Nation Media Group Senior Editor Ali Zaidi has passed on as reported by one of his close friends, Rasna Warah.
The scribe, who worked at NMG-owned publication, The East African, died on Friday evening and the cause of his death is yet to be known.
“Very sad to announce that Ali Zaidi, editor at the East African, a friend and mentor to many writers and journalists, passed away last night. He will be missed greatly. RIP Ali,” tweeted Warah.
His colleagues have described the departed journalist as a stickler for perfection.
“Ali Zaidi was the most creative editor I’ve ever worked with, an easy going guy with the ability to turn the dreariest story into a polished gem,” Kwamchetsi Makokha mourned.
“A friend and very engaging person. A very good editor to write for. This is very sad,” reacted Kalundi Serumaga.
“Ali is simply the best editor I have had the good fortune to work with. His knowledge, learning, wit and affability are second to none.
“He has an excellent eye for talent and encourages and nurtures it. When I first worked for him at the East African when he was editor it was one of the most original papers I had ever read,” Betty Caplan a lecturer of English at Abdullah Gul University Kayseri, Turkey notes about the late scribe on LinkedIn.
Before joining NMG, Zaidi worked at an editor at Space Sellers which owned The Executive magazine.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Aligarh University in India.
