This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
December 28, 2019, marked a significant shift in the career of K24 news anchor Erick Njoka, who has taken a break from his part-time job as a mortician to concentrate on his journalism career.
For years, Njoka worked as an undertaker at Mukoe Funeral Home in Githunguri, Kiambu County, a family business that has been in operation for 16 years. His late father, a former nominated Member of Parliament, had trained him to be a mortician.
However, Njoka's passion for journalism led him to pursue a career in the field. He joined Catholic University of East Africa to study journalism and eventually landed a job in mainstream media.
Despite his decision to focus on journalism, Njoka still helps out at the morgue whenever he is called upon. 'I took a break from the morgue business to focus on my career as a journalist but I still carry out my duties as an assistant and/or attendant when need be,' he said.
His unique profession was first revealed in October 2018, when he was featured on his colleague Joab Mwaura's feature segment Mgaaga na Upwa.
