A Long serving Information Officer in the Department of Information, John Kipkoech Saina has died.
Saina, who until his death on Friday July 17th 2020, served as the County Information Officer West Pokot County, passed on while undergoing treatment for colon cancer at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), in Eldoret.
The late Saina, who colleagues in the department described as soft-spoken, joined the Ministry of Information in the year 1995 and was posted to Kabarnet station in Baringo County. He was later transferred to Eldama Ravine where he served before moving to Kitale in Trans Nzoia County.
The deceased also served a short stint in Mt. Elgon before moving to West Pokot County where he served as County Information Officer until his demise.
Saina, who was the fifth born in a family of five, was born on April 6, 1968 at Kaptarakwa, in Elgeyo Marakwet County to the late Benjamin Kipsaina Komen and the late Flora Sote Kipsaina.
He started his primary education at Flaxe mixed day and boarding primary school in 1975 and later went to Timboiywo boarding primary school in Baringo County where he sat and passed his CPE in 1986 and joined Kituro High School for his Secondary education.
After sitting for his KCSE in 1988, the late Saina proceeded to Sacho High School for his Form-Five and Six education course and successfully passed his KACE examination that enabled him to join Moi University for a Bachelor of Arts degree after undergoing pre-university NYS programme.
In 1995 Saina enrolled for a certificate course at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and a post graduate diploma in 1999.
Journalists and friends in the West Pokot and Trans Nzoia counties eulogized the 52-year-old veteran journalist as a down to earth man with West Pokot Journalists Association Chair, Joseph Kintu, saying the late has left a big gap in the journalism field in the County.
The West Pokot County Police Commander, Jackson Tumwet said he was shocked to lose such a friend.
A colleague, Pauline Ikanda, the County Information Officer in neighbouring Trans Nzoia County who worked with Saina at the Nairobi provincial information office in Nyayo House and later in Kitale described the late Saina as generous, humble, and non-controversial and an officer who abhorred conflict with anybody.
As an information officer he mentored many journalists whom he was assigned to train as attaches and interns.
Saina leaves behind his wife, Gladys Jepchirchir Cherono and four children, Angela, Vivian, Dennis and Emmanuel and two grandchildren. He will be laid to rest at Sumbeiywo farm, Flax on Wednesday July 22, 2020.
By Kiptanui Cherono
