Kenya’s media family is mourning Edmond Salasya, a well-known KBC Radio Taifa and Kiswahili Service presenter, who died on the morning of Thursday, September 10, 2026, after suffering a lung collapse.
Colleagues say he was on air the night before, hosting his show from 8 PM to midnight, making his sudden death even more shocking to listeners and fellow journalists.
Edmond Salasya was a broadcast journalist with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where he became a familiar voice on Radio Taifa and the KBC Kiswahili Service.
He was known for his Swahili-language programmes and had built a loyal audience across Kenya, with Radio Taifa broadcasting on major frequencies such as 92.9 FM in Nairobi, 100.8 FM in Mombasa, 104.5 FM in Kisumu, and 104.1 FM in Nakuru.
The sad news was first shared on social media on Thursday morning by fellow journalist Stephen Mukangai, who described Salasya as both a colleague and a brother.
Mukangai wrote that losing Salasya was deeply painful, saying his voice, presence, and the memories he created would remain in people’s hearts. He ended his tribute with the words: “Lala salama, Edmond Salasya. You will never be forgotten.”
Many media personalities and listeners rushed to share their condolences online, calling him a “bingwa wa kipaza sauti” (champion of the microphone).
Bonnie Musambi, a former Radio Taifa colleague, said Salasya’s death hit him hard, especially because he had heard him on air just the previous night.
Musambi remembered their close friendship and how they often called each other “Manze Osuofia,” bonding over their shared love of rhumba music.
Enock Bosire, another friend and colleague, said he arrived at work on Thursday to find sad faces before learning of Salasya’s death.
He noted that listeners had enjoyed Salasya’s show the night before and would miss his unique Lingala greetings, which had become his signature on air.
Salasya is remembered for his professionalism, dedication to broadcasting, and the warm relationships he built with fellow journalists and listeners.
