- Fred Gumo said it was God's wish that Rita would rest before the big day that she kept promising him.
- Rita Tinina has left behind her daughter, Mia Malaikah and partner Robert Nagila also known as Bob.
Image: ENOS TECHE
Former Cabinet Minister Fred Gumo on Monday spoke of how the late journalist Rita Tinina kept him waiting for her ''big day'' with Robert Nagila.
The ex-Westlands MP, who is Nagila's uncle told mourners at Rita's requiem mass that he was looking forward to the two's joyful day.
Referring to Robert as Bob, Gumo said Rita kept telling him every time they met that the day would come soon.
The politician who was ushered to the podium by Nagila to pay his tributes said God had plucked the best in Rita from life.
"When I heard this news I was a way in Kitale. I was surprised because it came as a shock, I didn't believe it because I knew Rita and each time I met her, I asked her when is this joyful day coming,'' Gumo said.
"When is it, you cannot be friends forever? She kept on telling me Mheshimiwa don't worry the day will come.''
Gumo said he also prodded Rita about the much-awaited joyful day when they were at Nagila's father's funeral sometime back.
"Even when we were at Bob's father's funeral, I asked her again, when is this day coming? She kept on telling me Mheshimiwa the day is coming.''
The politician described Nagila's father as his cousin and close friend.
"Bob as you have been told, is like my son. His father was my cousin and we were also very close friends.''
He said it was God's wish that Rita would rest before the big day that she kept promising him.
''I don't know that the day that was coming was this particular day which is sad and that which I didn't want to come to, but it is all God's wish and as you all know, when God wants you, you will have to go.''
Rita, who has been eulogised as an accomplished journalist died in her sleep last week out of what authorities described as severe pneumonia.
Rita has left behind her daughter, Mia Malaikah and partner Robert.
Veteran TV journalist Rita Tinina, who passed away last Sunday aged 46, will be buried at her family home at Noosupeni Farm Olokirikirai, Narok County on Wednesday, March 27.
A requiem mass in honour of the deceased will be at the Holy Family Basilica ahead of her planned interment.