The death of veteran author and Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist Ken Walibora on Friday, April 10 resulting from a hit and run along Landhies Road in Nairobi raised eyebrows.
This is because the circumstances surrounding his death were eerily similar to those of two other journalists from the same media house, who passed away in the last two months.
On March 7, NTV lost journalist Raphael Nzioki in a hit-and-run accident in the city centre.
A matatu hit him while crossing the road at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street.
The driver of the matatu has since been arrested and charged with causing his death.
On March 16, Christine Omulando, an NMG journalist tragically lost her life in a road accident near the Khoja Mosque area roundabout.
Her death mirrored Walibora's in that she was reported missing only for her body to be found at the city mortuary several days later,
Her family and colleagues had tried to reach her through her phone both on March 17 and 18, with no success.
According to official police reports, a matatu veered off the road and hit several pedestrians including Omulando, who was then run over by a minibus and died on the spot.
She had reported to work on March 16 and left the office for lunch in the afternoon never to return.
In the latest tragic incident, Walibora's body was found at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) mortuary on Wednesday, April 15, after he was reportedly knocked down by a matatu in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
Nairobi area police commander Philip Ndolo, confirmed that the driver of the said matatu had on the day of the accident recorded a statement with the police at 9 a.m.
“He was chased after, arrested and made to record a statement for careless driving and causing grievous harm,” the regional police boss told Daily Nation.
The police commander went on to reveal that the driver was released on a Ksh10,000 cash bail as Walibora was rushed to hospital by a well-wisher.
“We are looking for the driver so as to press fresh charges against him now that his victim succumbed to his injuries. He shall then be arraigned in court,” officer Ndolo further revealed.
