The death of Trans Nzoia County Information officer Pauline Ikanda has thrown the media fraternity into shock.

Ikanda who until her death was serving as the Trans Nzoia County Information Officer.

She died on Sunday at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where he was receiving medication.

The veteran journalist died after a short illness.

According to her daughter Salone Namikoye, her mother was taken ill last Sunday.

“She felt sick and we had to take her to hospital where she was treated but again developed breathing complications on Friday night and she was rushed to Moi Referral and Teaching Hospital,” Namikoye told the People Daily in an interview.

Namikoye said her mother died at 5.30 am after acute kidney failure.

“We lost her this yesterday Sunday from acute kidney failure. Several tests had been conducted and a chest infection had been detected,” Namikoye said.

News of Mrs Ikanda death hit Trans-Nzoia county and sparked mourning from local journalists.

“Her death is a big loss not only to her family, colleagues and close friends but also to the county which she served diligently. She will be immensely missed. May she rest in peace,” said Collins Shitiabayi, the chairman of Kitale Press Welfare said.

Kitale Press organization (KIPO) chairman Fred Namutembi also eulogized Ms Ikanda as a steadfast and hardworking public servant who defended Journalism.

Kenya Seed Company public relations manager Jane Gitau mourned the Journalist and described her as a humble and friendly person.

“We had an interactive forum with Kitale journalists a fortnight ago and Pauline brought wide ideas and it is sad she has gone,” said Gitau.

Kenya Correspondents Association Chairman William Oloo Janak and the head of Media Development and strategy at the Media Council of Kenya Victor Bwire also condoled with the media fraternity following the death of Ms Ikanda.

” Ikanda never liked controversy and she could openly be seen bringing people together even after quarrelling. This was a leader, she will forever be remembered for her service’’, said Janak.

Bwire remembered Ikanda as an aggressive Journalist who built rapport with many sources in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.

Long-serving KBC reporter Ekoine Juma said he was saddened by Ikanda’s death.

“It is a big loss. She was inspirational and supported us in the field,” said Juma.

Ms Ikanda is one of the pioneer news correspondents in the North Rift region from early 2001 when she was posted in Trans Nzoia as an assistant District information officer.

She worked for the government-run National news agency created in 1963 and rose to the rank of District information officer in Bungoma.

She was later transferred back to Trans Nzoia as the County information officer, a position she held until her death.