Former CEO Michael Joseph has been appointed as the interim CEO of Safaricom PLC with immediate effect, following the death of Bob Collymore.

The board of Kenya's largest telecoms operator has decided that Joseph will steer the company temporarily until they can appoint a CEO on a permanent basis.

The statement from the board says: "Following the passing on of the Company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Robert (Bob) William Collymore on 1 July 2019, at a Special Board meeting of the Directors' that was held on even date, the Board resolved to appoint Mr. Michael Joseph, a Board member of the Company, as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company with immediate effect."

Joseph was the founding CEO of Safaricom and handed the company over to Bob Collymore in 2010. He is also a current chairman of the Board of Kenya Airways.

"The Board is confident that during this transition, Mr. Joseph will provide the necessary guidance and leadership to the Company and its employees," the statement read.

Yesterday, chairman of the Safaricom board Nicholas Nganga was confident of the way forward for the company after the death of the CEO. He said, they would choose someone who would continue the legacy Collymore had set for the company.

During the press conference yesterday, Joseph said: "Bob understood what Safaricom was all about. As a board, we are confident that whoever we select to be the next leader of Safaricom would continue with that legacy."