Salim Mohammed, a veteran journalist who served in the Presidential Press Service (PPS), Voice of Kenya, and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been laid to rest in Mombasa.
The journalist passed away yesterday and was laid to rest at the Sarigoi Muslim Cemetery in accordance with Islamic traditions. The late Mohammed is a father-in-law to Mombasa businessman Abubakar Joho.
“He was the guardian of many people in the journalism industry, his career spanned different media houses, and today we have come to bury him, which is a big blow. Personally, he was my favorite and he was our biggest supporter, may God rest him in a good place,” said Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir during the burial.
“He was a pioneer in journalism at a time when there were no social media but he was a household name,” he added.
Magogoni MCA Hassan Mohammed said in spite of a huge age gap with the deceased, he has heard from family members that he served in the government diligently and he is a role model to many journalists.
Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal said the country has lost a senior journalist. “I personally remember him as a friend of my uncle and when I was in Nairobi school he used to come and visit me. Today is a sad day for all of us and the whole of Mombasa we have lost an esteemed person,” said Shahbal.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho described the late journalist as humble and charismatic. “He was also a very loving caring fatherly figure whose counsel I will miss dearly,” said Joho.
By Sadik Hassan
