Sally Kwendo Biography, Wiki, Husband, Kids, Age, Family, Death Cause & More

Sally Kwendo is a Kenyan media personality, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker. She was born in Kakamega, Kenya, and currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is known for her inspiring story of overcoming three types of cancer and living with a colostomy bag.

Early Life and Education

Sally was born in Kakamega, Kenya, in a family of six children. She attended The Sacred Heart Girls High School, where she excelled in academics and sports. She later joined the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), where she pursued a degree in journalism and mass communication.

Sally Kwendo Wiki/Bio

Career and Achievements

Sally Kwendo started her career as a radio presenter at Radio Maisha, a popular station in Kenya. She hosted various shows, such as Maisha Asubuhi, Maisha Jioni, and Maisha Countdown. She also worked as a news anchor and reporter, covering various topics, such as politics, entertainment, and social issues.

Kwendo later moved to KTN News, a leading television network in Kenya, where she continued to work as a news anchor and reporter. She also hosted a show called Health Watch, where she interviewed experts and celebrities on various health-related topics.

Sally has won several awards and recognition for her work in the media industry. She was named the Best Female Radio Presenter in 2019 by the Media Council of Kenya. She was also nominated for the Kalasha Awards in 2020 for the Best TV Host category.

Personal Life, Spouse, and Children

Sally Kwendo is married to John Kwendo, a businessman and entrepreneur. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Sally Kwendo is a devoted Christian and a member of the Redeemed Gospel Church.

Health Condition

Kwendo is also a cancer survivor and an advocate for cancer awareness and prevention. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017, which later spread to her colon and rectum. She underwent several surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, which left her with a permanent colostomy bag.

Sally did not let her condition stop her from living her life to the fullest. She embraced her new reality and became a source of inspiration and hope for many people living with cancer and other chronic diseases. She shared her story on various platforms, such as social media, television, and public events. She also founded the Kwendo Foundation, a non-governmental organization that supports cancer patients and their families.

Height, Weight, and Body Stats

Kwendo’s height, weight, and body stats are not publicly available. However, based on her photos, she appears to be of average height and weight, with a slim and fit physique. She has black hair and brown eyes, and often wears stylish outfits and accessories. Her estimated height is around 5 feet 5 inches. Her body weight is around 57 kg (approx.).

Net Worth and Income

Kwendo’s net worth and income are also not disclosed to the public. However, as a media personality, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker, she is likely to have a decent income from her various sources. She works as a radio presenter, news anchor, and reporter for Radio Maisha and KTN News, two of the leading media outlets in Kenya.

She also hosts a show called Health Watch, where she interviews experts and celebrities on various health-related topics. She has won several awards and recognition for her work in the media industry, such as the Best Female Radio Presenter in 2019 by the Media Council of Kenya, and the Kalasha Awards nominee in 2020 for the Best TV Host category. She also founded the Sally Foundation, a non-governmental organization that supports cancer patients and their families.

Parents and Siblings

Kwendo’s parents and siblings are not much known to the public. However, she has mentioned in some of her posts that she comes from a family of six children and that she was born in Kakamega, Kenya. She also shared some photos of her parents and siblings on her social media accounts, such as Facebook and Instagram, where she has thousands of followers. She often expresses her love and gratitude for her family and celebrates their birthdays and achievements.

Death Cause and Legacy

Sally Kwendo passed away on November 28, 2023, at the age of 40. She succumbed to complications from her cancer after a long and brave battle. She was surrounded by her family and friends at the time of her death.

Sally left behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and positivity. She touched the lives of many people with her message of faith, hope, and love. She will be remembered as a media personality, a cancer survivor, and a motivational speaker.

Kenyan Journalist Dies after Abduction by Suspected Militants

Sally, a presenter at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), died on November 28, 2023, at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, days after she was reportedly abducted by suspected militants in Mandera County, near the border with Somalia. 

Kwendo was among a group of journalists who were covering a peace initiative by local elders when they were ambushed by armed men on November 23. She sustained gunshot wounds and was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment, but succumbed to her injuries five days later.

Abduction and Rescue

According to media reports, Kwendo and three other journalists, identified as John Musyoka, Boniface Kirera, and Stephen Letoo, were traveling in a convoy of vehicles escorted by security officers when they came under attack by gunmen believed to be members of the al-Shabab militant group. The attackers reportedly seized Kwendo and Musyoka, while Kirera and Letoo managed to escape with minor injuries. The security officers engaged the assailants in a gunfight but were overpowered and forced to retreat.

The abduction sparked a massive search and rescue operation by the Kenyan security forces, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA). The operation involved aerial surveillance, ground patrols, and intelligence gathering, and lasted for three days. On November 26, the security forces located the hideout of the kidnappers in a forested area and launched a raid, rescuing Kwendo and Musyoka, and killing several militants. The two journalists were airlifted to Nairobi for medical attention, but Kwendo’s condition was critical.

Tributes and Condemnation

Kwendo’s death was mourned by her colleagues, friends, and family, who described her as a courageous, professional, and passionate journalist. KBC issued a statement expressing its shock and sadness over the loss of one of its staff members and praised Kwendo for her dedication and commitment to her work. The statement also conveyed its condolences to Kwendo’s family and wished Musyoka a quick recovery.

The incident also drew condemnation from various media and human rights organizations, who called for justice and accountability for the perpetrators of the attack. The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) said that the abduction and killing of Kwendo was a violation of press freedom and the right to life, and urged the government to ensure the safety and security of journalists operating in conflict-prone areas. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said that the attack was a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in the region, and called on the authorities to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the attack was part of a pattern of violence and intimidation against journalists by al-Shabab and other armed groups, and urged the government to protect journalists and respect their right to report on issues of public interest.

Background and Context

Kenya has been a target of frequent attacks by al-Shabab, a Somalia-based militant group that has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and seeks to overthrow the Somali government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islamic law. 

The group has carried out several deadly assaults on Kenyan soil, including the 2013 Westgate Mall attack, the 2015 Garissa University attack, and the 2019 DusitD2 hotel attack, which killed a total of more than 200 people. The group has also targeted journalists, aid workers, and government officials, especially in the border regions of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, where it has a strong presence and influence.

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