Prominent journalist, university and human rights crusader Yacob Yatane, who was living in Kenya in exile, has sadly died.
WT media reports that prior to his death, the journalist had allegedly complained of persistent threats and being consistently trailed by unidentified Amharic-speaking individuals in Nairobi. In November 2025 (late 2017 EC), Yacob shared that things became harder for him when two men and a woman allegedly tracked him to his residence and physically confronted and threatened him. Fearing for his life, Yacob turned to the Kenyan National Police Service as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and despite having to change his residence for security reasons, he remained vulnerable until his death. . How did Yacob Yatane die? Initially, reports from the scene suggested that there was no violence in the death of the young journalist, and a preliminary post-mortem report obtained by WT Media revealed a more complex and suspicious medical profile. The report from the (Nairobi City Mortuary) identifies the cause of death as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). According to medical experts, DIC is a serious condition where blood clots form throughout the small blood vessels of the body and are often triggered by severe infections or, significantly, exposure to toxins or poisoning. Crucially, the autopsy also revealed a parietal scalp contusion (internal head trauma) and bilateral lung haemorrhage (bleeding in both lungs). These findings suggest the possibility of physical trauma or a lethal physiological reaction to an external substance. A full toxicology screening is underway to confirm the presence of toxins after samples were taken from his body.
Yacob Yatane was a distinguished intellectual from the Konso community whose professional career was marked by significant contributions to both Ethiopian media and academia. Autopsy report for the late journalist. Photo: WT Media. Source: Facebook How did Yatane serve his country? In media, he served as a senior English program editor and reporter for the state broadcaster, ETV and while in academia, he was a dedicated university lecturer and researcher While in exile, he remained a vocal critic of human rights abuses, managing the “Southern Ethio Forum” and contributing analytical articles to platforms like Addis Standard as recently as last week. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other international human rights organisations are also closely monitoring the case. A source who wishes to remain anonymous told TUKO.co.ke that Yacob’s brother, Muse Yatane, who is a university lecturer, is currently travelling from Ethiopia to Nairobi to oversee the investigation; he wants a transparent and exhaustive inquiry. The death of Yacob Yatane brings out pertinent questions about the safety of Ethiopian journalists in Kenya, once known for being a safe haven for them.
Beloved journalist Vivian Nandege dies Vivian Nandege who died in plane crash: Photo: Vivian Nandege. Source: Facebook Another story revealed that Viviana Nandege, a beloved journalist, was among the people who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash that killed 14 people, including two Kenyans. Many people came out to mourn the media personality who loved her work at the radio station and also consoled her grieving family. also shared emotional messages after the news as they struggled to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss.
