Piece by: PAUL AMUKO

23 June 2023

• The late Bob Collymore, former CEO of Safaricom, left an indelible mark on Kenya's music industry and beyond

The late Bob Collymore, former CEO of Safaricom, left an indelible mark on Kenya's music industry and beyond.

Through his visionary leadership and commitment to fostering local talent, Collymore played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the music landscape in the country.

As we commemorate his legacy, let us explore the projects, concerts, and awards that stood out during his tenure, highlighting his immense contributions.

What the Kenyan entertainment fraternity will always remember about this man is the fact that he supported talent

Under Collymore's guidance, Safaricom initiated groundbreaking initiatives that provided a platform for Kenyan musicians to thrive.

One notable project was the Safaricom International Jazz Festival, which showcased local and international jazz talents, promoting cultural exchange and appreciation for the genre.

This annual event drew music enthusiasts from all walks of life, solidifying Kenya's position on the global jazz map.

To honor Collymore's passion for jazz, the BC International Jazz Festival is set to take place on 1st July at the Carnivore Grounds, serving as a tribute to his enduring legacy.

Collymore was instrumental in organizing numerous concerts and gigs that brought together renowned local and international artists.

These events not only provided unparalleled entertainment but also created lucrative opportunities for artists to showcase their talent and connect with diverse audiences.

Furthermore, Safaricom, under Collymore's leadership, played a crucial role in establishing music awards such as the groove awards to which Safaricom was the main sponsors the awards recognized and celebrated outstanding achievements in the Kenyan gospel music scene.

These awards provided a platform for artists to be acknowledged for their hard work and talent.

They also helped create healthy competition, spurring artists to continually raise the bar and contribute to the growth of the industry.

He also launched the Safaricom youth orchestra back in 2014, which helped nurture young musical talents, and also pioneered the launch of Songa by Safaricom an online music platform that enables streaming of both local and international music

Collymore's commitment to nurturing local talent was evident in the support Safaricom provided to these awards, amplifying the impact and reach of the music industry in Kenya.

Bob helped propel Skiza Tunes, organized tours( Safaricom Live) and even booked Camp Mulla and Octopizzo paying them in millions. He even featured on a song(Jimmy Gait-Furi Furi remix)

Bob Collymore's untimely passing left a void in the hearts of many, but his contributions to the music industry and society at large will continue to be felt.

Here are some of the tweets from netizens about memorable moments of Bob Collymore

@thetimwork

He sent a 10 word email, when I alerted him that one of his PMs had nicked our app. It got sorted quick fast. Secondly he really supported the creative arts (music, film, tv, etc) . At his prime Safcom was doing more than the ministry of culture. Genuinely miss the guy..

@JeremihMuriuki

Saw him and even fist bumped him at Safaricom Jazz fest, not in the VIP section, he was having fun and enjoying the event at the regular section mingling with people together with his wife. He was a really humble guy and how his staff treated him shows how good of a CEO he was

@samuel_bosire__

I remember attending jazz in 2019. Very organized and trust me it was value for money. It was among my first concerts and since then, kenyan promoters have done nothing but lower my expectations.

@Rickygakugi

Bob Collymore is the one guy who should have been cloned. Quality individual this one. Certainly not perfect, but he had a very high emotional quotient till the very end.

@muthonny

That gospel concert that used to happen end year. Credo ya 100 na akina mercy masika wanaimba mpaka asubuĥi.