Little-Known Struggles Of Veteran Anchor Catherine Kasavuli Before Her Death
Kasavuli, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in late 2022, was hospitalised at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) until her death on December 29, just two days before 2023.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Former presidential hopeful Reuben Kigame has revealed that the late legendary newscaster Catherine Kasavuli died while struggling financially, despite her trailblazing career in Kenya’s broadcast industry.
Speaking on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday night, October 25, the former presidential aspirant said that at the time of her death in December 2022, Kasavuli was broke and unable to pay rent for the servant’s quarter apartment she lived in.
"I want to give you an example. How many of you remember the lovely voice and face of Catherine Kasavuli? She revolutionised Kenya’s broadcast space," Kigame wrote.
Human rights activist and gospel musician Reuben Kigame during a past media address. /FILE
"But how many of you know that Catherine died unable to even pay rent in an SQ where she lived, having made many media houses big and famous? I can speak this authoritatively because I was one of those helping to make ends meet by sharing the little I had towards the end of her life."
Kasavuli, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in late 2022, was hospitalised at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) until her death on December 29, just two days before 2023. She was 60 years old.
Following her death, President William Ruto contributed Ksh1 million toward her funeral and cleared her outstanding hospital bill.
This is after the family appealed for help in settling pending medical funds amounting to Ksh 4 million she had accrued during her treatment and admission to the hospital.
Kigame used Kasavuli’s story to highlight what he described as a widespread crisis facing journalists in Kenya, accusing media owners of neglecting their workers despite reaping massive profits.
"As we bring this week to a close and spend some time in worship places, let us think of and pray for journalists, editors, and reporters who are going through economic hell due to unpaid salaries and allowances, leading to mental health challenges to the point of being suicidal," he said.
"It is time for media owners to seriously think about those who work for them and bring in a lot of advertising and programme funds."
The gospel musician and journalist urged Kenyans to pray for reporters struggling under harsh financial conditions, warning that the ongoing exploitation within the industry was driving many into depression and hopelessness.
