Kisumu’s media community is in shock following the untimely death of Fofona Bangali, a beloved rhumba journalist and vibrant media personality. Bangali, who was a prominent figure at Kisumu-based Radio Lake Victoria, was found lifeless in his home, leaving colleagues and friends heartbroken.
Harrison Kuyo, a presenter at the same radio station, took to social media to express his sorrow, recalling the last moments they shared. Kuyo revealed that they had lunch together on Friday at 1:45 p.m. during a marketing expedition, after which Bangali excused himself at 3:17 p.m. to rest at home. “Fofona Bangali is no more… we took lunch together yesterday in town at 1:45 p.m., and you left at 3:17 p.m. to go rest in your house. I am saddened,” Kuyo posted on Facebook.
Known for his passion for rhumba music, Bangali was more than just a journalist; he was an entertainer and a true lover of the genre, leaving an indelible mark on Kisumu’s media and entertainment scene. His sudden passing has left a void that will be hard to fill.
Richard Oyoo, the station manager at Radio Lake Victoria, also expressed his grief on social media, describing Bangali as a “Big Brother, Senior colleague, very good friend, and a free spirit.” He added, “This sudden death has hit the hardest. We have lost a Big Brother, a Senior colleague, a very good friend, a free spirit, a people’s person. He lived his life to the fullest and was dedicated to his work. Rhumba was his therapy every single day.”
Bangali’s body has been taken to Kisumu County Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem.
His death adds to a series of tragic losses in the media community, coming just days after the passing of Fredrick Parsayo, a reporter at state-owned KBC, and Nick Mudimba, a CGTN journalist who collapsed and died at his home in Syokimau.
Bangali’s passing is a profound loss to both the media and entertainment industries in Kisumu.
