Editor's Review

According to a police report, the journalist had a troubled last couple of days before her shocking demise.

NTV journalist Rita Tinina was found dead on Sunday afternoon March 17 after failing to report to work and answering a phone call from her colleague.

According to a police report, the journalist had a troubled last couple of days before her shocking demise.

The report indicated that the deceased had a severe fever which lasted for five days. Besides the fever, she also had epilepsy.

"Before, death, the deceased was living with her 8-year-old daughter namely Mia Malaika and a house help called Nelius Mwihaki Macharia aged 36 years old in the same house. She was suffering from epilepsy and had five days old severe fever, her health history which was given by the said sister," the police report read in part.

File image of the late NTV journalist Rita Tinina. PHOTO | COURTESY

How She Was Discovered Dead

Robert Nangila, Rita Tinina's colleague at Nation Media Group was the first person to visit her house which is located along Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa. 

Nangila immediately called Tinina's sister Helen Silau Njaga informing her that the journalist was unconscious. 

"On arrival at the scene the sister called in the assistance of emergency medical services whereby the paramedics confirmed that the body was already lifeless," the police report confirmed.

The body of the 46-year-old was moved to the Umash morgue for preservation awaiting autopsy.

Her death has been described as shocking with media colleagues pouring their emotional tributes. State House Spokesperson consoled with her family indicating that Rita once bailed her out during their time at Citizen TV.

"Rita bailed me out once during my time at Citizen TV, helping me file a story when our equipment failed at an EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha during Kibaki’s presidency. It was my first interaction with her, as she was already a household name in the media, while I was a rookie at the time. Nonetheless, she displayed grace then, as she always has. My condolences to friends and family," Hussein wrote.