Veteran Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation (KBC) broadcaster Eddy Fondo is dead.
Mr Fondo, 65, died at the gates of Kilifi county hospital on Tuesday where he had been referred from Mariakani sub-county hospital.
According to family members, he had earlier suffered stomach complications at his Kaloleni home.
A family member, Nelson Gona, said Fondo was admitted at Mariakani hospital on Monday night and was diagnosed with perforated gut.
“At first, Eddy complained of stomach problems which doctors diagnosed as perforated gut. He was admitted at Mariakani hospital, but the condition worsened, prompting the medics to refer him to Kilifi county hospital for further medication. It is sad that he has succumbed to the illness before getting any treatment,” said Mr Gona.
Fondo was an icon in the 1980 and 90s best remembered for his ‘Chaguo Lako’ programme on Voice of Kenya.
Mr Kazungu Katana, who worked with Fondo at KBC, eulogized him as a suave person who curved a niche for himself during his time.
“Fondo was a very reserved person who kept to himself most of the time. He was loved by many musicians and promoted local bands,” he said.
“He is the person who made Simba wa Nyika very popular and used to play the song, Pamela. He used to call himself MDJ (Music DJ) Fondo. He was an expert in radio continuity and I used to host him with Khadija Ali.”
“He touched many. He was an expert in radio continuity and he used to host me while they were together with Khadija Ali whom we used to call Dada Mrembo then. He nurtured many people during his time at VOK/KBC,” added Katana.
The late Fondo retired from KBC in the late 2000s and went to his Kaloleni rural home in Giriama.
He is survived by a widow, a daughter, a son and three grand-daughters.
