The death of a long-serving Nation Media Group correspondent has left the journalism fraternity and residents of Kitui mourning, following reports that he was bitten by a venomous snake while asleep at his home.
Kitavi Mutua died on Friday night, October 30, while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital. He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his condition reportedly deteriorated.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the journalist was bitten at his residence in Kitui South, Kitui County. He is said to have spent about a week seeking medical attention after the incident as the effects of the venom worsened.
Reports indicate that the venom eventually affected his internal organs, leading to his admission to the hospital’s critical care unit. The precise circumstances surrounding the incident and the treatment he received were not detailed in the available reports.
Mutua’s death has prompted tributes from leaders and colleagues who remember him not only for his reporting but also for the relationships he built through his work.
Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu was among those who paid tribute to him on Saturday, October 31. She recalled that the journalist played an important role in guiding her when she entered politics approximately ten years ago.
Kasalu said Mutua helped her understand how the media and political leadership interact, offering guidance on communication and public engagement during her early days in politics.
“Beyond being a journalist, Kitavi was a mentor, a friend, and a professional who believed in helping others. I will forever be grateful for the role he played in shaping my understanding of communication and political engagement,” she said.
She added that his death was a loss extending beyond his family and friends, describing it as a blow to the journalism fraternity and the people of Kitui.
Mutua served for many years as a Daily Nation correspondent based in Kitui. His assignments covered political developments, community concerns and other issues affecting residents of the county and the wider Ukambani region.
Through his reporting, stories from the region reached audiences across the country, giving national attention to local developments that might otherwise have received limited coverage.
His passing marks the loss of a journalist whose work was closely connected to the communities he served.