Nation editor dies after short illness

Mr Isaiah Oduor Ouma, a senior sub-editor at the Daily Nation has died.

Mr Ouma died yesterday morning at Nairobi Hospital, where he was admitted three weeks ago. News of his death was received with shock by his family, colleagues and friends.

“This is very sad and shocking, coming at a time we were looking forward to his discharge from hospital. He had shown signs of improvement,” Mr Peter Ngare, the editorial manager at NMG, said.

Family members said Mr Ouma’s condition was improving and he had even been transferred from the Intensive Care Unit.

However, he developed complications on Saturday morning and was returned to the ICU. His condition deteriorated and he died as doctors attended to him.

“He had embarked on the path to full recovery and had shown great signs of improvement which gave us hope as a family. It is unfortunate that we lost him,” his elder brother, Eric Odhiambo, said.

Mr Odhiambo described his sibling as a lively and welcoming person who respected his elders.

Mrs Matilda Ouma said her son was a humble child who took his education seriously.

“His teachers in primary school saw his dedication in class and made him the librarian,” she said, adding that her son was also religious.

Mr Ouma, who joined the NMG in 2004, is survived by his widow Catherine Indimuli and children.

He hails from Nyarago Village in Awendo. He attended Mariwa Primary School and Homa Bay Secondary School before joining the University of Nairobi, from where he graduated with a degree in economics. He completed his master’s degree in communication at the same university in 2013.

He was the author of a book titled Jot It Down, published by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation in 2009.