Veteran journalist Catherine Kasavuli is dead, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) acting Managing Director Samuel Maina has confirmed.
Kasavuli, 60, breathed her last on Thursday night at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she was receiving treatment for cervical cancer.
Kasavuli's family went public about her condition while appealing for blood donation in early November.
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The news anchor's media colleagues joined the campaign and urged Kenyans to visit KNH's private wing and donate blood for the media icon.
'It has not been easy'
Later, while thanking those who responded to an appeal to donate blood for her, Kasavuli admitted that the past month had not been easy for her.
"Last one month has really been crazy for me, I want to take this moment and appreciate my family, colleagues in the media industry, the Catherine Kasavuli Foundation team, my doctors, friends, strangers, online community; I wish I could respond to all your messages, I see them and I'm really humbled. May God remember you," she wrote.
"To special people that have come forth to donate blood may God bless you, may he enrich your beautiful souls, may He meet with the desires of your heart. To special souls that are contributing towards my medical bill, I love you so much and God bless you," she added.
The journalist further expressed optimism that she would overcome the fight against cancer.
"It's not an easy journey but I believe in God's faithfulness and breakthrough. To anyone fighting the same struggle - I love you, we shall overcome, life is a beautiful thing and we shall live to tell our stories."
Some of the high-profile personalities who visited her in the hospital recently include Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and her Sports counterpart Ababu Namwamba among others.
KNH, Nairobi
Visited veteran broadcaster Catherine Kasavuli who is recuperating at @KNH_hospital and prayed for her continued recovery.
I also visited other patients at KNH and listened to their feedback regarding service delivery. Together with KNH we will act on this feedback pic.twitter.com/kkWgfxN3li— CS Nakhumicha S. Wafula (@Nakhumicha_S) December 22, 2022
First female news anchor
Kasavuli was the first female news anchor in the country having started her career as a radio continuity announcer in 1980 at the Voice of Kenya, which was renamed KBC in 1989.
She is credited with breaking the glass ceiling for female TV journalists in the country.
Kasavuli returned to KBC in 2020 after a relaunch and hosted the Legend Edition
She previously worked on other television stations including Citizen Television and Kenya Television Network (KTN).
