Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore to be buried on Tuesday July 2, 2019 in private ceremony

In a press briefing organized at the company headquarters, Mr Ng'ang'a outlined that the ceremony would be reserved for family and invited guests.

The Safaricom Chairman could not immediately confirm whether he would be cremated or buried, stating that the family would communicate such details at their own time.

Safaricom Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a confirms Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore to be laid to rest on Tuesday July 2, 2019 Pulse Live Kenya

"For Bob's family, there will be a private interment ceremony to be held tomorrow and hopefully a memorial service will be held later on in the week probably on Thursday or Friday for all those who knew and cared for Bob and the details will be communicated," the Chairman stated.

The Board representative noted that the company "was the better for it" due to Mr Collymore's contribution.

"Although the details of Bob's deteriorating condition were not discussed at Board level, the board was fully aware that succession arrangements needed to be made as his contract was scheduled to end next month [August]. Communication on this will be given in the next 24 hours.

"Bob fought this cancer with great fortitude and with everything that he had and all that time - from his bed and his house - has continued to give leadership to the company, for which we are grateful.

"It has been two years and he was aware and at peace with what was happening to him. He was ready and that why he was home when this happened, with his close family," Mr Ng'ang'a briefed members of the press.

Safaricom Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a confirms Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore to be laid to rest on Tuesday July 2, 2019 Pulse Live Kenya

He insisted that the Safaricom Board was committed to ensuring his legacy lives on in the work that he begun and was passionately pursuing.

The Board was scheduled to meet on Monday afternoon for detailed deliberations.

Michael Joseph eulogizes Bob Collymore

Former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph was present at the briefing on Monday and was open with the reporters on his shock that Mr Collymore had passed on.

"We all received the news that Bob had passed with a great deal of shock. Nobody expected this to happen so soon although some of us knew that Bob was ailing in recent weeks.

"We were so fortunate and lucky that Bob understood what Safaricom was all about, the DNA of Safaricom and he took it to another level. You all experienced Bob his largeness, enthusiasm, his greatness and his affinity for people and I think that is what has driven this company to where it is today.

"It would be premature to speculate what might happen next but as a Board we should be confident that whoever is selected to be the next leader of Safaricom will carry this legacy and ensure the DNA of Safaricom remains as it is," he stated.

Joseph further assured members of the fourth estate not to speculate on the succession going forward stating that Mr Collymore had done well to communicate his vision for the company and that all members of the Board and Safaricom management will be keen to execute it.