Possible cause of NTV journalist Rita Tinina’s death revealed by family

Regarding the circumstances surrounding NTV journalist Rita Tinina’s death, new information has surfaced.

She had epilepsy, according to a report that was turned in to the Kileleshwa Police Station on Sunday, not long after she was discovered unconscious at home.

According to the report, which included the deceased’s sister, Tinina had a high fever for five days prior to her death.

The report also revealed that Tinina’s sister Helen Silau Njaga filed the initial report at around 10:45 a.m. after her body was discovered unconscious.

She said that the 46-year-old journalist was discovered unconscious on her bed in her bedroom at her Kileleshwa residence.

When Silau got home, she discovered Tinina was unconscious and immediately dialed for help. When the paramedics arrived, the body was already dead, they confirmed.

At the time of her death, she was living with her daughter, who was eight years old.

Police began their investigation into the incident and moved the deceased’s body to Umash Funeral Home.

“On behalf of Yiapan’s family, this has come as a shock to us. We are really trying to digest and at the moment we just request for the privacy to be accorded to the family. More information will come letter,” Silau told the press.

The news of the journalist’s death sent the entire media industry countrywide into mourning with a majority of scribes hailing her as a trailblazing figure.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed recalled an instance in which Tinina helped file a report when his equipment failed during a high-stakes coverage.

“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,” he recalled.

“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.”

ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, on the other hand, noted that Tinina’s contributions to the profession were immense.

“During this time of mourning, may the loved ones of Tinina find comfort in the knowledge that she made a significant and meaningful contribution to the field of journalism,” he stated.

Tinina worked at the Nation Media Group (NMG) before joining KTN News in 2012 where she worked as a senior reporter before returning to NTV in October 2023.