Veteran Swahili author, journalist and literary scholar Prof Ken Walibora is dead.
Reports by Nation media group have intimated that the renowned Swahili journalist was hit by a matatu on Landhies road in Nairobi on Friday.
BREAKING NEWS: Renowned author, Ken Walibora is dead. He was hit by a matatu along Ladhies road on Friday. pic.twitter.com/V8mYDhxqsn
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 15, 2020
Dr Walibora was a Swahili news anchor at Nation Media’s NTV and also lectured at the Riara University.
He is popularly known for his critically acclaimed Swahili novel Siku Njema and has about 40 titles to his name. Arguably the most famous of these are Ndoto ya Amerika and Siku Njema, which was a secondary school set book between 1997 and 2003. One of his other books, Kidagaa Kimemwozea has also been a set book since 2013.
Kenyans have swarmed on to social media to send out their condolences messages an share what they will miss most about him.
Siku njema huonekana asubuhi lakini leo kageuka kua giza totoro.
Kweli kidagaa kimemwozea Ken Walibora. Kiswahili will never be the same again. Reast In Peace pic.twitter.com/KU7NEsbCLC
— Naphtali Githinji🇰🇪 (@_Naphtali_) April 15, 2020
Such a sad day for Swahili literature (fasihi) May his soul rest in peace and to his family it shall be well..#RipKenWalibora
— Wanjiku_Mugane (@wanjikumugane) April 15, 2020
BREAKING: Renowned author and scholar Ken Walibora is dead. Prof. Walibora has been missing since Friday, body found at KNH mortuary; said to have been hit by a matatu along Ladhies road on Friday.
— Ken Githinji (@DallisPaxton) April 15, 2020
Kidagaa Kimemwozea was honestly the best book Ken Walibora wrote ❤may he Rest In Peace
— Nyaitúga (@fionamorah) April 15, 2020
Back then when KBC used to air KPL matches, Ken Walibora had the best football commentary, his combination with Jack Oyoo was unmatched, he had the best way to make fun of those who missed scoring chances, he was so good in radio. We have lost a gem. May he rest well ❤️❤️.
— aleckie ronald (@SirAlexas) April 15, 2020
Rest in peace Ken Walibora Waliaula. You left a giant footprint on earth. We can only admire you. Condolences to the family.
— Barnabas (@BKiplimo) April 15, 2020
"Ken Walibora"
Kwa kweli maisha ni mshumaa…
Buriani Walibora.— The Field Marshal (@kenmurima) April 15, 2020
RIP Ken Walibora such a tragic loss condolences to family and friends ,safiri salama prof
— Peter Nyakiamo . (@Ochuti) April 15, 2020
Sad to hear of the passing of Ken Walibora. Most 8-4-4 survivors read his books for fasihi. Pole sana to his family and friends. Huge loss for Kenya.
— Castro @ocs junior (@Castroocsjunio1) April 15, 2020