Media in grief as KTN's Ahmed Dharwesh passes on

For many years, a number of Kenyans loved and enjoyed watching Ahmed Juma Swaleh, popularly known as Ahmed Dharwesh, on KTN.

The self-effacing Dharwesh signed off on Sunday evening, and in something akin to kismat, passed on a day later.

To his colleagues, Dharwesh, or simply Daru, was a pillar of the entire Kiswahili journalism.

His younger brother, Khamis Dharwesh, told The Standard that as usual he enjoyed watching Daru anchor the 7pm bulletin on KTN till he signed off by saying: “Nahitimisha taarifa za KTN Leo Wikendi. Maulana akiridhia, hapo kesho tutakutana papa hapa. Inshalah kutoka kwangu Ahmed Dharwesh. Nakutakia usiku mtulivu, Kwaheri. (I conclude KTN Leo Weekend edition and God willing we shall meet again here tomorrow. From me, Ahmed Darwesh, I wish you a calm night, goodbye).

But it seems Allah had other plans for the son of Juma Swaleh and Mwanamgeni Hassan as that Sunday would be his final appearance on live TV. He was expected to anchor the 7pm Kiswahili news but failed to show up.

Not one to miss work, fellow journalist Mohamed Ali and other friends sought to find out his whereabouts even as Ali Manzu stepped in.

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Daru had moved his wife, Mwanahawa, two daughters and a son to Mombasa for the December holidays and opted to remain alone in Nairobi.

When no one could trace his whereabouts, Mwanahawa instructed neighbours to break into the house. Two young boys jumped over the fence to find a half-closed door. Upon entry, they found Daru seated calmly on the couch but this time, his body was cold.

He was rushed to Mater Hospital at around 9pm but it was too late. He was no more, doctors confirmed.

Described as a simple, humorous, loving man with a down-to-earth demeanour who mentored a number of his colleagues at Standard Group Ltd, the news sent shock waves in the media fraternity.

His body was flown to Mombasa yesterday morning from Wilson Airport accompanied by a number of his colleagues.

In Mombasa, thousands of mourners, fans and friends including politicians and professional colleagues were waiting at Moi International Airport. They wanted to attend his burial at Kikowani Muslim Cemetery in the coastal city.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir led mourners in receiving the body at the airport early yesterday.

Also at the airport was Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa, former Kenya Ports Authority Managing director and Mombasa International Agricultural Show chairman Brown Ondego.

Daru was buried after prayers at Marembo Memon mosque last evening. At the burial were present and former colleagues led by KTN’s Managing Editor Joe Ageyo.

“We are saddened by the sudden death of our brother and dear friend Darwesh. The entire Mombasa County leadership joins in condoling with the family of the deceased,” Joho said.

Joho also sent his heartfelt condolences to the media fraternity and in particular the Standard Group (SG) where Darwesh worked as a news anchor and Kiswahili News Editor.

“We are with the family and all his friends during these very trying moments. We loved his television presentation skills and style,” Joho said.

Nassir said he had personally spoken to Darwesh two days before his demise and they had agreed to meet in Nairobi later in the week.

“This was not to be and we are gathered here today as we prepare to bury him. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace,” Nassir said.

Former Mvita legislator and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said he had learnt of Darwesh’s death with a lot of shock.

“He was modest in his professional work and knew how to do his work well, winning admiration from all sundry,” Balala told The Standard on telephone.

An author by profession, he had written a number of books which were yet to be published, besides being the brains behind the budding Swahili television presenters.

He is survived by three children Rahma, 9, Rahima, 7, and Ridhwani, one-month-old.

Report by Caroline Nyanga, John Lawrence and Philip Mwakio