TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PETER SCOTT SIMBIRI- FROM POSTBANK COLLEAGUES
[ Everybody had something to say about him ]
We, at Postbank will always remember Peter Scott Simbiri as a friend to many.
He was an easy going colleague and a kind hearted man who couldn’t even afford to harm a fly. For over ;18 years I worked with him, I never saw him angry. He was always smiling.
At Finance Department, Scott was the office DJ. He entertained us with different genre of music he used to play in his portable radio fondly called ‘’his master’s voice’’ with a huge loudspeaker. Each day of the week had its category of music:
On Monday and Tuesday, he played classic music interchanging it with Classic FM 105.2
On Wednesday and Thursday, he played gospel music exclusively
On Fridays, the volumes went up as he played ohangala music signalling the start of the weekend which greatly helped lift the weight off our shoulders after a tough week in the office. We enjoyed the office environment because of the late Peter scott Cameroon Simbiri.
Nb.
If by mistake he ever played ohangala in the office on a day like Thursday, quite a number of us would fail to report to work on Friday since Peter had already made it a Saturday.
To the people who love soft music while they are working, the words that emanate from them were ‘’Very reliable DJ’’ many people used to wonder how such music would be allowed in the office. New Managers would threaten the music but after a while, they too became addicts.
Did you know That Scott was a preacher? In his own way he evangelized the gospel of Our Lord by sending inspirational messages about life in Christianity for many years.
Every morning, as far back as I can remember, Scotts email was always the first mail in my inbox, long before 8am. The messages were always inspiring, giving hope and teaching on the embracing LOVE of God for His children. He urged us to tread on in life with hope and assurance that God was indeed watching out for His children.
I remember Petaa or Simbiri as most of us fondly called him, as one who was always duty conscious, Passionate with his work - I recall he was always the first to arrive in the office every morning. It is not surprising that he came to the office early up to his last day in this world. He was very thorough and dedicated (almost to perfection) with his work.
Friendship.
His friendship lacked boundaries, very Kenyan - those of us who know his friends within or without the bank, reflects the face of Kenya: Momanyi, Cheraste, Hakim, Kioi, Maingi, Soimo, Mwasi, Chavene, Rotich, Musembi, Waweru, Mareka, Lelei etc just but to mention a few. He never looked beneath the skin to associate with anyone, he was loyal to his friends and regardless of how rough or unreasonable you were to him, he could not get angry at you. He was a friend indeed.
Extremely humble gentleman (mpole na muungwana), always willing to assist even if it meant bending backwards. He was very dynamic and updated; technology could not scare him. He was the ICT person in Finance Department. He knew everything about computers, internet, networks and other related gadgets.
He was always helpful when you sought his assistance. Though he would occasionally complain when he thought you were overusing him, he would always go ahead and assist.
Kindness
He was always willing to share with everyone. Despite him saying that he was hungry in the office, he would always let someone share his pizza, nduma, groundnuts, yoghurt, chips or split the sausage to feed a hungry soul.
Kebaso’s Confession & I quote:
“You know Peter had an appetite for good food, notwithstanding the price, though he would obviously afford the same. So one day I tried to tease him; he was having a sumptuous burger during lunch, and I commented - "Simbiri umeweka dish mbele sana", he just laughed a little and continued munching and about to finish, he remarked; " Sasa wewe Kebaso unaenda pale River road unakula lunch ya 50.00 bob halafu jioni unaenda kunywa keroro ya 1,000.00; sasa umetumia akili gani? jenga mwili kwanza". We were all seated in the office and guys busted in laughter, sikujibu tena, lest nipate another one’’.
Love for his siblings
Petaa always mentioned his siblings with such fondness that we came to know them though we had never met them in life. He would always mention Florence, Asenath, Jane, Sam, Davy and nieces like Rehema and Amani. He loved his people more than he loved himself. He sacrificed his time for them.
His last words he shared with a few friends via an Email at 9.32 am on January 15, 2015 before he left for medical tests titled
‘’KINDNESS GONE VIRAL’’:
A portion of the message read: and I quote
Jesus lets us know that all of us are safe in His presence. Whether awake or asleep, we can lean on Him. When we are exhausted, He provides a safe place for us to rest.
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the nights deepens and tempests are wild
Still I can trust Him- I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child
God is a safe resting place.
INSIGHT
Jesus demonstrated that true faith in God was not bound by cultural concerns. In patriarchal society, he met and talked with women (see John 4). He ate and drank with those who were considered impure (see Luke 7:36) He even embraced children, when most would push them aside (Mark 10:13-14). Jesus didn’t simply say that He had come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) He demonstrated it by showing that God’s Love is open to everyone.
As colleagues, Scott opened our eyes in terms of loving others, sharing with others, breaking tribal & cultural barriers and helping others tirelessly.
I will borrow a quote to describe Scott from Robin Sharma’s book, ‘’The Monk who sold his Ferrari’’ and I quote:
‘‘I am than I appear to be, all the world’s strength and power rests inside me’’
xxx
Simbiri alikuwa jamaa mpoa. May our Almighty Lord rest his soul in eternal peace.
Erokamano ahinya