere wise beyond your years – and yet at the same time, You taught us simplicity, humility As you rest, we will always look back with fondness immensely. Your warmth and filled with a youthful curiosity that endeared you to so and most of all purpose. You and the utmost respect, thanking God for the privilege charisma were anchored in the many. Your network of friendships and connections ran inspired us to be authentic and of knowing you. authenticity you displayed in deep, and included everyone. You talked a lot about not act with integrity at all times. your relationships - business leaving anyone behind, and were truly focused on running You encouraged us to treat our May you rest in eternal peace. or personal. You shone your a business that truly made a difference in the lives of customers with utmost respect. Nicholas Mulila, Chief Security Officer, Safaricom halo on everyone around you Kenyans. At a personal level, Bob, you challenged me to You wanted an inclusive world, because you truly believed that tackle and advocate for what was right and just, ensuring equality, justice and inclusivity that I took a stand and addressed and spoke about issues worked for a few leaders whom I respect a lot, a few were the ultimate goal of every human. To me, your life was such as women’s rights and children’s rights. who I admire a lot, but when I reflect on who has lived with Purpose, it had meaning beyond the limelight and inspired me most, Bob -- you stand out. You started I will always cherish our relationship. We spoke a lot as “wazees”, and you demonstrated that with Ito amaze me from the day I had my interview. I came leadership came strength and vulnerability; wisdom and a prepared for a long, tough conversation. Much to my You always carried your illness with such grace and listening ear; a firm demeanour and also a humourous one. surprise, it was a conversation about everything but consideration. I remember you would always comment You were very straightforward and candid and challenged finance and in thirty minutes you told me you would that you were lucky you could access treatment while us all to be better individuals in all areas of our lives. These strongly support my candidature and there I was thinking unfortunately many others could not. Goodbye Bob. Thank are great lessons for all of us at Safaricom, and for Kenya. We that the interview process was just about to start! That was you for shining a light where others would cast a shadow. Go thank God for all the life lessons you shared with us and for the first of many surprises. well. the remarkable ways in which you shaped our time together.

Bob, you were unique and I mean unique in all respects. Steve Chege, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Safaricom Joe Ogutu, Chief Special Projects Officer, Safaricom You had a way with words which was unique, a way of challenging which again was unique, strong beliefs and conviction which again was unique. I never worked ou empowered me with knowledge ou were a mighty tree, and under your cover, we found shelter that with a leader as Authentic as you. Your way of dealing and opportunities. Motivated me nourished us and gave us the courage to believe that nothing is with people is something that stands out for me. Your with your mentorship. Trusted me impossible if we believe and work towards it. ability to listen to what’s being said and then picking up Yto run without a playbook. Y consider myself fortunate to have been part of your the “unsaid” is something I admire. I can go on, but will You were a room maker, and our voices were heard because you welcomed us stop this last one – Your humility! Your uncanny knack team. I learned so much about purpose coming first And always pushed me to excel. Thank and gave us a seat at the table. You were a history maker, a captain who walked before profit, and people being the critical link between of doing self effacing jokes which subtly pushes people is you for the opportunity to work for and down the path of purpose with courage and resilience, determined to live for Ithe two. You were the people leader who made my work so something worth writing a book on. that which was bigger than yourself and use your platform to do good. with you in transforming lives. easy! Amazingly, you had a way of connecting with people You touched me! You have impacted a softer element in When it’s all been said and done, you lived for truth, you lived for others, you that made them feel special and inspired to be the best that As a leader and a human being you were me which has opened up a different side of me – Thanks lived in the hope of a better day for us all. Rest in the power of the history you they can be. You were a true visionary, purposeful and had for being a part of my life. Thanks for everything. a true inspiration and you will always be created. I was truly privileged to know you as my friend and my CEO. a unique affinity with humanity. You were more of a friend Goodbye my friend. remembered. than a boss, a true hero and a legend indeed. Rest in peace. Fare thee well. Sateesh Kamath, Chief Financial Officer, Safaricom Rita Okuthe, Chief Enterprise Business Paul Kasimu, Chief Human Resources Officer, Safaricom Officer, Safaricom Sylvia Mulinge, Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom 6 7 nce in a lifetime cometh a man who against all ob was family at Ghetto Classics. How else do you TRIBUTES expectations wins and succeeds wildly in making explain his love and commitment to the kids? The friends, family and a whole nation love, respect and world saw the glossy pictures in the newspaper espite the fact that we spent so many hours together, Oesteem him. Bevery time the Safaricom International Jazz Festival season you would always surprise me – whether through came around, but what you couldn’t see were the genuine your sense of humour or your amazing mind. We’d When I was first introduced to Mr. Robert Collymore he had relationships he built with so many of the young players Dlaugh about so many things, but I also knew the things that two strikes against him. First, who could fill the phenomenal that went on throughout the years. He found time to meet kept you up at night were not the profits or big position or shoes of the legendary, visionary, committed, fiery, blunt, and with them in his office when they needed a fatherly talk. He the important meetings, you thought about how you could driven Michael Joseph? The other strike I will not talk about. critiqued their performances and gave them tips on how to make a difference to everyone. We’d often go on surprise improve for the next one and he shared in their daily ups Bob did not fill Michael’s shoes, he made his own shoes. visits so you could meet people on the ground to try and and downs. Many times he would write me asking about Sewn with his relentless commitment to excellence and understand how you could help them. I will miss our debates a particular player and following up on their progress. hard work, he created a new higher and noble purpose for about bullfighting. Your passing will never take away your One particular occasion stands out for me. Osiyo, one of Safaricom – serve the customer, serve the society, change legacy, and I remain thankful that you were my boss. our percussion players, a sweet sensitive boy, was in tears lives and build employees. He made everyone aspire to be after the dress rehearsal at the 2017 Jazz festival. He felt he Isaac Lumbasi, Close Protection Officer, Safaricom better with humanity, his deep warmth, unvarnished honesty t is impossible to put in words who Bob was to us; he wasn’t up to the performance and he was a wreck. Bob found and his humility. could be a majestic symphony, a bebop and sometimes, a funky riddim. A great lover of the arts, Jazz had a special out and he took him aside to give him a pep talk. He told Osiyo that the only reason he was so nervous and scared, ob was full of life when surrounded by children, He also did something uncommon – he forged deep and Iplace in his heart and this pulled the melodies of our lives to was because he cared about the music more than anyone always making time to listen to them no matter their lasting bonds. I somehow found my way into a small intersect. else in the orchestra. Which meant that he was better than ages. Bob lived life to the fullest and dedicated his life company of highly driven men – leaders of industry, Bob, you were a friend and a mentor who purposed to make everyone else. Bob made sure to be in Osiyo’s sight through Bfirst to family and then his profession. diplomacy and media - which became the Boys Club. Bob and I shared the burdens of each other but quickly I realised time in your life for us. You were real with us and we will the final performance and afterwards went up to tell him Bob travelled widely, dined with kings and princes, we both collected African art and loved jazz. He was continue to smile at how candid and honest you were. how wonderfully he had just played. You should have seen presidents and high level executives and then he’d come wonderfully talented. He painted beautifully and played the the ‘1000 megawatt’ smile on Osiyo’s face as he grew 2 inches Through you we saw the world and you brought the world home and ride in matatus with Juliani to visit the poor in saxophone that he loved like a child with a lollipop. taller immediately. That was Bob. He didn’t have to, but that to us. We met, talked and shared a global stage as we lived a slums like Huruma and Mathare, Mukuru and Majengo. day he chose to value one young boy from Korogocho and in He caused a change in all his friends – he made us more beautiful dream. that way change his life. Bob was the ultimate people person. He must have taken human, warmer like himself and willing to open up and Grammy Award Winning Saxophonist Kirk Whalum aptly a million selfies in the streets of many capitals, always sometimes vulnerable. He made me and a bunch of stuck-up On a personal level, Bob was one of my biggest supporters described this in liner notes from his up-coming album accommodating, always smiling that broad smile of his. men unbutton our shirts and become men who thought a and mentors as I grew the programmes. I shared my highs Humanité to be released in September 2019: ”Humanité is lot more about purpose. Thank you and Adieu till we meet and lows with him. Our successes and our failures. He dedicated to the memory of an earth angel, Bob Collymore Jeff Koinange, Senior Anchor, Royal Media Services again. knew them all. Losing him is a big blow not just for Ghetto of Safaricom Jazz Festival in Nairobi, who is in large part Classics but for the Safaricom Youth Orchestra which was his Patrick Quarcoo, CEO, Radio Africa Group responsible for this vision”. brainchild and which he was equally proud of. He made us confident that we were on the right track and his belief in us uperstar, Sometimes I keep myself from Our dearest friend, as you taught us and would have it, will keep us going for a long time to come. crying because I know this is the last thing ur dear Bob, you are even though this sonata is over, the symphony plays on. You you’d want us to feel. You had the last laugh, a visionary leader, remain in our hearts and we celebrate you in every note we Thank you, Bob for believing in us and for leaving us so Syou got to see James in a suit, a police escort of authentic, and a man play and every song we sing. much better than when you found us. That was your gift and your body, me crying profusely throwing my Oof integrity. You affirmed to we are so happy you came in to our lives. We hope we can Your sax spot forever remains. “G-ness” outside the window as I mourn you and us the goodness in humanity, continue to make you cry (for all the right reasons) wherever now writing this tribute in English. I felt like I am you listened more than you Much love, you are. selfish wanting you to be here maybe things might spoke and you gave us the be different lakini you needed to rest. That’s the space to make mistakes and Jacob & Kavutha Asiyo Elizabeth Njoroge, on Behalf of the entire only reason I give myself to accept all this. you constantly reminded us Art of Music Foundation Family that they were learnings. You Two days before your rest, I sent you a clip of were genuinely concerned Dear Bob, white people being given instructions on how to about our well being and knew dance, I hope you were keen to learn the steps. all our children by name. We And you get to dance funny with the angels. Where do I start? My first interaction with you was when we met at the reception of Tamarind Village in Mombasa, as you closely walked this journey underwent your orientation. Picturing that makes me laugh. Asante sana for with you, the good mornings, opening your arms, your house, sharing your the infectious smile, the genuine We engaged several times thereafter and I can truly say that you contributed significantly to the man I am today. Whilst many life, your presence and thoughts with me. I know concern you had for us, plus may think that we must have spoken about matters to do with work, which we actually did, we also spoke about much more you loved each one of us intentionally: your wife your door was always open for as well. We spoke a lot about life: family; career; my personal growth and development outside of the workplace; jazz; men’s Wambo and kids, your colleagues, your lowest all us. The memories of jazz fashion; important values that we believed a gentleman needed to uphold; and lots more. You empowered us to be able to take level employees, your country Kenya. music playing in your office responsibility for massively critical tasks /roles, yet always remained accountable. That was the leader you were. Your values th Yes, your impact might be felt in doing business will remain so alive on the 7 of INTEGRITY and TRUST were beyond reproach. floor. with a purpose but I see how big you were by your Over the last few weeks, despite your deteriorating health that I only got to hear about now from those closest to you, you ability to fit in kids hearts. Amor talked about you We bid you farewell not as a seemed energized to drive us to achieve our goals with renewed fervor that I hadn’t seen in a while. I now see that you were often and I know it’s the same of all the kids you mere formality but because we setting us on a course that would take us to heights never achieved before, to heights that you’d wish to be remembered by. held in your arms. will dearly miss you. Sir, I shall execute as you desired, as we had done together. I thank you for your leadership and mentorship. I thank you for you friendship. Godspeed my good Sir, until we meet again. I will Miss you dearly, Rest with the angels BC. RIP Robert William Collymore (1958 - 2019) My “Barefoot Gentle Giant” Gladys, Marian and Eddah, Juliani, Musical artist Bob’s Executive Assistants Shaka Kwach, Head, Enterprise Business Solutions, Safaricom

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10 11 Bob, in God’s hands you rest and in our hearts you will live forever. Until we meet again. Courtesy of the Daily Nation