Standing in stoic grief, eyes red from private and public tears, friends and acquaintances offered supportive hugs to the family of Festus Amimo as his body arrived in Kisumu.
The air was thick with sorrowful anticipation, punctuated by soft hymns and murmured cries for the fallen broadcaster.
In photos seen by TNX Africa, his wife, Rose Achieng’ Ongudi, visibly overwhelmed, collapsed onto the warm brown casket, wailing for her departed husband.
Her sorrow echoed the collective heartbreak of a community that had known Amimo not just as a voice on the radio but as a friend, mentor and guiding presence.
Standing nearby were colleagues from various media outlets, particularly Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where Amimo served as head of the Luo vernacular radio station Mayienga FM and anchored the morning show Gari Mokinyi for more than 15 years.
His rich baritone and incisive interviews had made him a household name among Luo‑speaking listeners, and his leadership helped shape the station into a trusted platform for news, culture and community discourse.
The media fraternity remains in mourning following the veteran journalist’s passing.
Leaders from across the political and media landscape have so far paid tribute, describing him as a consummate professional, a warm soul and a champion of community voices.
Amimo died in the early hours of Sunday, December 7, after reportedly collapsing in a Nairobi hotel. Details surrounding his final moments remain sparse, and an autopsy is expected to shed light on the circumstances of his death.
His heavily pregnant widow disclosed that on that fateful night, her husband went out for a night of fun but did not return, an unusual occurrence for him. The shock of his sudden departure has reverberated through family, friends and fans alike.
Villagers streamed in to offer condolences, pausing silently before joining the family in prayer.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng’ helped build a permanent simba (traditional first house) for Amimo’s eldest son ahead of the funeral, a cultural act symbolising support and continuity.
Online, fans and listeners have also shared their grief, posting memories of the presenter whose voice was a constant presence in their mornings.