Former CNN ‘Inside Africa’ host Soni Methu dies at 34

By Aanu Adeoye, CNN

Soni Methu was in Diani, Kenya, Thursday when she collapsed in front of family members and died on her way to the hospital
Her younger sister Faith said it appeared Methu suffered a seizure
Methu hosted the show Inside African on CNN International between 2014 and 2015
At the time of her death, Methu worked as a reporter for the Chinese-owned news network CGTN

Kenyan journalist Soni Methu, the former host of CNN’s “Inside Africa,” has died at the age of 34.

She collapsed suddenly on Thursday in Kenya and died en route to the hospital, her sister, Faith Methu, said in a statement.

The cause of death remains unknown at this time.

“We don’t know much but a post mortem will be done to tell exactly what happened,” Faith Methu said.

Soni Methu hosted “Inside Africa,” CNN International’s longest-running feature program, from 2014 until 2015 when the show moved to a new format without a presenter.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague Soni Methu,” CNN said in a statement.

“Our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, from all at CNN.”

Methu was very proud to be the first Kenyan host of “Inside Africa,” and was passionate about presenting her homeland to the world.
As part of the show, Methu traveled to different countries on the African continent and highlighted their cultures and cuisines.

Those at CNN who knew and worked with her say she had a great energy, an ability to light up the room and was incredibly kind to those she worked with as well as people she met in her travels.

She was previously east Africa correspondent at South African news channel eNCA for two years, where she covered the Westgate Mall terrorist attack in Nairobi and other incidents in the region.