Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore Opens Up on His Battle with Rare Type of Cancer

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Collymore has finally opened up on the condition that forced him to take a long medical leave.

In his first interview since his return from a nine-month medical leave, Collymore said he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a rare blood cancer characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and which interferes with normal blood cells.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) show on Wednesday night, Collymore said he was first misdiagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency before flying to London, United Kingdom where it was discovered he had cancer.

“When I was finally diagnosed in London, the doctor told me that I probably had it for about 6 months. Being diagnosed with cancer for me was not such a big deal and a lot of people seems to think that is a bit strange."

“But I was really upset when they told me that it was going to take 9 months. I was like are you crazy? There is a company that has to be managed back at home and a family to take care of,” he said.

He says he wanted a speedy treatment so he could return home and continue with his duties at Safaricom but doctors insisted on extensive treatment to avoid relapse.

“If you go home I can guarantee you that in six-month time, the  cancer will back and it will be worse than when you came here and I would not be able to put you in a curative program,” the doctor told Collymore after suggestions the treatment be rushed.

“It would have killed me if I was not diagnosed early. Because AML becomes fatal within weeks and month. It would have killed me by Christmas, I would have been ex-Safaricom CEO," he jokingly said.