President Uhuru Kenyatta has described Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore as a distinguished corporate leader following his demise.
Safaricom Chairman Nicholas Nganga announced the passing away of the 61-year-old boss in a statement on Monday morning.
"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing away of Robert (Bob) William Collymore, CEO of Safaricom PLC which occurred at his Nairobi home in the morning of 1st July, 2019," Safaricom's statement read in part.
President Kenyatta has joined the nation in mourning the veteran manager, who took over from Michael Joseph in 2011.
"It is with deep sadness that I have this morning received news of the death of Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore after years of battling cancer.
"As a country, we've lost a distinguished corporate leader whose contribution to our national wellbeing will be missed," he said.
Collymore, who had taken a medical leave in 2017, returned in July 2018.
His contract was due to expire in August 2019 but Safaricom extended it after they failed to reach a consensus over his replacement.
The Kenyan government has 35 per cent shares in Safaricom which rivals Vodacom, a South African company with 35 per cent shares as well.