Kenya’s media landscape experienced a significant loss in 2024 with the passing of several media personalities.
These included veteran journalists who had made a remarkable impact on the media industry.
Nairobileo.co.ke highlights the journalist deaths recorded in 2024 as follows:
Njambi 'Jahmby' Koikai
Media personality and renowned reggae MC Jahmby Koikai died on June 3, 2024, while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
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The veteran reggae host had been battling endometriosis for an extended period, during which she underwent several surgical procedures.
Her death elicited massive reactions, with Kenyans mourning her as an inspiration in the entertainment and media industry.
Jahmby became a household name in the country thanks to her exemplary MC skills, especially on reggae shows. She has also hosted several radio stations, such as Metro and Q FM.
She was also featured on The Trend show as a regular panelist prior to her hospitalization.
Mutegi Njau
The former Citizen TV journalist died on Thursday, June 28, 2024.
While confirming his demise, his family described him as a remarkable man whose generosity, sense of humour, and dedication to his career left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
Njau had a long, illustrious journalism career that spanned decades, having worked for other leading media houses, including Kenya Broadcasting Services (KBC) and Nation Media Group.
The veteran journalist left Nation Media Group in 2005 after working at the station for 24 years before joining Citizen TV.
At the Royal Media-owned station, Njau worked as a senior editor who doubled up as a resident analyst for a morning show dubbed Cheche, which was co-hosted by David Makali, another veteran journalist.
He earned the audience's admiration through his warm demeanor during his tenure at Citizen TV, where he worked until retiring.
Rita Tinina
The late NTV Kenya journalist was found dead at her home in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, on March 17, 2024.
According to autopsy results, the veteran journalist died from severe pneumonia.
She was laid to rest on March 27, 2024, at their family home in Noosupeni Farm, Narok County.
Tinina left behind her 8-year-old daughter, Mia Malaika.
Shadrack Mitty
The Standard Group journalist died on May 29, 2024, while receiving treatment at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital.
According to a statement by the Standard Group, Mitty's condition deteriorated on May 28, 2024, leading to his death the day after.
Until his death, he was a renowned education reporter at the Mombasa Road-based media house.
Michael Oyier
The veteran journalist and Public Relations (PR) expert died on April 20, 2024, while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
The late media personality was buried on May 3, 2024, at his family home in Homa Bay County.
Oyier left behind eight children.
Dickens Wesonga
The Star newspaper journalist died on January 26, 2024, after being involved in a fatal accident at the Mamboleo flyover on the Kisumu-Kakamega road.
Until his death, he was the chairman of the Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN), a position he held since November 2023.
Prior to joining Radio Africa Group, he worked with Standard, Nation Media, Africa, and Press International, among others.
Wasonga left behind his wife, Florence Koki, and two children.
Samuel Makenda
The veteran Baraka FM broadcaster died on May 16, 2024, aged 52.
Baraka FM reported that Makenda died while receiving treatment at Machakos Hospital.
Makenda worked for Baraka FM from 2000 and left in 2007 to pursue political interests.
During his time at the media house, he hosted a show dubbed Chanja Maswala, which enjoyed a considerable following in the coastal region.
He left behind four children.
Washington Akumu
The former Nation editor and business journalist passed away on April 22, 2024, after suffering a heart attack.
Media reports indicated that Akumu had been diagnosed with cancer of the spine and was undergoing chemotherapy until his demise.
Akumu left the Nation Media Group in 2014 and ventured into public relations until his death.
Peter Okong’o
The former Standard Group journalist died on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the age of 54.
According to his family, the veteran journalist died at his Nairobi home after complaining of chest pains and a headache.
Paramedics who were called by the family to attend to him pronounced him dead minutes after they arrived.
Okong’o joined the Standard Group in 1999 as a sub-editor before leaving to join the Nation Media Group in 2003 as a business editor.
The veteran journalist later left NMG in 2008 to rejoin the Standard Group before leaving in 2015 to join the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) as a technical advisor of communications.
In 2019, Okong’o joined the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board as the Editorial Manager. He later served as a consultant for different firms, including the Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie.
Mercy Mawia
The Mbaitu FM presenter passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
According to the station, Mawia, popularly known by her fans as Kamuwetangi, was admitted for a surgical procedure before she died while undergoing treatment.
Mbaitu FM disclosed that the radio presenter died with her husband at the bedside, who confirmed the death.
Fatma Rajab
The presenter and reporter for Mombasa-based Mo Radio passed away on January 6, 2024, while in the Intensive Care Unit at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Rajab was battling a heart disease that eventually took her life.
She was mourned by several journalists and leaders, including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff.
Rajab was interred on Sunday, January 7, in accordance with Islamic rites.