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Collymore makes first public appearance after 9 months


Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore appeared Monday morning before parliament’s ICT committee, marking his first public event after a long absence.

The National Assembly team is looking into telcos dominance in the Kenyan market that has seen top managers of telecommunications firms appear before legislators amid a push by competitors to have Safaricom declared dominant.

Mr Collymore, who had stepped away from the firm’s helm for 9 months to seek treatment for an undisclosed illness, thanked well wishers for their support

“I’m back. Thanks to everyone who supported me over the past 9 months especially the clinical team at @UCLH, my superb @SafaricomPLC team and of course my wife Wambui Kamiru,” he said on Monday via his official Twitter handle.

The Safaricom boss informed investors in May that he would be returning from his extended medical leave as soon as doctors in London cleared him to travel.

The firm had announced that its net profit for the year ended March 2018 hit Sh55.3bn from Sh48.4bn the previous year.

KENYANS’ REACTION

On social media, Kenyans reacted to news Collymore’s return by welcoming him back and wishing him well.

@lord Collins collo tweeted, “Welcome back Sir… Let’s continue transforming lives.. Karibu nyumbani.”

@Kinoti Kirimi caleb said, “Karubu tena bob and prayer for your wellness. The whole network missed you. While you were away KRA increased our MPESA tariff, give us a signal Baba.”

@Solomon Karori wrote, “While you were away, Safaricom sim swap scandal was born.”

@Kenneth Okoth commented, “Welcome back. Praying for your continued great health.”

@Caroline Chege said, “Health is wealth. Karibu nyumbani.”

@Miss Lily said, “While you were away your employees teamed up to steal money from our Mpesa accounts through sim swap fraud.”

@john Msafi wrote, “I always prayed hard for you to get well. You are my rall time role model .Wish I could get a chance to meet @bobcollymore.”

Additional reporting by Sylvania Ambani