KTN correspondent and veteran cameraman Japeth Makau has passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Machakos, his family has confirmed.
Makau, who joined KTN in 2009, served as a full-time cameraman until his death, building a distinguished career that spanned more than a decade in broadcast journalism. He was widely respected for his professionalism, storytelling skills and dedication to impactful reporting.
An award-winning journalist, Makau was particularly recognised for his coverage of stories that helped transform Kenya’s agriculture sector.
His work highlighted the shift from chemical to organic farming and showcased innovative agribusiness ventures, especially those led by young people who turned agriculture into sustainable livelihoods.
In 2018, Makau’s excellence behind the camera was formally acknowledged when he won the Cameraman of the Year award at the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) Kenya Media Awards.
Throughout his career, he produced and contributed to numerous influential stories that inspired a new generation of farmers and entrepreneurs. Beyond fieldwork, Makau also wrote articles on a wide range of topics, including business, politics and governance.
Some of his published work included stories on Octagon Africa and AlexForbes’ partnership to expand retirement savings for MSMEs, Kenya’s securing of global support for the expanded Haiti security mission, and political developments such as responses to TIFA polls within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Makau possessed a diverse professional skill set that went beyond camera operation. His expertise included journalism, studio and field camera work, editing, social media management, media relations, public relations, press releases and event planning, making him a versatile and valuable member of the newsroom.
He trained at the Kenya Institute of Professional Studies, where he earned a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies between 2007 and 2010.
Tributes have begun to pour in from colleagues and friends in the media fraternity, who remember Japeth Makau as a dedicated professional whose work left a lasting impact on Kenyan journalism.
