The transport industry in East Africa lost a titan this week. Azym Dossa, the visionary founder of Easy Coach, passed away following a short illness, leaving behind a 21-year legacy that changed the way we travel.

From a modest startup to a regional empire, Dossa’s journey from the CFO desk at Akamba Bus to the helm of a green-and-white fleet is a masterclass in entrepreneurship.

In 2003, Easy Coach wasn’t the giant it is today. Dossa began with just seven buses and a single route: Nairobi–Kisumu. He didn’t need to conquer the country on day one; he just needed to do one route better than anyone else. Today, that vision serves over 35 destinations.

Before Easy Coach, long-distance travel was often unpredictable. Dossa revolutionized the sector by introducing structured schedules and standby buses for emergencies. He knew that in the transport business, you aren’t just moving people, you’re moving their trust

Dossa didn’t start Easy Coach on a whim. As the former Chief Financial Officer of the now-defunct Akamba Bus, he saw firsthand what worked and, more importantly, what didn’t. He used those “corporate scars” to build a more resilient, customer-focused model.

True leadership is revealed in a crisis. During the pandemic, Dossa admitted that reserves were “significantly depleted.” Yet, his priority remained clear: making strategic decisions that ensured the business survived while taking care of his employees.

Even in retirement, Dossa’s heart remained with the company. Though he stepped back due to health and age, he pledged to remain an advisor.

He wasn’t just a boss; he was a “charismatic presence” whose wit and wisdom defined the company’s culture until the very end.

Family, friends, and the business community will gather to bid farewell to a devoted family man—survived by his wife Dilshad, his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.