Nairobi News

NTV Kenya’s Rita Tinina’s funeral was held on March 27, 2024, a day before her 46th birthday. She passed on following a bout of severe pneumonia at her Kileleshwa home in Nairobi.

Her funeral was held at her family home in Noosupeni Farm Olokirikirai,  Narok County where her family, friends, colleagues and a host of politicians were in attendance. Among them were Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina who was accompanied by his Kitui County counterpart.

In his condolence message, Senator Ledama promised that he would pay for the education of the late Rita Tinina’s daughter since Rita’s parents were also gone, and promised to stand by Robert Nagila who was the partner to Rita.

“To the family of Yiapan, Malaika and my brother Robert Nagila, poleni sana. Rita touched the lives of many, and I have many other political colleagues coming here to be with us.

This is a difficult day and that is why I am wearing dark-coloured clothes because we have lost a young person who has left a young child. It is very worrying and you find yourself asking God, why? Why did you take Rita away? A woman who put our village on the global map.

This is a hard question. I’d like to tell the family, your worries and cries are mine too. To the media fraternity, may God bless you for the unity you’ve shown to come and send off your colleague.

She touched the hearts of many and we will miss her for long. The only consolation that I have is that we are all on that path. We will follow her behind. When God then calls us, what will be said about us?

Today we’ve heard many things about what Rita did. To the community, strengthen your hearts. To Malkia, we have your back. We will help you. Many people speak but Robert, we will be there to support the young girl.

I will personally ensure I pay for her secondary school education because Rita’s parents went ahead of her,” said Senator Ledama.

A former journalist, Senator Erick Wambua of Kitui County also paid special tribute to the late Tinina when he led the congregation in singing a verse from the hymn, It Is Well.

“Poleni sana to the family of Rita Tinina. That was a special dedication to the family of Rita. It shall be well. She has gone to rest but I want to assure you that the fullness of God’s timing, He shall make everything beautiful for each one of you.

To my colleagues in the media fraternity, I am a journalist of good and long-standing. I’ve worked with Rita at NMG and the media fraternity has suffered a blow. Poleni sana. I come here to offer my personal condolences, to my family and of the great people of Ukambanni and Dr Stephen Kalonzo. He’s said pole to the family and I know he is organizing a visit to the family,” said Senator Wambua.

The area Member of Parliament for Narok North, Honorable Pareiyo Mantaine Agnes said, “To the family of Yiapan who has gathered us here, Rita’s friends and all honourable members here, I would like to offer my condolences following the death of our child who has left us.

I know what you are going through. Rita was very important to us. Before I was a Parliamentarian, I dealt with work revolving around the girl child and Rita was a friend of Maasai girls. She used to visit us because she wanted to help girls.

I am here to offer my condolences, poleni sana. You have been left by a very good person, a diligent person and we are all mourning with you. Poleni tena sana. The Governor has also sent his greetings and condolences, and is together with you.”

Ms Ntimama, the Nominated Member of County Assembly from Narok County passed brief condolence messages from the Governor who is currently away in America and the Woman Representative who is also away in Switzerland, before she paid her tribute.

“I’d like to pass my condolences to the family of Yiapan. I schooled with Hellen and Irene. Rita was younger when we were together with her younger sisters. I came to know Rita through (a friend) and I never got to interact for long but her death really shook me.

This is because we are proud of her as a Maa girl who became a media star. Maybe God granted her to us as a loan which He can decide to withdraw at any time. To the Yiapans, poleni sana,” said Ms Nitmama.