Renowned journalist Rita Tinina was discovered dead in her residence by her house girl . According to authorities, Tinina, aged 46, was found lifeless in her home situated along Laikipia Road in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, on Sunday, March 17, in the morning.
Scheduled for duty at NTV where she served as an Output Producer, Tinina failed to report for work. Concerned about her absence, her workplace managers dispatched a colleague to her residence, where the distressing discovery was made.
The house girl informed police that she proceeded with her morning routine but noticed Tinina hadn’t woken up as expected. “She reported to a family friend that she is dead,” revealed a close associate.
Tinina was to wake up by 8 am and prepare for work as she was to produce the 1 pm bulletin. But she had not woken up by 9 am which prompted the househelp to knock at her bedroom with no response.
Fortunately, Tinina hadn’t secured the door from inside. Upon entering, the domestic worker attempted to rouse Tinina to no avail. Concurrently, Tinina’s eight-year-old daughter was in the living room watching television.
After confirming Tinina’s unresponsiveness, the domestic worker promptly contacted a family friend who had been with Tinina the previous Saturday night. The friend, also a journalist, corroborated Tinina’s condition and removed the daughter from the scene.
Informing Tinina’s sister of the tragic news, the friend had planned to pick up the daughter for a previously arranged playdate with Tinina. Subsequently, an ambulance was called, and medical personnel confirmed Tinina’s passing, prompting authorities to notify her workplace and awaiting colleagues.
Upon realizing Tinina’s absence at work, her colleagues became concerned, initiating a search by dispatching a colleague to her residence.
The colleague also confirmed she had died at an unknown time. The family said they suspected she suffered a seizure but police said they are investigating the incident.
The news of Tinina’s demise prompted an outpouring of grief from numerous journalists, who flocked to her residence upon learning of the tragedy. Unaware of the situation, Tinina’s neighbors were taken aback by the sudden influx of police and journalists.
Recounting her interactions with Tinina, a neighbor mentioned seeing her return home on Saturday night, sharing fruits with a friend in the compound before departing.
Pending an autopsy, Tinina’s remains were transferred to the mortuary, while colleagues and peers remembered her as a diligent, modest, and committed journalist.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai joined those mourning her demise.
