Former KBC broadcaster and KTN news anchor Sammy Lui Wang’ondu has passed away.
The veteran journalist died on Thursday, October 23, morning, his son Chris Wang’ondu has confirmed.
By the time of publishing the exact cause of his death had not been established.
Sammy Lui once worked as the director of State functions. His voice powered through the reign of former and late President Daniel Moi, third President Mwai Kibaki and a bit of the retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
Lui was known to many as a presidential MC whose voice has reverberated across many stadiums and functions in the country graced by the president.
His voice was soothing, carried an unmatched command of English, and was instantly recognisable.
Former State House MC Sammy Lui Dead
As one of Kenya’s pioneer journalists, Sammy began his media career at KBC then known as the Voice of Kenya (VoK) before moving to KTN, and later joined the Office of the President as the Director of State Events.
Another fact few Kenyans were aware of, is that he is father to former Kenyan Big Brother housemate Nick Wang’ondu.
When government excavators descended on the affluent Woodley Estate in November last year to demolish houses belonging to 43 residents following the expiry of a three-month notice, among those affected was the former broadcaster.
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Lui had lived in the estate for over 50 years. He told journalists that the residents had not been included in proper public participation before the county government made this decision.
“We have nothing against the project, but we should be engaged. Even this space you see here would not have been preserved if we were not vigilant,” he said then.
“I am among the 43 tenants expected to vacate, yet I have never been part of any public participation process the county claims to have conducted. They approved the demolition of old houses marked as Lot One and Lot Two without consulting us.”
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Kenyans have taken to social media to mourn the death of the veteran broadcaster in glowing tributes, with many describing him as a fluent and eloquent speaker.
“I remember him as the lead journalist in the Presidential Press Service (PPS) under the late retired President Moi,” Raj Fadh wrote.
Kipyegoon Maritim added, “Really loved this guy — very fluent and eloquent. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
“Very fluent and articulate MC of the President,” Kibet Leonard said.
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