Hundreds of mourners thronged her home to bid farewell and celebrate the life of the decorated journalist.
Family, friends and the media fraternity paid glowing tribute to the veteran journalist who has been hailed by many as a heroine of the newsroom.
The convoy of vehicles snaked along the Nakuru -Njoro route heading to Rita’s final resting place at her home at Oloikirikira in Narok North Constituency.
The collective sadness at the funeral of a journalist who had left an indelible mark was telling with family and friends united in pain and pride as they paid glowing tributes to Yiapan’s last-born daughter.
“I sure hope and pray and we are very sure that Rita is dancing with the angels. We pray that she rests in peace and if there are roses in heaven, Lord please, pluck her bunch and hand to Rita,” said a family member.
“Her commitment to work was unparalleled- she was a pillar of strength and a source of comfort to us.”
At the edges of the Mau forest, Rita grew up to become a staunch journalist who created memories with several media outlets ……and who has left behind a rich legacy.
Her colleagues both current and former espoused Rita as a consummate professional who always got the job done.
“Alikua mtu mnyenyekevu na wa kusaidia wengine…mara nyingi watu wakifanikiwa maishani wanaanza kukua na kiburi lakini Rita hakukua hivyo,” Nation Media Group Editor Joe Ageyo said.
Media colleagues described Rita in every way that revealed how she used her time to mentor the young even back in her village in Oloikirikira.
“It is painful, I wore this shuka since we bought it with her during our last assignment…we have been together for a very long time,” said KEG President Zubeidah Kananu.
Members of parliament who graced the burial ceremony also had kind words for the celebrated journalist.
“When Rita came to KMC because we came to KMC the same time the same day, same class, I thought she was going to be my wife. She was so beautiful, she was brown and she was Maasai,” added State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Talam.
From dust we came and dust we shall go, it was Rita’s final sign-off as her body was laid to rest a few minutes before sunset.
