K24’s Daniel Chemjor laid to rest

By Kigotho Mwangi

K24 Television director Daniel Chemjor was laid to rest in Kiboino near Kabarnet Town in Baringo Central on Saturday, December 7.

A funeral service was conducted in the morning at Kiboino Primary School before Chemjor was interred at his home, a few meters away.

The ceremony was attended by, among others, area Governor Stanley Kiptis and Mediamax Network Limited staff.

K24 TV Swahili news presenter Ken Wariahe eulogised Chemjor as a “cheerful and cooperative” person.

“Just before the news bulletin goes live, you would hear him make you laugh to ease the tension,” said Wariahe.

Chemjor’s family described him as a hard-working person, who would go to any length to educate his children, siblings and other relatives.

Baringo Governor, Kiptis, eulogised Chemjor as an industrious man, who went about his work with unparalleled passion.

Chemjor died on the night of November 20 after his vehicle plunged into the Cheploch Gorge at the Kerio Valley Bridge on the Kabarnet-Eldoret highway.

Police retrieved his body and vehicle from the over 100-metre deep gorge — that is famous for its daredevil divers — on November 21 at about 11:50 am.

The father of five was alone in the car at the time of accident.

Chemjor had taken paternity leave to be with his family after his wife delivered a son a few weeks to November 20.

Mediamax acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken Ngaruiya said he was saddened by Chemjor’s death.

“I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the family, colleagues and friends on behalf of the senior management here at Mediamax. Chemjor was highly respected by managers and employees alike throughout the entire company. He was regarded as a dedicated worker by everyone who worked with him,” said CEO Ngaruiya.

Ngaruiya condoled with his family, noting Chemjor’s seven years of dedicated and selfless service to the company.

“Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. I am well aware of the difference he made in the lives of many people, in the company and his private life. Many will miss him,” said Ngaruiya.

Mediamax Head of TV and Digital, Peter Opondo, said Chemjor was an affable and humble man who was dedicated to his work.

“I have known Chemjor since way back in 2004 when we worked together at KTN. By then he used to produce a business show. I have watched him grow and progress over the years to his latest role where he was the head of news directors at Mediamax, and specifically K24. He was such a humble, affable and dedicated team member whose contribution shall be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his young family, especially his widow who gave birth to their last-born child just a few weeks ago,” said Opondo.

Another colleague, Isabella Kituri, said Chemjor was an easy-going person who had a ready smile and a joke to lighten up tense moments in the news gallery.

“Daniel Chemjor, the ever-smiling man from Kiboin always had a joke, was friend to all, and a passionate news director. We will miss you in the news gallery. From college in Kenya Institute of Mass Communication to KTN where you worked on Business Weekly to the news desk and off we moved to K24 TV. It has been a ‘tortoise’ journey as you jovially called it, now you rest.

So sad for your newborn, wife and children. May God comfort them,” said Kituri.

And during the funeral service on December 7, Governor Kiptis said the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) should redesign the Iten-Kabarnet road, which, he says, has been a death trap.

The county chief said his government will adequately equip divers in the county.