President, DP Ruto Mourn Veteran Journalist Hilary Ng’weno – LitKenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have sent messages of condolence to the family, friends, and relatives of veteran journalist Hilary Boniface Ng’weno.

Ng’weno, 83, passed away on Wednesday, 7th July, at his Nairobi home after a long illness.

In his message, President Kenyatta said Ng’weno was a devoted patriot who despite having many opportunities to work abroad, used his journalistic skills to enlighten Kenyans on the country’s political, social, and economic issues.

The Head of State described Ng’weno as a distinguished Kenyan whose contribution to the growth of the country’s media industry shall be remembered for generations to come.

“Hilary Ng’weno is a Kenyan household name because of his immense journalistic achievements as an editor, publisher, broadcaster, and documentary filmmaker,” the President said, adding that Ng’weno had left behind a rich collection of journalistic works.

“His documentary videos on Kenyan history have been a source of information on how our country has grown both politically, socially, and economically over the decades. Indeed, his creative works have continued to inspire generations of Kenyans to work hard and achieve the best for our wonderful nation,” the President said.

For his part, Deputy President William Ruto mourned Ng’weno as the father of Kenyan journalism, whose career began as a brilliant scribe, but he firmly established himself as a towering journalist and a historian of tremendous power.

Ruto said Ng’weno pioneered robust, independent profound, and rich journalism that deepened nascent post-independence democracy and cast a brilliant spotlight on government and governance.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga said that for decades, Ng’weno set an unequalled standard for responsible journalism.

“Hilary’s work played a leading role in promoting press freedom in Kenya and thus helping to expand the country’s democratic space. His example and mentorship paved the way for dozens of journalists who have followed in his footsteps to bring us the news we so value today,” said Raila.

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