The death of veteran Kitui journalist Kitavi Mutua has sparked fresh questions over the role of religious beliefs in access to medical treatment after his cousin, Cyrrus Kithele, claimed that the journalist remained at home for three weeks following a venomous snake bite because of his family’s association with the Kavonokya religious sect.
In an emotional social media statement, Cyrrus alleged that Kitavi’s access to hospital care was delayed by religious convictions that discourage conventional medical treatment, arguing that the journalist might have stood a better chance of survival had he received medical attention earlier.
He directly blamed what he described as Kavonokya’s influence, declaring: “The snake bite didn’t kill Kitavi. ‘Kavonokya’ did!”
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Photo credit: Cyrrus Kithele / Facebook
The allegations have introduced a new and troubling dimension to the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death, shifting attention from the snake attack itself to questions about what happened in the days that followed and whether earlier medical intervention could have changed the outcome.
According to Cyrrus, Kitavi had the means and connections to access medical assistance within a short time but allegedly remained at home for approximately three weeks after the snake bite.
He claimed that the family kept his condition and the circumstances surrounding his treatment away from people outside their religious circle until someone eventually found a way to get him to Kitui for medical attention.
The cousin argued that by the time Kitavi accessed hospital treatment, his condition had deteriorated significantly, making medical intervention increasingly difficult.
His account raises serious questions about whether religious convictions influenced decisions surrounding the journalist’s healthcare and whether the alleged delay compromised his chances of survival.
A family tragedy that Cyrrus says goes back decades
In his statement, Cyrrus suggested that Kitavi’s death was not an isolated tragedy within the family.
He recalled an incident more than 20 years ago in which the family allegedly lost three children on the same day, followed later by the death of his aunt from medical conditions he believes could have been managed through medication available at local dispensaries.
He attributed those losses to the family’s adherence to religious convictions that discouraged conventional medical treatment.
For Cyrrus, the latest loss has brought back painful memories of what he considers a recurring pattern of preventable deaths.
His concerns have renewed scrutiny of Kavonokya, a religious sect that has previously attracted attention over its position on hospitals, medication and conventional healthcare.
Historical media investigations have documented concerns about adherents relying on prayer and rejecting conventional medical treatment.
However, the specific circumstances surrounding Kitavi’s healthcare decisions remain to be independently established.
Conflicting accounts raise questions about his final days
The new allegations also raise questions about the timeline of Kitavi’s final illness.
Earlier reports quoted family spokesperson Faith Kithele as saying that the journalist was initially admitted to Kitui County Referral Hospital before being transferred to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital for specialised treatment.
He reportedly spent approximately two weeks in intensive care before succumbing to complications.
Cyrrus’s account, however, suggests that Kitavi may have remained at home for about three weeks after the snake bite before accessing hospital treatment.
The apparent discrepancy raises important questions about when the snake attack occurred, when he first received medical attention and the circumstances that eventually led to his hospital admission.
The cousin’s allegations have not yet been independently verified, and the precise medical timeline remains important in understanding the circumstances surrounding the death.
Cousin calls for government intervention
Beyond mourning his relative, Cyrrus wants the government to take a closer look at religious organisations whose teachings allegedly expose followers to life-threatening situations.
He argued that the government has a constitutional responsibility to intervene where religious practices endanger lives, calling for investigations into such groups, arrests where criminal conduct is established and possible deregistration.
Invoking the Shakahola tragedy, he questioned why authorities should wait for another major disaster before taking action against religious organisations accused of discouraging access to medical treatment.
His statement has reignited a wider debate about the balance between freedom of worship and the responsibility to protect citizens from preventable harm.
Kenya’s Constitution protects freedom of religion, but religious freedom does not place criminal conduct or unlawful neglect beyond the law. Any intervention against a religious organisation must, however, be supported by evidence and due process.
A journalist’s death and questions that remain unanswered
Kitavi’s death has left a significant gap in Kitui’s media fraternity.
Through his work with Nation Media Group, he brought stories from Kitui and the wider Ukambani region to national attention, covering politics, governance, agriculture, environmental issues and the everyday experiences of local communities.
His passing is now prompting questions that extend beyond his journalism career.
For Cyrrus, the grief is accompanied by anger and the conviction that his cousin’s death might have been avoided had he received medical attention earlier.
Whether the alleged three-week delay occurred as described, whether religious beliefs influenced the family’s decisions and whether earlier treatment could have changed the outcome are questions that deserve thorough investigation.
As the family mourns a journalist whose career was built around telling the stories of others, his cousin’s allegations have opened another difficult conversation about the consequences of religious convictions when they come into conflict with access to life-saving healthcare.
For now, the circumstances surrounding Kitavi’s final days remain a matter requiring answers.
