TRANSITION: NMG mourns Nation FM journalist
The Nation Media Group is mourning the death of one of its media lab graduates. Ian Kimani Mbuti, 27, passed on while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, on Labour Day.
Fondly referred to as ‘Dude’ by his workmates at the Nation FM and QFM radio departments, where he was in charge of business news, and ‘Kim’ by his parents, the deceased gladly opted to work for radio upon graduating from the Media Lab in March 2014.
He was taken ill on Saturday, April 23 and was admitted at Aga Khan Hospital’s High Dependency Unit (HDU) before being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), four days later.
He passed away on Sunday at around 3.30pm after his health deteriorated even as doctors fought to save his life.
While at the HDU, Ian remained cheerful as he explained to his friends, relatives and workmates, how he was looking forward to being discharged and resuming his duties.
His parents Duncan Mbuti and Violet Lydia Mbugua, recounted how doctors broke the sad news of their son’s death following a bacterial infection, which resulted in multiple organ failure.
LAST MOMENTS
His mother described the deceased as a brilliant and reliable person whom she could summon anytime, since they were very close.
“He used to use one of our cars for his and family errands. Kim was a child loved by everybody. He could not pick a quarrel with anyone. He was ready to help and he didn’t like things getting wrong,” the mother said.
His colleagues also recalled their last moments with him.
“He was very cheerful. One could not tell he was going to leave us. We cracked jokes as he explained how he suddenly fell ill,” said Ms Hemigilder Mugeni, his fellow news presenter.
“We stood by his bed as he heartily told us how doctors revealed to him that his pancreas was failing. In spite of this, he remained optimistic that all would be well,” Nation FM radio news editor, Mr Dennis Odunga recalled.
Preparations for his burial are underway with the family indicating that he is likely to be buried at their home in Ituru Village, Gatundu North in Kiambu.
