Editor's Review
Former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu eulogised the deceased as a professional whose work touched many.
Veteran Nation Media Group Kitavi Mutua is dead.
The journalist was reported dead Saturday, October 31, with details of the death's cause undisclosed, despite unconfirmed reports of him having been hospitalised after an alleged snake bite.
Until his death, Mutua was based in Kitui and was NMG's regional correspondent covering courts, crime, accidents, and politics.
Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu was among the leaders from the Ukambani region who led the tributes.
Ngilu eulogised Mutua as a friend and a distinguished professional whose work touched many.
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“Kitavi was a distinguished journalist whose career spanned many years. He built and maintained meaningful relationships across every section of the community,” Ngilu said.
According to her, Kitui had lost one of its own.
“Kitui has lost a great son of the soil, an impeccable scribe, and an outstanding role model to this generation,” Ngilu said.
The former governor also sent her condolences to Mutua’s wife, Grace, and the couple’s two children, whom she described as bearing a sudden and painful loss.
“We pray that the Lord grants you comfort, understanding, and the strength to bear this loss,” she said, ending her message with “Go well, Kitavi.”
Kitui woman representative Irene Kasalu said Mutua played a major part in her early years in politics.
The two established their friendship over a decade ago when Kasalu was trying her hands in politics, helping her shape her political communication and branding.
“At a time when I was finding my footing in the political space, he took me under his wing, held my hand, and introduced me to the intricacies of communication. He generously shared his knowledge, offered guidance, and helped me understand the important relationship between politics and the media,” Kasalu said.
Kasalu also recognised Mutua for going out of his way and his role as a journalist to mentor those who sought his counsel.
According to the lawmaker, the pain of Mutua's passing extends beyond his family and hence is a loss to many who knew him and his contributions to the society.
"Beyond being a journalist, Kitavi was a mentor, a friend and a professional who believed in helping others. I will forever be grateful for the role he played in shaping my understanding of communication and political engagement. His passing is not just a loss to his family and friends, but also to the journalism fraternity and the people of Kitui, whom he served through his profession,” Kasalu said.
Mutua’s byline appeared in the Nation flagship paper, Daily Nation, and its regional sister titles, his works including covering the death of senior lawyer Nzamba Kitonga in 2020, reportage on the death of twin brothers in Kitui who died on the same day, and in 2021 when he covered the acquittal of a former Catholic priest charged with attempting to kill a woman and her child and on the prosecution’s plans to appeal.
