Leaders across the country on Friday, December 30, paid tributes to veteran news anchor Catherine Kasavuli who died on Thursday night while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.
Kasavuli, who lost the battle to cervical cancer, has been mourned as a journalist who broke the glass ceiling in her field.
Ruto said Kasavuli’s pleasant smile, clear steady voice, and elegance made her a welcome presence and reassuring bearer of news to Kenyan living rooms for decades.
“Countless Kenyans watched her with great admiration and many children grew to emulate her. Today, Kasavuli's legacy endures, most notably in a distinctive crisp, fluent and articulate elocution we are all accustomed to in broadcast anchoring,” Ruto said.
He added: Let us therefore celebrate the life of a talented pioneer who famously excelled in her profession, entrancing the nation with her talent and extraordinary poise.
First Lady Rachael Ruto described Kasavuli as a woman of great distinction and accomplishment who demonstrated a strong work ethic, poise, and professionalism throughout her career.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta described Kasavuli, as a committed journalist who played a key role in the growth of the country’s media industry.
“Catherine Kasavuli became a household name because of her immense achievement as a broadcaster. Indeed she was a great role model and mentor to many women journalists in the country,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru said Kasavuli’s commitment and diligence in her work at the then Voice of Kenya (VOK) where she started her career, made her stand out as a talented newscaster.
“As an individual I will forever cherish her noble contribution in making the media industry one of the most dynamic and transformative sector of our economy,” he added.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga described Kasavuli as a trailblazer who illuminated screens with her captivating presence.
Kasavuli had been admitted at the facility since October 26. A colleague at KBC had then informed Kenyans of her situation.
She had recently returned on TV after KBC hired her among veterans to revamp the media house.
Kasavuli had taken a four-month break and returned to her Instagram in October.
In November, colleagues and friends in the media industry mobilised people to donate blood for urgent transfusion after she was admitted at KNH.
Kasavuli's employer KBC appealed for blood donation as she is admitted to Kenyatta hospital's Private wing.
Cervical cancer affects the neck of the womb and it is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix.
Following the news of her death, colleagues in media sent condolence messages and praised her as a veteran journalist who has left a gaping hole in the industry.
Ms Kasavuli, in her personal capacity, has in the past helped many people seeking medical treatment. She would use her social media platforms to mobilise Kenyans to raise funds for patients who are seeking urgent treatment. The most recent case was of a baby who was born with a congenital abnormality.
Since the 1980s, Ms Kasavuli, often known as the TV queen, has played a significant role in Kenyan media.
Before retiring in 2015, she was one of the first anchors to host a live television program for a privately held TV station in the 1990s.
Ms Kasavuli returned to KBC in 2020, where she now hosts the Legend Edition show every weekend.
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