Jakes Nyanjom speaks from the heart after candle-lighting vigil for late journalist Rose Mbugua
By Steve Ireri, July 23, 2026Radio presenter and online personality Jakes Nyanjom has penned an emotional tribute to late journalist and content creator Rose Mbugua, days after her death in a tragic road accident in Nairobi.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Jakes revealed that he and Rose’s friends gathered for a candle-lighting vigil to honour her memory and celebrate the life she lived.
He added that Rose’s send-off was shaping up to be a beautiful celebration of her life, with her family and close friends coming together to honour the memories she left behind.
“Hi Rose, so today marks one week since we last met and talked to each other. We had a candle-lighting ceremony for you,” Nyanjom wrote.
He went on to praise Rose’s family and friends for the support they have continued to offer during the difficult period, singling out Tracy, Chunky and Gaby for their unwavering presence.
“Your send-off is more beautiful than you could ever imagine. Your family and friends, especially Tracy, Chunky and Gaby, have been beyond supportive,” he added.
Nyanjom also reflected on the outpouring of love Rose has received following her sudden death, saying the support demonstrated how deeply she was cherished.
“In fact, Kenya loves you so much,” he wrote.
The presenter also addressed Cindy, whom he said was missing Rose deeply, before making a personal promise to ensure she would continue to receive the care and support Rose would have given her.
“Cindy misses you more than anything, but we promise to take care of her just the way you would have done for us,” Nyanjom stated.
He concluded the emotional tribute by promising that Rose’s memory would not be forgotten, assuring her that the impact she made during her life would continue to live on.
“I promise your legacy will live on forever,” he wrote.
Untimely demise
Rose, who was 24, was a former journalist with the Radio Africa Group and had also become known to followers of Nyanjom’s social media content after appearing in several videos alongside him.
Her death had earlier left Nyanjom’s family devastated, with his mother, veteran media personality Joyce Gituro, also mourning the young woman, whom she described as someone the family had known and loved.
Gituro previously revealed that Rose had featured in three videos with her and Nyanjom, making her familiar to many of their followers.
“Those who follow Jakes Nyanjom and I must have seen this girl in three of our videos,” Gituro wrote in an earlier tribute.
She described Rose’s death as a devastating loss to the family while struggling to come to terms with the sudden tragedy.
“It is such a blow to my family. We knew her, we loved her, and we are totally devastated,” she stated.
Nyanjom had also previously shared a video of himself and Rose dancing together, accompanying the post with a short but emotional message expressing how much he missed her.
“I miss you so much, Rose,” he wrote.
Rose died following a road accident along Uhuru Highway near the University Way roundabout in Nairobi.
According to reports, she was travelling as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle heading towards the city centre from Westlands when the rider reportedly lost control after hitting the pavement before crashing into the side of a Foton concrete mixer truck.
The impact threw Rose from the motorcycle, leaving her with severe injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.