Tony Ngare, a former Standard journalist and advocate for press freedom, died in the Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crash on March 10, 2019, which claimed 157 lives from 35 nations. The incident claimed 32 Kenyan citizens, including Ngare, former Football Kenya Federation Secretary General Hussein Swaleh, and media executives.
Royal Media Services' Linus Kaikai remembered Ngare as a steadfast supporter of responsible journalism, recalling their collaboration during Kenya's 2018 media challenges. 'He stood with us in the literally 'dark days' of February 2018,' Kaikai tweeted, citing their shared commitment to press integrity.
Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Eric Oduor described Ngare as a 'friend and colleague in the struggle for press freedom,' while cartoonist Gammz shared a 2007 caricature that first appeared in Ngare's Pulse magazine column, 'The Banter.'
Ngare's professional legacy includes founding the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) under the Kenya National Commission to Unesco. The forum, co-chaired by the Media Council of Kenya and KUJ, focuses on aligning international media support with national priorities. It organized the 2017 Eastern Africa Conference on Journalist Safety, addressing UN General Assembly 2012 guidelines for protecting media professionals.
His work extended to strengthening community radio initiatives and mentoring journalists. The KMSWG's 2017 conference emphasized capacity-building for safety focal points in government institutions, reflecting Ngare's dedication to safeguarding media workers.
The crash, involving an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, remains under investigation. Kenya's loss included prominent figures from media, sports, and business, underscoring the tragedy's wide-reaching impact.
