Evelyne Ogutu: Ex-Standard Media Group Journalist Dies

Former Standard Media Group (SMG) journalist, Evelyne Ogutu, died on Friday, November 11, in what sent several Kenyan scribes into mourning.

Reports revealed that Ogutu had passed away after delivering twins through a cesarean section in a city hospital. The twins however survived and are currently being monitored by medics closely.

Prior to the new set of blessings, Ogutu, according to her Facebook profile, was a mother to other three children; two sons and a daughter.

Ogutu, before her demise, was the head of communications at the Heinrich Boll Foundation. Her friends and colleagues in the industry were shocked upon learning the news of her demise and eulogised her as a loving, caring and dedicated media practitioner. 

Former Standard journalist Evelyne Ogutu posing for a photo. /FACEBOOK.EVELYNE OGUTU

"There are people who we meet and make our friends, then there are those who become our friends before our first meeting, then one day, you go to a WhatsApp group, and you meet the news that she will never call again," Dennis Itumbi, a digital media strategist, eulogised. 

"Everything they say, All I remember is, She died while bringing forth life. She will never live to see her twins. Such a beautiful human being you were to all of us.

"I am shattered. Go well, my friend! You just reminded us of the fragility of life! It's such a dark Friday! I am sad! I am hurt! I am distraught! I am numb! Praying for you all, friends and colleagues, family and relatives!" wrote Patience Nyange.

"How brutal can this life be? How fickle. Just what is there to keep in this world? Rest with the angels Evelyn Ogutu. You gave me the warmest reception in Nyeri Standard Bureau Office when I joined you there after our time at KIMC.

"You were not only a friend but that good neighbour who could just walk into my room in Mama Kamau's house which we had rented, anytime, without even a knock. I remember Mama Kamau waking up to tell us to switch off our lights as we talked late into the night as if we were new to each other, yet we shared a desk at Gathungu House and often spent the day together," added Moses Njagih.

Ogutu was a multimedia communication specialist with over 10 years of experience, having graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelors Degree in Public Policy and Administration and an Associate's degree in Communications, Journalism and Related Programs from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC).

She launched her journalism career at SMG where she was based at its Nyeri bureau before moving to Nairobi. During her seven-year spell there, she grew herself as a features writer and took part in the concept generation for a weekend pullout targeting women- the Instinct Magazine which used to be published weekly by the Standard Newspaper.

She later left the newsroom to delve into Public Relations (PR) where she had a glittering career. Among her notable achievements include the East African Community (EAC) integration in her role as a strategist.

Ogutu had admitted to experiencing difficulties at some point in her career and thought about quitting her job. Despite that, she benefited from high-profile assignments and networked with some of the prominent persons she worked with.

She was also a Senior Communications Consultant at MediaEdge Public Relations (PR)/Red House Group at the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Nairobi.