Ali Mtenzi: Walibora worked hard; there was a time he fainted shortly after reading the day’s bulletin

Kenyans continue to mourn prolific writer and journalist Ken Walibora who died at the Kenyatta National Hospital after he was hit by a matatu on Landhies Road in Nairobi last Friday, April 10.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led Kenyans in eulogising the Late Walibora, who died aged 56.

“President Kenyatta has condoled with the family of celebrated Kenyan Kiswahili scholar, author and journalist Prof. Ken Walibora. The president described the Late Walibora as a polished broadcaster and prolific writer whose literary works will continue to inspire future generations,” read State House-Kenya Facebook post Wednesday, April 15.

Besides the president, veteran journalist Ali Mtenzi is among the Kenyans who have mourned Walibora.

Mtenzi described Walibora as a hard-working person whose commitment to his work was unmatched.

“There was a time NTV Swahili news desk had a very lean team, made up of myself, Walibora and Swaleh Mdoe as editors. On this particular day, Walibora and I were the editors on shift. We did not know that he had worked for two weeks continuously without rest. So, after preparing the day’s news bulletin, which he presented on air without any challenges, Walibora collapsed while leaving for home. We rushed him to hospital, where he was treated and discharged. Doctors attributed his fainting to fatigue. He worked hard, never complained and his key priority was always getting the work done,” Ali Mtenzi told NTV Sasa in an interview Wednesday.

Walibora was among the pioneer Swahili news editors at NTV.

Police say the Siku Njema author was hit by a Double-M matatu on Landhies Road on Friday, April 10 at 9:20am.

Police, who arrived at the scene, called a Nairobi Metropolitan Ambulance which took Walibora to KNH. In his pockets, were a Mercedes-Benz car key and press card.

Walibora died hours after being admitted at KNH, police said.

The driver of the matatu that fatally hit Walibora was arrested and the vehicle impounded. He was later released on bond, police said.

“We are now looking for him (driver), given his victim (Walibora) died as a result of the crash,” Central OCPD Mark Wanjala told K24 Digital.

Walibora’s family, who last saw him on Friday, filed a missing person’s report at Muthangari Police Station.

The Late author’s remains are preserved at KNH morgue.