Why Bob Collymore’s Boy’s Club is yet to give Uhuru his ‘special gift’
Renowned media personality Jeff Koinange has shed light on the reason why he and his fellow Boys’ Club members have not yet presented retired President Uhuru Kenyatta with a ‘special gift’ initially intended to be given by the late Bob Collymore.
During a candid YouTube interview with Convo Unscripted YouTube podcast, Jeff delved into the origins of the Boys’ Club and their cherished bond with the late Collymore.
He revealed that the club’s inception coincided with Bob Collymore’s early days in Kenya, initiated by Collymore himself.
Over time, Bob urged Jeff to recruit more members to join their exclusive circle.
The ‘Boys Club,’ an eclectic group, includes prominent figures such as businessman Ally Khan Satchu, Radio Africa Group CEO Patrick Quarcoo, politician Peter Kenneth, Citizen TV news anchor Jeff Koinange, Scangroup CEO Bharat Thakrar, British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, and Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Joshua Oigara.
Also read: Uhuru: My final four hours with Bob Collymore
Jeff reminisced, “I was Bob’s first real friend when he first came to Kenya. He would call me, and I would go to his place or invite him to mine. He was very new to this country and didn’t venture out much.”
He continued, “After a few months, he suggested that we form a club with about five or six of us, meeting once weekly to unwind, have a good time, and enjoy a smoke or drink. That’s how we started.”
Jeff added, “Peter Kenneth joined us later, and we even included a couple of ambassadors to make it complete.”
The popular media personality said that after the demise of their dear friend Bob, they decided to keep the tradition alive in his memory.
“We still meet twice a month,” adding, “We take turns covering the bills, and we have a WhatsApp group. We hold each other accountable, and we have nothing to lose. We visit each other and offer support in times of need.”
Also read: Bob Collymore’s death affected my health – Wambui
In 2019, the Boys’ Club was in the spotlight during Bob Collymore’s memorial service at the All Saints Cathedral.
It was revealed that Collymore had shared a reserved bottle of whisky with the club, raising eyebrows as the former President, Uhuru Kenyatta, humorously claimed he was the intended recipient of the special whisky.
Peter Kenneth, one of the club’s members, disclosed, “He (Collymore) eventually went into his whisky store and opened a very special reserve blended whisky that he had saved for many years for a special guest. He insisted we become the special guests and that we all share the whisky, even for those who don’t drink whisky.”
During his address at the memorial, President Kenyatta playfully revealed his role as the “special guest,” stating: “My one disappointment was supposed to have gone back to collect something that had been reserved for a special friend, so Peter Kenneth, Oigara (Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Joshua), and crew, you have to pay. That did not belong to you,” drawing laughter from the congregation.
Also read: Bob Collymore’s ‘Boys Club’ buys Uhuru Sh460K whiskey after worldwide search
In a recent interview, Jeff Koinange jokingly mentioned that the club had yet to hand over Uhuru’s whiskey, as the President had not come to collect it.
“Uhuru’s whiskey is still there, and we are waiting for him to come for it. Hajakujia bro.”
The late former Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore had intended to gift Uhuru Kenyatta with the Johnie Walker Directors Blend whisky, a 700 ml bottle priced at Ksh 460,000 and boasting a 46% alcohol volume.
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Also read: Interesting facts emerge about Bob Collymore’s two wills written before his death