By Wendy Mangale
The Kenya Editors’ Guild has offered its condolences to Tanzania’s media fraternity following the death of six journalists in a road accident that occurred in the early morning of January 11, 2022. Eight other people perished in the accident in the Busega region near Lake Victoria.
Confirming the tragedy, Busega District Commissioner Gabriel Zacharia said: “It’s true that the accident has claimed the lives of 14 people. 11 of them on the spot.” The journalists were in a convoy on a tour with the Mwanza Regional Commissioner.
The journalists have been identified as Johari Shan of Uhuru Digital, Husna Mlanzi of ITV, Steven Msengi of Habari Ukerewe, Abel Ngapenda of Habari Mwanza, Anthony Chuwa a freelancer, and Vanny Charles of Icon TV Online.
“KEG condoles with the families, colleagues, friends, and the respective media houses. We pray for strength during these trying times,” said a statement from KEG President Churchill Otieno.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu went on Twitter to express her condolences to the bereaved families.
“I am shocked by the deaths of 14 people, including six journalists, who passed away this morning after a car they were traveling in collided with a PSV,” she wrote. “I send my condolences to the families, journalists, and friends who have lost their loved ones. May God rest the souls of the deceased in peace and may the wounded heal quickly.”
