The media industry in Kenya is mourning the death of Timothy Kemei, a journalist who died this afternoon at the age of 32.
The late Kemei was until his death the Chief Public Relations Officer at the County Government of Kericho and had earlier worked at Nation Media Group as a correspondent in Nairobi, Nakuru and Kericho counties.
Announcing his death this afternoon, Kericho Governor Charles Chpkwony said Kemei developed breathing problems last night occasioned by his long history and struggle with asthma.
He added that efforts to resuscitate him at Siloam Hospital within Kericho town failed. He is survived by his widow-Mercy, their two-year-old son.
“Timothy was an astute and diligent civil servant and a strong pillar in my administration,” the Governor noted while conveying his condolences to family members, his staff and the journalism fraternity as a whole.
With news of his death, his friends and colleagues mourned him as a dedicated and likeable person who believed in teamwork and professionalism.
Mr Lynton Yegon, the Head of Radio at Radio Light and Life 107.3 Fm- Changing Lives described him as the kindest mad most supportive person he had known in the Media and Church circles in Kericho.
“Death is so cruel,” he wrote on Kemei’s Facebook timeline adding that he (Kemei) had promised to listen to his show later Sunday night where he would be hosting Preacher and motivational speaker Robert Burale.
His former colleagues at NMG remembered how he would experience breathing problems occasioned by blocked nostrils during cold seasons.
“This is very shocking. RIP Timothy. Life is fragile,” wrote Mr Erick Matara of NMG Nakuru regional bureau.
Mediamax Networks Ltd regional head Mr Noah Agui said his death was heartbreaking and blood cuddling.
“OMG. Mutyo chorwenyu Kemei Timothy. Mutyo man,” he stated.