Respected Newsman Mutegi Njau Dies

By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER

Newsman and editor Mutegi Njau is dead. Njau’s family confirmed he died peacefully at his home to which he had retired after decades of practicing journalism. Njau suffered a stroke two weeks ago and had been in intensive care, his son Ronald Njau said. He also said the family was experiencing challenges managing the hospital expenses and appealed for assistance to help to offset them

Njau joined the Nation Media Group in 1979 and rose to News Editor before leaving and later joining Royal Media Services in 2005. It was at RMS where he become well-known as he hosted a popular often no-holds-barred morning talk show with former Standard editor David Makali.

Njau was mourned by his niece Shaniz Kendi who said her “heart is heavy, bleeding and broken into a million pieces. I even don’t know the right words to say this ; you played a dad role in my life after my dad passed on and you gave me the best dad and daughter moment that I will never forget.”

Philip Etale, the ODM Communication Director, said Njau “taught me the art of writing a good story. He taught me how to narrate events as captured in the field.” He termed him a good team leader, “a brilliant chap and an editor who made sure only the good stuff was carried on news.”

Njau earned a reputation as humorous journalist and no nonsense editor who had no room for fear and pursed excellence in his career. He was also outgoing and patient, nurturing young journalists to achieve their career dreams

Citizen Tv’s Linus Kaikai said he was “an inspirational figure, a fierce newsroom lion and consummate lifetime journalist.”

Lawyer and blogger Wahome Thuku said Njau “had no time for beating around the bush. If he told you that our story was BS, it really was BS. And if you felt bad all you could do was rework the story and he would be happy.”

The family will be receiving contributions (MPesa) on the following cell phone number;

+254 721 467 192