Ten Deaths That Shook Kenya in 2024

The year 2024 was marked by profound losses in Kenya, as the nation mourned the deaths of individuals who had left an indelible mark on society. From influential leaders and promising young talents to beloved media personalities and tragic events that claimed innocent lives, the deaths carried a unique story of legacy, inspiration, and lessons for the future.

This article takes a closer look at the deaths that shook Kenya, exploring the circumstances of their passing, their accomplishments, and the void they left behind.

Deaths that shocked Kenyans in 2024

Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla (April)

General Francis Omondi Ogolla was the Chief of the Defence Forces of Kenya when he met his untimely death.

Having served with distinction in the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) for many years, he was widely respected for his strategic leadership, both in national and regional peacekeeping missions.

Ogolla succumbed to a fatal Kenya Air Force helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County, passing away at the age of 61 in April 2024.

President William Ruto confirmed the death while expressing his remorse to the families of the CDF and other officers who passed alongside him an air crash.

“Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

“Together with him in the crash were 11 others military personnel, nine who also passed on with him and two survivors,” announced Ruto. 

Ogolla who is survived by a wife and two children took command of the military in early May 2023 when former General Robert Kibochi retired after 44 years of military service.

Kelvin Kiptum (February)

Kelvin Kiptum was a rising star in the long-distance running world. At the time of his passing, he had become one of the most promising athletes to emerge from Kenya’s long-distance running culture and was the holder of the Marathon world record, a fete that is yet to be broken.

His early achievements, including winning international half-marathons and marathons, marked him as an athlete to watch.

Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana tragically passed away in a road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road shortly after attending training.

The World Athletics had ratified Kiptum’s marathon record of 2:00:35 set in Chicago in 2023 days before his demise.

He became the first athlete to break 2:01 in a record-eligible marathon, taking 34 seconds off the world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on 8 October.

The 24-year-old’s sudden death shocked the entire World sports’ community.

His dedication and fierce competitive spirit inspired young athletes, particularly those from Kenya, and his potential was considered limitless.

Bishop Allan Kiuna (July)

Jubilee Christian Church (JCC) Bishop and head preacher Allan Kiuna died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

A family spokesman while speaking to the press said that Kiuna had been rushed at the facility for medical attention after his condition deteriorated. 

The pastor had been battling cancer for a long time and had been out of the country for the better part of 2023, seeking treatment in the United States. 

Kiuna’s wife Bishop Kathy Kiuna back in 2019 disclosed that the JCC founder had been diagnosed with the deadly illness but revealed that he beat it and went into remission.

However, Kathy later revealed that Bishop Kiuna’s cancer recurred, forcing the preacher to seek treatment once again.

The Endarasha Fire Tragedy: 24 Pupils (September)

In September 2024, a horrific fire consumed a dormitory housing young boys at Hillside School Endarasha in Kieni, killing 24 pupils, most of them aged between 12 and 15 years.

The fire, whose cause is yet to be established, spread quickly due to poor building materials and lack of proper safety measures in place.

The tragedy highlighted the need for better infrastructure and safety standards in Kenyan schools, leading to nationwide calls for reforms in the education sector.

Former Wells Fargo HR Manager Willis Ayieko (October)

The body of Willis Ayieko, who at the time of his death had been working as a Human Resource (HR) Manager at Wells Fargo, was identified after it was found handcuffed and abandoned near a stream in Nyamninia sub-location within Gem, Siaya County.

Ayieko, who went missing on Friday, October 18, was found dead five days after his family said his whereabouts were unknown.

His colleagues and family said he went missing after attending a burial in North Gem location before setting out for his home in Kakamega.

After police launched investigations, Ayieko’s vehicle, an orange double-cabin Ford pick-up truck, was found abandoned in Sabatia, Vihiga County near a petrol station. He was however missing.

Also Read: Willis Ayieko Murder Probe: Another Suspect Arrested

Speaking to the press, Gem Yala Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula confirmed that the body of the Wells Fargo employee was found near a stream.

An autopsy on Willis Ayieko’s body revealed the Wells Fargo HR manager died due to injuries on his head caused by blunt force trauma.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since arrested six suspects in connection to the murder, with two already dead.

Rita Tinina (March)

Rita Tinina was an influential media personality who until her demise worked at NTV.

Family spokesperson Timothy Njaga while speaking to the press on March 19, 2024, said that an autopsy conducted on the late Tinina’s body revealed the journalist died of severe pneumonia.

Njaga said that the report was provided after a postmortem was done by government pathologist Peter Ndegwa in collaboration with the family pathologist Dr. Michaka.

Furthermore, the family spokesperson who was speaking at Umash Funeral Home said they are satisfied with the results and asked for a moment of privacy as they continued to mourn the deceased.

The veteran journalist was found dead in her house located within Kileleshwa estate, Nairobi on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

At the time, reports indicated that an alarm over her wellbeing was raised after she failed to report to work where she was scheduled to produce a news bulletin on NTV at 1PM.

Jahmby Koikai “Fya Mumma” (June)

Jahmby Koikai, popularly known by her stage name Faya Mumma, was a celebrated Kenyan singer, activist, and media personality.

She was known for her fiery spirit, activism on women’s health issues, and being an advocate for mental health awareness.

Jahmby passed away at the age of 37 in June 2024 after a chronic lung condition that resulted from endometriosis which she had battled for long.

She had been battling the illness for years and had undergone multiple surgeries.

Koikai’s contribution to music, activism, and mental health advocacy inspired countless people. She was also a vocal critic of the health sector’s shortcomings and advocated for better services for individuals with chronic conditions.

Tabitha Gatwiri (October)

Tabitha Gatwiri was a popular content creator known for her comedic skits and engaging social media presence.

Her videos often tackled societal issues with humor and satire, earning her a massive following among Kenyan youth.

Also Read: Autopsy Reveals Content Creator Tabitha Gatwiri’s Cause of Death

Gatwiri was found dead in her house on October 31. News of her demise was shared by her fellow content creators who struggled to come to terms with her sudden departure.

Initial reports indicated that the 28-year-old died after a short illness before her body was taken to the Kenyatta University (KU) morgue where an autopsy was conducted.

Gatwiri’s family on Saturday, November 2, 2024, released an update of the autopsy report after pathologists conducted a postmortem examination on the body.

The autopsy ascertained that her cause of death was positional asphyxia with brain oedema.

“Pathologists conducted the postmortem at Kenyatta University Funeral Home in the presence of her family. The late Gatwiri passed on from positional asphyxia with brain oedema. A full toxicology will be done to rule out possible poisoning and/or intoxication’. Burial plans are underway,” the statement by her family read in part.

The deceased received the prestigious YouTube Silver Play Button award in 2021 having reached 100,000 subscribers on her channel.

By the time of her demise, the channel had 178,000 subscribers.

Gatwiri’s creativity and humor had earned her recognition as a rising star in the Kenyan entertainment space.

Mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui (May)

Kenyan mountaineer and banker Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui met his untimely death while pursuing his dream of climbing Mt Everest without supplemental oxygen.

Kirui was confirmed dead on May 23, 2024, after he was earlier reported missing while scaling the heights of Mt Everest which summits at 8,849 meters.

Cheruiyot was found dead with organizers saying that his body was discovered a few meters below the Everest summit point.

Officials from Nepal’s Seven Summit Treks (SST) mountaineering company reportedly lost contact with Kirui and his guide at Bishop Rock, located at an altitude of 8,000 meters.

Everest today, a publication that updates news about Mt. Everest hiking, confirmed the passing on of the mountaineer in a statement mourning him as a dream chaser.

According to Everest Today, Kirui who was a banker working with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) went missing with his Sherpa guide.

Everest which is located across the China-Nepal border and is Earth’s highest mountain has an elevation of 8,848.86 meters above sea level.

JKUAT Student Rita Waeni (January)

Rita Waeni was a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Also Read: Eastleigh Murder: Fresh Details Emerge as Suspect Explains Why He Killed Three Women

The slain university student found dead inside an Airbnb in Roysambu.

The controversial murder took a new twist after her family positively identified a severed head found at Kiambaa in Kiambu County, as that of their kin.

Speaking at the City Mortuary in Nairobi on January 25, 2024, Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor revealed that Waeni’s family identified the head evidenced by the teeth formation, hair, and forehead.

Following the positive identification, an investigation team launched an exercise to establish whether Waeni suffered any head injuries as per reports.

Pathologist Oduor said an autopsy done on her head showed signs of strangulation which was determined as her cause of death.

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