NAIROBI, Kenya – Veteran Kenyan radio journalist, presenter and news anchor Gladys Kadzo Ziro has died after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy as one of the familiar voices in Coast region broadcasting.
Ziro, who worked at Bahari FM, a Royal Media Services station, died on August 30, 2026, according to her family.
Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief from colleagues, former classmates, friends and members of the coastal community, who remembered her for her contribution to radio broadcasting and her connection with Mijikenda-speaking audiences.
Ziro was particularly known for presenting news and current affairs in Swahili and local coastal languages, including Giriama.
Gladys Ziro battled illness
According to her family, Ziro had been battling lupus, an autoimmune disease, for several years.
She stepped away from her duties at Bahari FM about two years before her death to focus on her health and treatment.
Her condition reportedly worsened shortly before her death. Her family said she experienced severe vomiting and weakness during the period.
Despite her prolonged illness, Ziro remained widely remembered for her contribution to broadcasting along the Kenyan Coast.
Career at Bahari FM
Ziro built her broadcasting career as a news anchor and radio presenter at Bahari FM, where she became a familiar voice to listeners across the Coast.
Her work included presenting news bulletins and current-affairs programmes, with a particular focus on communicating with audiences in local languages.
Her ability to broadcast in Giriama and coastal Swahili helped strengthen her connection with Mijikenda-speaking communities.
Through her years on air, Ziro established herself as one of the recognisable voices in Coast-based broadcasting.
Tributes pour in
News of her death prompted tributes from journalists, public figures and members of the community.
Football commentator and fellow journalist Stephen Mukangai described Ziro as an icon of the media fraternity, mourning the loss of her voice and contribution to journalism.
“You have gone too soon, Gladys. But then again, what is life? Like a flower, beautiful and delicate. One moment you are here with us, and the next, you are gone,” Mukangai said.
He added that her death had left a void that would be difficult to fill.
Coast-based public figure George Kithi, who chairs the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF) Board, also sent condolences to Ziro’s family, friends and loved ones.
Kithi remembered her as a cherished Giriama news anchor and a prominent voice in the region.
Other mourners included her former classmate and neighbour Charo Shem, as well as Mike Mumba and Sam Amany, who shared personal tributes following news of her death.
A familiar voice on the Kenyan Coast
Ziro’s career reflected the important role of vernacular and regional broadcasting in connecting audiences with news and current affairs in languages they understand and identify with.
Her work at Bahari FM gave her a platform to serve audiences across the Coast while promoting the use of local languages in radio journalism.
For many listeners, her voice became part of the region’s broadcasting landscape.
Her death is therefore being mourned not only as the loss of a journalist but also as the loss of a familiar voice that had served coastal audiences for years.
As tributes continue to emerge, Ziro is being remembered for her professionalism, dedication to broadcasting and contribution to journalism in Kenya’s Coast region.
Funeral and burial arrangements are expected to be communicated by the family.
