Kenya is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated journalist, Rasna Warah, whose passing was announced on X (formerly Twitter) by Alamin Kimathi.
Kimathi shared the sad news, saying:
“Very sad news of the passing on of @RasnaWarah. ‘Hello all. Rasna Warah passed away a couple of hours ago. More details to follow,’ Zahid Rajan has posted on our WhatsApp group. My deepest condolences to her husband Grey Phombeah and the family.”
Rasna Warah was a distinguished journalist, writer, and editor who had a remarkable career spanning decades.
She was known for her fearless commentary on societal issues, governance, and human rights. Her work resonated deeply with Kenyans and international audiences, earning her a place among the country’s most respected voices in media.
Over the years, Warah contributed to numerous publications, authoring books and thought-provoking articles that challenged the status quo and shed light on critical issues. Her commitment to truth and accountability made her a revered figure in journalism.
Rasna Warah profile
Rasna Warah is a Kenyan writer and journalist. She writes a weekly column for the Daily Nation, Kenya’s largest newspaper, and is the author of five books: Unsilenced (2016); War Crimes (2014); Mogadishu Then and Now(2012); Red Soil and Roasted Maize (2011); and Triple Heritage (1998).
She has also edited an anthology called Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits (2008) that critiques the aid industry in East Africa. Ms. Warah has worked for the United Nations as an editor and writer for more than ten years and has been writing about urban and social issues for more than two decades.
Her photo essays on Nairobi, Mumbai, Kabul, Havana and Mogadishu have been published in, among other publications, the East African, UN Chronicle, People and the Planet, Cityscapes and UN-Habitat’s State of the World’s Cities report series.
Mourning Rasna Warah
The announcement of her death has sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes from colleagues, readers, and public figures who admired her work and character.
Her husband, Grey Phombeah, and the family are yet to release further details regarding her passing and funeral arrangements.
Rasna Warah’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through her impactful writing and the lives she touched with her unwavering dedication to truth and justice.
Kenya has lost not just a journalist but a champion for equity and integrity.
May her soul rest in peace.
