Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka has joined other leaders in mourning veteran journalist Kitavi Mutua, who died following a snake bite.

Kalonzo described Mutua as a friend, recalling their relationship and revealing that the journalist had been working on his second autobiography before his untimely death.

Mutua died on Friday at Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for snake venom following a bite he sustained a week earlier.

In his tribute, Kalonzo described the journalist as someone who spoke truth to power and used his work to highlight social justice issues across the country.

He further described Mutua's death as a major loss to the country and the media fraternity, calling on county governments to strengthen healthcare services and ensure the availability of essential drugs for managing snakebite cases.

Former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana also mourned Mutua, describing him as a prolific writer whose contributions had appeared in the Daily Nation and other media platforms.

According to the Kenya News Agency, Kitui County recorded 1,939 snakebite cases among patients who sought treatment at health facilities between 2020 and 2024.

Snakebite cases have been particularly prevalent in Kitui South, Mwingi North, Mwingi Central and Kitui East.