Sunday, September 27, 2026, will remain etched in the memory of Grace Mawia, the widow of former Nation reporter Kitavi Mutua.
"He was bitten by a snake on the left hand. He was given first aid and taken to Kitui General Hospital after his sugar levels went up, affecting the hand. He spent two days at the hospital before being transferred to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital," Grace recounted.
That snake bite would later claim the life of the celebrated Kitui-based scribe. After battling for his life for about two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, Kitavi lost the fight on Saturday morning.
Speaking on telephone interview, his tearful wife's voice broke as she described the late husband as loving and caring man.
“I don’t know what to say. He was the best husband. He was very gentle," she said.
She added he was someone who wouldn't get angry and was the most hardworking person she knew.
"Even if he’s going through the most difficult things, he was always a good husband."
The wife paused as she spoke struggling to get words through adding, “I can’t believe that my husband is gone. He was a loving person, kind-hearted and always smiling,” she said while struggled to hold back her tears during the interview.
She said she will miss him so much saying that the last words he told her before being taken to ICU were "thank you for supporting me".
The death of the print journalist has thrown the media fraternity into mourning, not only in the Ukambani region where he was based, but across the country.
While his burial arrangements are yet to be announced, political leaders led by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, former Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Kinengo and Kitui Woman Representative Dr Irene Kasalu mourned Kitavi as a towering media icon whose contribution to public interest journalism has left a permanent mark.
"It is shocking. I have been in touch with his family since he was attacked by a snake about a month ago. His family informed me early this morning about his passing. He was such a great guy. He was a good writer. His death is a big blow to journalism in the region and beyond," Dr Mutua said.
Kitui Woman Representative Dr Kasalu described Kitavi as a friend, generous mentor and professional who was always ready to help others.
"Besides being a journalist, Kitavi was a friend who believed in helping others. His death is not only a tragic loss to his family but also to the media fraternity in the region," she said in a post on her social media account.
Former Makueni Governor Prof Kibwana said it was heartbreaking to lose a young man whose gift with words touched many.
To him, Kitavi Mutua was not just a friend. He was a prolific writer whose contributions graced the Daily Nation and several other platforms. His pen had so much more to give, and his journey was cut painfully short.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the entire media fraternity during this difficult time. May you find strength and comfort," Prof Kibwana said.
Former Governor Ngilu said Kitui had lost a great son of the soil, an impeccable scribe and an outstanding role model to the current generation.
"We pray that the Lord grants his family comfort, understanding and strength to bear the loss during this difficult time," Ngilu said.
His colleagues in the practice including Standard Group's Philip Muasya, former Daily Nation senior reporter Ibrahim Oruko and The Star's Cyrus Ombati took to social media to mourn him, describing him as a good person, seasoned and disciplined reporter whose contribution to journalism will stand the test of time.
"Kitavi's departure leaves a void that words can hardly describe. The media space will miss him. Colleagues will miss his presence and the stories he told will remain part of the legacy he has left behind," Muasya said in his social media post.
He leaves behind his wife Grace Mawia and two children, Farida and Eliane.
Snakebite envenoming is a major health crisis in Kenya.
As the world marked International Snakebite Awareness Day 2026, Kenya’s Ministry of Health released grim statistics, noting that every year, more than 19,000 Kenyans are bitten by snakes, of whom over 1,000 lose their lives and hundreds more are left with permanent physical disabilities.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards in the Ministry of Health Mary Muthoni noted that the burden is particularly heavy in rural and pastoral communities.
While she said that children are among those most exposed, the adults too are not usually safe.
Kenya has recognised snakebite envenoming as a priority Neglected Tropical Disease and incorporated it into the Kenya National Neglected Tropical Diseases Masterplan 2023–2027.
PS Muthoni added that Kenya has strengthened surveillance by integrating mandatory snakebite case reporting into the Kenya Health Information System at all health facility levels, while community-level surveillance has been activated through the Electronic Community Health Information System.
She revealed that at community level more than 5,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have been trained across snakebite-endemic counties to identify households at risk, deliver prevention messages, administer correct first aid, report cases and facilitate timely referral to health facilities.
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