Kitavi died at the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital on Friday while receiving treatment for a snake venom, following a snake bite a week early.

"Kitavi was a journalist who spoke truth to power. He covered social justice issues across the country, and he was someone I knew on a personal level as he was working on my second autobiography," Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo termed the loss of Kitavi a big blow to him, the country and indeed the media fraternity, urging county governments to ensure proper care and availability of drugs to deal with incidences such as snake bites.

Former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana also mourned the fallen Kitavi, saying i t is heartbreaking to lose a young man whose gift with words touched many.