Former Standard Group Editor takes final bow

From left: Mitchel Dibo, Editor at Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, the late veteran Journalist Peter Okongo and former Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board CEO Edward Mwasi. [Courtesy]

The Kenyan media industry is mourning following the passing of Peter Okong’o, a veteran journalist.

Okong’o, who dedicated over 25 years to journalism and consulting, passed away in the early hours of October 31, 2024, in his Nairobi home.

His family said he had been recuperating after suffering health complications since August and resumed work in September.

On the evening of October 30, he complained of a headache and chest pains, retiring early to bed. This prompted his son Nathan to call paramedics but Okong'o was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

 “My father was pronounced dead by the doctors whom I had called 10 minutes prior to what seemed like a heart attack,” he said.

Standard Group Editor-in-Chief Ochieng Rapuro remembered Okong’o not only for his editorial skill but for his gentle humor and warm presence.

“We met at the University of Nairobi, School of Journalism, and graduated together. You would give him your copy, and he would return it polished to perfection. He was a fine business journalist, and we both flourished on the business desk, moving up together,” said Rapuro.

“Known for his ability to manage both his team and the news with calm resolve, Okong’o had a “conflict-avoidant personality,” he added.

“He was quiet but always jolly, a man who loved life and laughter. Sitting with him, you’d see a unique perspective that defined his humor.”

Rapuro said together with Okongo they joined the business desk and rose through the ranks. “He was a fine business journalist I worked with him and of all the class of Journalism, we remained a few active in journalism. We all grew up in this profession through the business desk,” he said.

The late journalist’s quiet strength earned him lasting friendships and respect across newsrooms.

Standard Group Print Editor John Bundotich who worked with Okong’o for many years, described him as “a professional and a gentleman, always dedicated to his work.”

 “He was such a professional and fine gentleman and a man of few words dedicated to his work. “We lost a fine journalist; the media fraternity is one man down,” he said.

 “We doubled as sub-editors of the business desk and later in senior leadership as editor of the print while I served as chief editor,” Bundotich said.

Former Standard Group Head of News Kipkoech Tanui, under whom Okong’o served as Deputy Managing Editor, praised him as a versatile editor who could cross from business into politics with ease.

“He was part of a generation of reporters who expanded the scope of business journalism, documenting Kenyan history across administrations. His footprint in Kenyan media will never be forgotten,” said Tanui.

He described the veteran journalist as a talented editor.

“He would cross-cut from doing business his area of specialisation to politics and national affairs. He transited from Business to managing the newsroom,” said Tanui.

He said Okongo belonged to that league of reporters that helped enhance business reporting and beyond, whose footprints will never be forgotten.

“He led in the process of recording the history of Kenya in terms of the Kenyatta government, Moi, Kibaki and the where they capturing details of every Cabinet Secretary and Ministers that ever served in this country,” he said.

In recent years, Okong’o had taken his wealth of experience to consulting roles with organisations like Deutsche Welle Akademie and Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, where he managed editorial projects on Kenya’s history.

Kenya Editors’ Guild President Zubeida Kananu, said Okong’o’s legacy is one of excellence and humility.

“His contributions to business journalism will always be remembered. He was down to earth, a true gentleman. Okong’o was more than just a talented journalist—he was a cherished colleague and a gentle giant whose impact will resonate for years to come,” said Kananu.

Okong’o’s influence extended beyond newsrooms, with many mentees and colleagues alike recalling his support and mentorship.

Oketch Okendo, a veteran journalist, remembered him as “a diligent editor with a keen sense for news quality and deadlines. “He was a team player, passionate and committed, mentoring countless journalists along the way,” he said.

Former Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board  CEO Edward Mwasi, termed Okongo’s dedication to work as unmatched, truly committed to purposeful, impactful work, hardworking staff that any organization would wish to have.

“My own success is in large part a result of his dedication, the efforts of our team, and, most of all, his contributions to editorial content. Peter’s legacy of excellence and his vibrant spirit will be deeply missed,” he said.

He noted that this enabled him to create a supportive environment for everyone around him, ensuring that each person felt valued and respected.

“He was more than just a colleague; someone you could count on. His vision during that time helped us achieve a remarkable feat—producing seven books that set the standard for creative writing and content generation, proving that motivated professionals could deliver from anywhere,” he said.

Okong’o joined the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, where he pursued a degree in English from 1989 to 1994, before enrolling for a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication at the University of Nairobi.

In 1997, he joined Standard Media Group as an intern on the Sports desk at the Likoni Road office, launching a career that would see him become a prominent business editor and later a respected media consultant.

He was later hired as sub-editor in 1999 where he served for two years. In 2003 he joined Nation Media Group (NMG) as a Business editor. He left NMG in 2008 to rejoin Standard Group. Okong’o served as a Senior Associate Business Editor until 2011 before he was promoted to Deputy Managing Editor for the daily editions.

In December 2015, Okong’o left Standard Group’ with a wealth of experience to become a technical advisor on communications consultant at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). In August 2019 he joined the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board as Editorial Manager.

Okong’o also worked at Mediamax in June 2019 as a consulting editor and Special Business Correspondent for People Daily. He has served in other organizations in a consulting capacity including Deutsche Welle Akademie, the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors, and Gina Din Group.