Rita Tinina: Life and Times of a Celebrated Journalist

Veteran NTV journalist Rita Tinina was found dead in her house in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, on Sunday, March 17. This plunged the country, and especially the journalistic profession into mourning with many of her colleagues in the media fraternity pouring glowing tributes. They all eulogized her as a trailblazer in the media space whom they say will be dearly missed.

Tinina was praised for her role as a mentor to younger journalists in the field, with many acknowledging her guidance as a key factor in their success. 

Her family eulogized Tinina as a soft-spoken person who listened patiently to everyone.

But who was Rita Tinina beyond our TV screens? 

Ntanina Yiapan, popularly known as Rita Tinina was a highly respected Kenyan journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over a decade. Her professionalism and unique voice set her apart, making her a household name on television and winning her the adoration of many Kenyans. The pronouncement of her death sent shockwaves throughout the country leading to a flood of sorrow expressed by countless journalists and political leaders alike across various social media platforms.

Rita was born on 28th of March 1978 in Nakuru County to the late Dominic and the late Mary Yiapan as the last born in a family of seven. 

Education.

Rita attended St. Mary's Primary School and completed her secondary education at Maasai Girls School. She later joined the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and later furthered her studies at the University of Nairobi. 

She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies.

Career.

She began her journalism career in 1999 at Citizen TV and later moved to NTV. Rita established her reputation as an anchor while working at the Nation Media Group. In 2021, she transitioned to the Standard Group where she continued her role as a news anchor in English at KTN and also served as a senior reporter.

She re-joined NTV in 2023 as a senior reporter and editor.

Over the course of her career, she has covered big stories among them being the coverage of President William Ruto's case in the Hague when he was still deputy president.  

As of the time of her death she was the Output Producer, Broadcast Platforms at the National Media Group (NMG). 

Family. 

She was born to the late Dominic Yiapan and the late Mary Yiapan. She was the last born in a family of seven. 

Rita died just a few days shy of her 46th birthday leaving behind an eight-year-old daughter, Mia Malaika whom she had with her longtime partner, Robert Nagila. She was from the Maasai ethnic community. 

Death.   

The unexpected death of Rita Tinina shocked many, especially her NTV colleagues who were taken aback when she didn't show up for her scheduled shift. It was later revealed that Rita had a peaceful dinner and went to bed the night before but didn't wake up the next day. An autopsy determined that severe pneumonia caused her death. Rita, who lived with her daughter and a 36-year-old house help, was epileptic and had been dealing with a fever for the past five days. 

According to the police report, she was found unresponsive on her bed in her Brooklyn apartment in Kileleshwa by the house help who went to wake her up for breakfast.

Family, friends and colleagues of Tinina on Monday 25th, gathered at the Holy Family Basilica for her requiem mass to eulogize and remember the journalist. 

"The media fraternity has indeed lost a gentle giant, she will be missed around the world," read the eulogy in part. 

Her legacy will forever live in the hearts and minds of those who had the privilege of knowing her. Rita's enduring determination and love for storytelling will serve as a source of inspiration for others as we pay tribute to and recall her valuable contributions to the journalistic profession. 

She will be buried on Wednesday, March 27 at their family home in Olokirikirai, Narok County. 

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