NTV journalist and the chairman of Rita Tinina's burial committee Duncan Khaemba has revealed that Tinina's friends have hired a Range Rover hearse to carry her body from the mortuary to her home in Kajiado.
Speaking during Tinina's requiem mass on Monday at the Holy Family Basilica, Khaemba said that this was done so that four of Tinina's friends could fulfil a plan made earlier.
"Rita's girls club (Judy, QZ, Njambi and Njeri) was to take a road trip together with Rita in a Range Rover during her leave. They have requested the family to allow them to fulfil that part of the deal so they will do that final road trip with Rita," Khaemba said.
Rita had already asked to take a leave in April and that was when the trip would happen alongside four of her friends.
The Range Rover hearse will carry Tinina's body from Umash Funeral Home to her home in Olokirikirai, Narok County on Wednesday, March 27 ahead of her burial on the same day.
Khaemba also revealed that Tinina will be laid to rest a day before her 46th birthday.
Family, friends and colleagues of Tinina on Monday gathered at the Holy Family Basilica for her requiem mass to eulogise and remember the journalist.
Tinina was celebrated as a journalist who mentored younger journalists in the profession, many of whom attributed their success to her guidance.
"The media fraternity has indeed lost a gentle giant, she will be missed around the world," the eulogy read.
NTV journalist Olive Burrows who read the statement by the family expressed the family's grief and shock following Tinina's untimely demise.
"Umetuwacha kwa mataa,"the family wrote.
They eulogised Tininia as a soft-spoken person who listened patiently to every one.
Those present at the requiem mass included her colleagues Dan Mwangi and Joe Ageyo, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, Editorial Director, Royal Media Services/Citizen TV Kenya Linus Laikai, Linda Oguttu, and Ken Mijungu.
They all eulogised her as a trailblazer in the media space whom they say will be dearly missed.
"The last time I saw Rita was on Ash Wednesday and our encounter was brief and we agreed to catch up soon but it was never to happen. She was one of the finest human souls. To the Yiapan family, we share your pain and stand with you. We acknowledge that no words are adequate to take away the grief," Kaikai said.