In the quiet of night, alone with my thoughts, I hear only my wristwatch ticking as I reflect on a fellow journalist, a friend, a brother—my hero, Nick Omondi Mudimba.

Writing about someone who became family isn’t easy, but for Mudimba, I must. Eight years ago, when I was jobless in this city, he gave me a chance on national television. He guided, supported, and mentored me in sports coverage. With profound gratitude, I share the story of a man I knew well.

Our journey began on October 16, 2018, when I messaged him on Instagram as a fresh university graduate seeking an internship at Switch TV. Hours later, he responded, asking me to be patient until they started recruiting interns.

By December 3, when recruitment began, our conversations moved from Instagram to X. He requested my CV and called me days later, saying, “Young man, you’ve been persistent. If you get called for an interview, the rest is up to you, right?” I replied, “Yes, sir.”

Among 19 candidates, I emerged victorious alongside Juliet Wanjiku, becoming Switch TV Kenya’s first interns. My first story covered the Kenyan Premier League banning several stadiums due to poor playing conditions. Mudimba connected me with the KPL CEO, and I produced a comprehensive piece that ignited my passion for sports reporting.

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mudimba called me outside the newsroom and said, “My boy, I’ve resigned to focus on freelance work. The pay cuts here will disrupt my other projects.” I was stunned. How could a pioneer leave the ship before it docked? “I know you’ll have a difficult time,” he added, “but don’t worry, things will be fine.”

When I visited him at his Imara Daima home, Mudimba was always full of life and wisdom. He loved football banter, supporting Manchester United and AFC Leopards, though he despised the latter’s leadership. He was surprised I didn’t drink despite his house overflowing with alcohol and food. “If you don’t love alcohol, then you love women,” he would joke.

He adored Sauti Sol’s music, playing “Senje” on repeat in his car, and enjoyed gospel music by Eunice Njeri and Godwill Babette. He invested in clothes and shoes, was sceptical of Kenyan politics, and had a passion for fine cars and aviation.

In June 2020, Mudimba called and asked me to meet him at Southfield Mall. I wrapped up my interviews in Eastlands and found him there. To my surprise, a contract for a sports reporter position at K24 TV awaited me. Though Mudimba had joined China Global Television Network as an Africa correspondent, he still looked out for my career advancement.

We kept in touch, meeting occasionally for tea at his place or in town. His phone calls were lengthy – he genuinely cared about everyone’s wellbeing, from our Switch TV colleagues to those at K24 and others who had left journalism.

This past weekend, we planned to visit his new Syokimau home, only to receive news of his passing via Facebook. Disbelieving, I joined his family at Montezuma Funeral Home that night. Seeing his lifeless body, reality struck – my brother and friend had gone to rest with the Lord.

Kenya has lost a top journalist who rose from local to international prominence through hard work. Mudimba was a consummate professional, a team leader who brought joy to people’s lives and profoundly impacted both peers and young journalists.

I’m grateful he lived fully – covering African Uinion Commission elections in Addis Ababa, flying aircraft from Wilson Airport, or navigating Mombasa Road in his BMW X5.

As I rest tonight, I thank Mama Mary Mudimba for sharing her son with us. He came, saw, and conquered.

When the roll of journalists who sought truth and justice through blood, sweat, and tears is called, may we all remember: there was Nick Mudimba.

— The writer is a Sports Journalist with
Mediamax TV channel K24