By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT
Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has paid an emotional tribute to fallen former Nation Media Group journalist Kitavi Mutua. He described him as a journalist of conviction who dedicated more than two decades to telling the stories of Kitui County and the wider Ukambani region.
The sentiments were contained in a eulogy read by Kitui County Woman Representative Irene Kasalu on his behalf during Mutua’s funeral service at Kisayani Primary School in Kitui South on Saturday. Kalonzo recalled that the late journalist joined Nation Media Group in 2002 as a correspondent covering the Lower Eastern region.
For more than 20 years, Kalonzo said, Mutua devoted his journalism career to highlighting issues affecting ordinary people, including access to water, healthcare, agriculture, politics, county governance and community development.
"His stories revolved around our water, our hospitals, our farmers, our politics, our county governments and our people," Kalonzo said.
The Wiper leader, who hails from Kitui County, remembered Mutua as a journalist who consistently carried the concerns of ordinary families from remote villages such as Kisayani to the national newsroom. "He did it without fear or flattery. He had no patience for hypocrisy. In our country, that is a rare virtue," he observed.
Kalonzo said he had come to know Mutua more closely in recent years when the journalist undertook research for the writing of his second autobiography. He described the assignment as one that required patience, honesty and exceptional listening skills, qualities he said Mutua possessed in abundance.
"That kind of work demands patience, honesty and a good ear. And Kitavi had all three," he said.
The Wiper leader expressed sadness that Mutua would not live to see the autobiography completed, noting that his contribution had already become part of the book. He added that appropriate ways of recognising and honouring the journalist's contribution to the project would be explored.
Beyond journalism, Kalonzo described Mutua as a passionate farmer, an environmental enthusiast who loved planting trees, a man of faith and a mentor who generously nurtured young journalists and communicators. "A man of faith and a mentor to many young journalists and communicators who learned from his generosity. The trees he planted will keep growing, and so will the people he guided," he said.
Meanwhile, Green Action Party leader Isaac Kalua Green also paid tribute to Mutua, particularly highlighting his mentorship and contribution to nurturing writing talent. Kalua Green said Mutua played a significant role in sharpening his writing skills, helping him develop the confidence and technical ability to write newspaper opinion columns.
He credited the late journalist with teaching him how to structure and compose articles effectively, noting that his mentorship had enabled him to venture into newspaper column writing. Green's tribute added to the growing recognition of Mutua's legacy not only as a committed journalist but also as a mentor whose influence extended beyond the newsroom.
Mutua died on October 30 following complications arising from a snake bite suffered days earlier.
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