Soni Methu, the former host of CNN’s Inside Africa programme, has died aged 34 after collapsing suddenly in Kenya, the network has confirmed.
CNN said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague Soni Methu. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, from all at CNN.”
Her sister, Faith Methu, said she had been staying at a hotel in Diani, Kwale county on Thursday when she clutched her stomach in pain.
“She started looking like she was having a seizure,” Faith said in a statement to the media, according to the Daily Nation.
A post-mortem examination will be performed to determine the cause of death.
Methu graduated from Nairobi’s Strathmore University and hosted Inside Africa from 2014 until 2015, when the feature moved to a new format without a presenter.
During her tenure, she travelled to different African countries to highlight their culture and cuisines.
Methu, who was passionate about representing her homeland, had also worked for E! News Africa and the South African network eNCA. While at eNCA, she covered the 2013 Westgate Mall terrorist attack in Nairobi.
“I am blessed to have toured across Africa,” Methu previously wrote in a post on Facebook. “I embrace the beauty of our continent. A beautiful people with multiple cultures.”
