Darlington (pictured) died yesterday morning at his home in Kithoka Estate, Meru town after a short illness.
The journalist fell sick soon after returning from Mombasa.
It is a double tragedy for Darlington’s family since his death comes only a month after that of his elder brother Ronny Nturibi.
Darlington had travelled to Mombasa to pick Nturibi’s belongings.
The 29-year-old, who majored in crime and court reporting for The Standard, also reported news for Standard Group’s Radio Maisha.
Standard Group Mt Kenya Region Bureau Chief Francis Ngige described Manyara’s death as a great loss for the company, the region and media fraternity.
“He was such a bubbly mate and a passionate journalist, who we shall greatly miss. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may the family find strength,” said Ngige.
Darlington had been based in Standard Group’s Meru office since joining the company in 2016. His colleagues paid glowing tributes to him and termed his death a great and painful loss. His mother Alice Manyara said the family had lost a last-born who was also a pillar.
“He grew up without any health challenges. The sad thing is he was not even sick when they left for Mombasa,” said his mother.?
Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi also mourned the journalist. “My heart is heavy since receiving the news of the death of my friend and great journalist Darlington. He was kind and dedicated to his work,” the MP said.
His senior colleague at the Meru office, Wainaina Ndung’u, said Darlington was super talented.
“As the Meru office we shall also miss his company,” said Ndung’u. Born in a family of one sister and two brothers, Darlington schooled at Kithoka Primary School and at Burieruri Boys High School in Igembe.
He studied Journalism and Mass Communication at the Technical University of Mombasa in 2014 and had previously worked for the Nation Media Group.
