Veteran media consultant Jerry Okungu has died after a long battle with cancer.
The 61 year old veteran journalist died at MP Shah Hospital in nairobi.
Okungu who was born in Awasi, Kochogo village in Central Nyanza began his career in the media industry in 1986.
Okungu is widely known for spearheading major events among them the launch of the East Africa Newspaper throughout East Africa in 1996.
Okungu also served in the World Rotary President’s Media and Communications Advisory besides chairing the African Council for Communication in Education
At one time, he also chaired the Kenya Journalist of the Year Awards.
Okungu also served as council member of the Marketing Society of Kenya, Vice Chair of the Public Relations Society of Kenya among others.
Okungu was among other things a consultant for the International Republican Institute in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Malawi, Sudan and Egypt.
Okungu was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an advanced stage in 2011.
During his treatment process, Okungu gathered information about this killer disease and began an awareness campaign.
The campaign was aimed at raising funds for the marginalized communities in need of testing and screening for prostate cancer and due to poverty cannot afford regular screenings.
Okungu launched the Jerry Okungu Prostate Cancer Forum which eventually was turned into a fund.
By Wangui Ngechu
citizennews.co.ke
