Catherine Kasavuli's 6 Lessons To Kenyans Before She Died

An appeal was sent out to Kenyans across the divide for blood donations after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Dec 30, 2022 - 10:35 Updated: Jun 11, 2023 - 18:58
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Catherine Kasavuli's 6 Lessons To Kenyans Before She Died
The late veteran KBC news anchor, Catherine Kasavuli. /FILE

Even before Kenyans woke up to the news of her untimely death on Friday, December 30, the late veteran Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) anchor, Catherine Kasavuli left an indelible mark on the country's vibrant media industry.

The shocking turn of events began on Monday, November 7 when Kasavuli was admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

An appeal was sent out to Kenyans across the divide for blood donations after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Since then, the media guru had been regularly updating her fans regarding the progress of her treatment, as well as the following lessons she had learnt as she battled her illness:

Your family is all you got at the end of the day, make peace with them, and try to be in good books with them. Even if you feel otherwise.

Kasavuli's key lesson was for Kenyans to never forget the family that stood by them through thick and thin. She encouraged them to maintain their good standing with their loved ones and make an effort to reconcile with those who had a falling out, even if their gut felt otherwise.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakumicha pays a visit to the late Catherine Kasavuli in hospital on December 23, 2022. /FILE

Always depend on your Higher Power, and pray for as much as you can, at least while you have the strength.

Kasavuli always stressed on the power of prayer, as it is said to be moving mountains.

She expressed her gratitude to those who had prayed for her quick recovery and contributed to her medical bills, saying "to everyone that’s visited me, prayed with me, and contributed towards my medical bill, I want to say thank you so much, and may God meet with the desires of your heart. To all my online community that’s always sending messages of hope and love – I love you all."

If you have at least two friends or colleagues you can always count on, appreciate them. They’re very rare.

Throughout her health struggles, Kasavuli received support from various government officials, including the CS for Youth Affairs, Sports, and Arts, Ababu Namwamba, who paid a visit to Kasavuli at Kenyatta Hospital and offered a glowing tribute to the legendary former news anchor.

In addition to the importance of family and prayer, Kasavuli also shared the rarity of true friends and colleagues that one can always count on.

Don’t lose hope, keep on believing, and hope courageously.

Let's face it, the past two years have been cruel to us and have seen many of us lose hope. But maintaining a sense of belief and hope is crucial in overcoming our challenges, and as they say "It's just a passing cloud."

One way to keep hope alive is to focus on the things that bring us joy and bring positivity in our lives. Surrounding ourselves with supportive and uplifting people can also help to boost our hope and belief in ourselves.

Kasavuli in her numerous health updates had expressed hope in beating her ailment, until the very end.

Love your body, treasure it.

Your body is the most important organ you have and loving it is a sense of self-care, in a world where we are judged by our physical looks more harshly than before. Our bodies are complex and amazing systems which allow us to live life to the fullest (as they say, to the max).

One way to love and treasure your body is by taking care of it through good self-care practices, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and staying hydrated. Exercise is also important for maintaining a healthy body, and can help to boost our energy levels and overall sense of well-being.

Finally, always do good, it will always come back to you, eventually.

Doing good can come in many forms, from acts of kindness towards others to working towards making a positive impact in the world. While it may not always be easy to do good, the rewards of this practice can be immeasurable.

One key benefit of doing good is the sense of fulfilment and purpose it can bring. When you help others or make a positive contribution to the world, it can give a sense of meaning and satisfaction that can be hard to find elsewhere.

Tributes To Kasavuli

President William Ruto has since joined many top Kenyan leaders in mourning the demise of the late news anchor, who had only returned to KBC in 2021.

Read Ruto's tribute below:

It is with great sorrow that I join Kenyans in mourning the passing of Catherine Kasavuli who died Thursday night at 60, after a long brave fight with cancer. Catherine was a cheerful, articulate and intelligent news anchor who took to television with unprecedented flair. 

Her 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 the distinctive crisp, fluent and articulate elocution we are all accustomed to in Kenyan broadcast anchoring. 

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.

Veteran anchor Catherine Kasavuli at KBC studios. /FILE

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Tribute:

Having worked across major media houses in Kenya, she made a remarkable contribution to the style and delivery of news and related content over years.

Her recent re-entry into KBC television gave the space a nostalgic feel for different audience segments. Due to her contribution to the growth of the industry, Catherine was inducted into the Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2022 during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA).

I pass my greatest sympathies to her family, colleagues, and friends. May her Soul rest in Peace and perpetual light shine upon her forever.

Raila Odinga's Tribute

Following the loss of legendary broadcast journalist Catherine Kasavuli, Mama Ida and I extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. She illuminated our screens as a trailblazer and many women joined the profession due to her captivating presence.

I pray that God comforts her family in this time of mourning and that her soul rests in eternal peace.

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