The chief executive officer of Safaricom PLC Bob Collymore has died from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

A statement issued by the company reads: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing away of Robert (Bob) William Collymore CEO of Safaricom PLC which occurred at his home in the morning of 1st July 2019."

Collymore had previously received medical treatment in the UK from October 2017 and resumed his duties in a year later. He has been receiving treatment from various hospitals in the country.

However, according to the company, his situation worsened in recent weeks before succumbing to the cancer at this home.

In May this year, the CEO had announced that the board had extended his stay at the helm of the company till August 2020. His tenure was to end in August 2019. Collymore joined the company in August 2010.

Safaricom hasn't made any announcements on the management changes that would take place in the company.

Many Kenyans poured out their messages of condolences on social media, describing Collymore as a hard working executivewho put Safaricom on the map.

"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," a statement from the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Bitange Ndemo, Chairman of the Blockchain and AI taskforce said: "Go well my friend, Bob Collymore. History will remember you as a great, selfless and devoted leader and friend to this country. #RIPBobCollymore."

"My condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr Bob Collymore as well as the entire Safaricom fraternity. Bob served our country with dedication and sustained us as a communication hub in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga stated.