Notable Kenyans who've passed away in 2024 so far

Piece by: MERCY MURIITHI

19 March 2024

• In 2024 Kenyans have lost several notable individuals which has left many with heavy hearts as grief and sorrow befall them. Despite their untimely deaths, these notable individuals left quite a unique mark in their wake.

This past weekend, Kenyans were hit by the sad news of the passing of famous TikToker Brian Chira and that of NTV journalist, Rita Tinina.

In 2024 Kenyans have lost several notable individuals which has left many with heavy hearts as grief and sorrow befall them. Despite their untimely deaths, these notable individuals left quite a unique mark in their wake.

The prominent personalities in this list below will be missed for the mark they left on Kenyans.

1: NTV's journalist Rita Tinina

The NTV journalist was found dead at her residence in Kileleshwa, Nairobi on Sunday, March 17th, 2024.

She was expected to be at work at NTV, where she was employed, but did not show up. Concerned by her absence, NTV management went to her house and found her dead.

The cause of death remains unknown, according to the police. Tinina's family was present when the police arrived to transport the body to the mortuary for an autopsy.

2: Brian Chira

The popular Tiktoker died on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in a hit-and-run accident.

The content creator was reportedly involved in a road accident in the Karuri area, Kiambu County.

According to Police, Chira died after being hit by a speeding car. His body was later moved to the City Mortuary with injuries on the forehead.

Police also said the deceased had been to a bar in the Gacharage area and later caused a commotion. He was then forced out.

He later took a motorcycle to his home and alighted before he tried to cross on foot when he was hit by the said car.

4: Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum

The marathoner died Feb 11 in a road crash. He was in the company of his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana, according to authorities.

Kiptum is said to have lost control of this vehicle, veered off the road, and then hit a tree. Kiptum and Hakizimana died at the scene and another passenger was taken to a hospital.

Kiptum widely known for his marathon record of two hours and 35 seconds was just at the peak of his career as he had been ratified a week before his untimely death by the World Athletics, and was positioning himself to run under two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14 this year.

He was also expected to represent Kenya in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

6: Lizzie Wanyoike

Lizzie Wanyoike, a mentor and celebrated educationist, passed away on January 14, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer.

During her burial, her family disclosed that her health struggles began in 2018. She was laid to rest on January 23, 2024, at her late husband’s home in Murang’a County.

Lizzie Wanyoike passed on at the age of 73 years leaving behind three children and 12 grandchildren.

She was the founder of Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) Technical College, Emory Hotel, and Lizzie Wanyoike Preparatory School among other businesses in the country.

8: Starlet Wahu

24-year-old Instagram model Starlet Wahu was found murdered on January 3, 2024, in a short-term rental in South B, where she had checked in with Matara.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had been strangled, and a deep-cut wound on her thigh had severed a vein, leading to a substantial loss of blood that ultimately claimed her life.

The accused, a man now identified as John Matara, aged 30, was apprehended the following day at Mbagathi Hospital, seeking treatment for an injury believed to have occurred during a confrontation with Wahu at the apartment.

Reports indicate that Starlet was buried barely 3 days prior.

9: LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Jaffar Jackson

The former M-Net Idol and Kenyan stylist left this world on January 7, succumbing to complications arising from a stomach infection.

Jaffar’s family disclosed that he had been hospitalized recently, and despite efforts to raise funds for his medical treatment, the beloved entertainer could not overcome the health challenges he faced.

The shocking news came to light when actress Lydia Gitachu shared the heartbreaking update on social media.

“Jackson was suffering from a stomach infection. We found out he was hospitalised yesterday. I spoke to him and his uncle who raised money for the medication prescribed. Kuamkia this morning (January 7), Lydia Gitachu posted about his demise after being contacted by a neighbor,” actress Nice Githinji updated Jaffar’s celebrity friends in a fundraising WhatsApp group.

He was laid to rest on January 18 at Langata Cemetery.

10: ‘Firirinda’ hitmaker Dick Munyonyi

Popular Mugiithi artist Dick Munyonyi breathed his last on January 6, after a prolonged battle with illness.

The veteran Mugithi singer came to the limelight in 2021 with his three-decade-old song Firirinda.

Dick Munyonyi’s musical journey began in 1971, and he reached a pinnacle in 1989 when he had the honor of performing at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s wedding.

Unfortunately, his career took a downturn after the release of ‘Firirinda’ due to tuberculosis.

In a past interview, Munyonyi explained, “As time went by, I could not sing because my voice became hoarse, and I could not sing.”

Despite his health challenges, he continued to contribute to the music scene by playing the guitar during his son’s performances.

The resurgence of Munyonyi’s fame came in 2021 when ‘Firirinda’ went viral on TikTok, 35 years after its initial release.

In January 2023, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer but remained optimistic about returning to the stage and entertaining his fans.

He was laid to rest on January, 13.