A somber mood engulfed Olokirikrai village in Narok North Sub County during the burial ceremony of renowned tele-journalist Rita Tinina.
Politicians, top media personnel, government officials and villagers congregated to mourn the death of the departed soul whom they described as a valued member in the media fraternity.
Nation Media Group Editor in Chief Joe Ageyo, from where Tinina worked until her demise, said she was dearly loved in the media house for her humility and ability to complete her assignments on time.
“I have worked with her for 15 years in the media industry. I want to confirm that she was a professional and a humble person. She was dependable because the work that you could do for three hours, she did it in one hour,” said Ageyo.
Tinina was a strategic person, he said, who planned her work well in case she wanted to take a day off from her normal duties.
“I thank the villagers for coming in large numbers to celebrate Tinina. Her life is worth celebrating as she lived a quiet and humble life. Despite being famous, she did not show that she was more important than others, instead, she easily related with everyone,” continued Ageyo.
“Her life reminds me that it is possible to do good, become famous and yet remain humble. Ask yourself this question, when you will be leaving the earth, what will people remember you for?” he reiterated.
Citizen Television Director of Strategy and Innovation Linus Kaikai eulogized Tinina as a woman who has left a great impact in the media industry.
Kaikai, who doubles as the Chairperson of Kenya Editors Guild described Tinina as a good person who was not easily angered.
“Am still waiting to see a person who had an opportunity to see Rita angry. She was well organized such that she had no time to be angry,” he noted.
Dann Mwangi, a journalist at NTV, who led the funeral programme said he had lost a close friend, who was content in herself and her job.
Unlike many journalists, Mwangi said Tinina did not shy off from consulting where she was in doubt, which made her become very impactful in the media house.
Also present was Statehouse Press Secretary Emmanuel Taalam, who read President William Ruto condolence message before making his own remarks.
Taalam told the mourners that he schooled with Tinina at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and later joined the media industry together.
“She was a composed, diligent and beautiful girl. When we joined KIMC together, I thought I could marry her, but she asked me to keep a distance first,” he joked.
Politicians present included: Senators Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Enoch Wambua (Kitui) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi). Members of Parliament were: Agnes Pareyio (Narok North), Babu Owino (Embakasi East) and Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South)
Tinina started her career back in 1999 at Royal Media Group before she joined the Standard Media group where she worked for ten years and left in 2023 to join the Nation Media Group as an editor.
She was buried in her parents’ farm at Olokirikrai area in Narok North Sub County. She is survived by her eight-year-old daughter Mayer Malaika.
By Ann Salaton
