Arocho’s Emotional Farewell Reveals Diblo Kaberia’s Private Battle and Lasting Legacy
Sports Updated: 06 June 2026 17:41 EAT
Veteran football commentator Fred Arocho
Veteran football commentator Fred Arocho delivered an emotional and deeply personal tribute during the final sendoff of his former workmate Diblo Kaberia at his home in Kangeta, Meru, sharing details of their friendship, Diblo’s final months and the lessons he hoped mourners would carry forward.
Arocho traced their relationship back to September 2008, describing Diblo as the person who identified his potential and guided him into professional broadcasting. He told mourners that Diblo’s influence extended beyond the microphone and remained central throughout his career.
“Tarehe 4 Septemba mwaka 2008 nilikutana na mwenzangu hewani. Hatakuwa tunafahamikana, Diblo akanieleza kwamba, ‘Baba, una sauti, una maelezo, unahitaji kufanya hii na hii.’ Diblo alikuwa mwalimu wangu katika utangazaji. Ilipofika Oktoba mwaka jana, rafiki yangu alianza kuugua na sio wengi walijua kwamba rafiki yangu alikuwa anaugua. Kwa nini? Huyu jamaa alikuwa shujaa. Huyu jamaa hakuwa mtu wa kulialia. Akakaba kinguvu kiume kuanzia Oktoba.”
According to Arocho, Diblo endured illness privately and chose not to make his suffering public. He praised those who stood close to him during treatment and singled out one neighbour for offering practical support when it mattered most.
“Ndio maana mara nyingi naongea kuhusu Mabuka. Hebu nyanyuka Mabuka. Huyu jamaa ni jirani ya Diblo. Huyu ndio mtu ambaye alikuwa akipeleka Diblo hospitalini. Jamani tumpe makofi huyu jamaa. Asante sana rafiki yangu. Na hapo Mungu atazidisha.”
The commentator also turned his tribute into a broader appeal for better welfare systems for media professionals, arguing that workers should receive support during hardship rather than only after death. He revealed that Diblo had developed complications that began with a clot in his left leg and later became more serious.
“Wiki mbili zilizopita, nilizua maneno katika mitandao na katika redio nikiongea kuhusu rafiki yangu. Rafiki yangu aliumia, mimi sitapaka paka mimi. Mimi nitasema rafiki yangu aliumia. Rafiki yangu alianza kuwa na ‘clot’ kwa mguu wake wa kushoto. Akang'ang'ana akaitibu, ‘clot’ kidogo kifua ikaanza kuleta shida… Huyu ni shujaa haifai tunamchangia 125,000.”
Arocho questioned why public generosity appeared stronger after Diblo’s passing than during his illness, saying the experience exposed painful realities about support structures available to workers facing medical emergencies.
“Haiwezi kuwa kwamba huyu jamaa wakati anaaga tunamchangia zaidi ya milioni moja na wakati anaugua tunashindwa kuchanga shilingi 125,000. Inanichoma. Sitasema mengi kwa sababu wengine hawanielewi lakini mimi si mnafiki… tumekuja kumsherehekea huyu jamaa. Mimi namsherehekea rafiki yangu. Maanake alipokuwa anaugua atanipigia simu aniambie, ‘Naumia.’”
He later narrated the moment he learned of Diblo’s death, explaining that he was in Kisumu after travelling from Uganda when he received a call informing him that tragedy had struck. Arocho described the shock and helplessness he felt after confirming the news with family members.
“Dakika 25 saa 2:00 asubuhi, Beki alinipigia simu… akaniambia amepokea simu kuna jamaa kutoka Meru wanataka namba yangu kwamba tuko na mkasa—Diblo ameaga… Wale kuna ndugu ya Diblo yule yuko hapa, alinipigia akaniambia, ‘Rocho, rafiki yako ameenda.’ Nilipiga nduru kule Kisumu sababu mimi mwenyewe pia sikuwa hapo wakati ndugu yangu anaaga.”
Arocho said he immediately began contacting colleagues and station leadership as he struggled to accept the loss. He maintained that his comments during the funeral were rooted in personal experience and conversations he had with Diblo while he was alive.
“Wakati ninapoongea, siongei tu kwa sababu ya kufurahisha yeyote, naongea kwa sababu nilisikia uzito ya rafiki langu… Nikachukua simu yangu nikampigia ndugu yangu Toldo ambaye alikuwa hewani Radio Jambo… Sauti yangu inatetemeka, nikamwambia Diblo ameenda.”
The tribute also highlighted support extended to Diblo’s family after his death. Arocho thanked Radio Jambo management and revealed that an unnamed well-wisher had committed to financing one of Diblo’s children through university.
“Nashukuru kampuni ya Radio Jambo wakiongozwa na Steve kwa kazi nzuri ambayo amefanya… Aliposikia anapiga nduru ndani ya redio kwamba Diblo ameteseka miaka 17, akanipigia simu… akaniambia, ‘Diblo wana watoto wangapi?’… Nikamwambia fees ni 216,000 shillings. Jamaa hakusita, akanitumia hiyo pesa kwa simu.”
He told mourners that the support had already been put into action and that educational expenses for the child had been settled, describing it as an example of meaningful action rather than symbolic gestures.
“Nikachukua jana nikaenda mpaka Karatina University nikalipa school fees ya yule kijana. Kuanzia sasa mpaka amalize university imelipwa… Mwisho kwa msichana, jamaa amenipigia simu usiku wa jana ana kutoka kule nje akaniitisha bill ya huyu mwanamsichana.”
Closing his remarks, Arocho thanked the people of Kangeta and everyone who had stood with Diblo’s family, urging those present to show care and support to friends while they are alive and in need.
“Nikimalizia, mimi nafurahia sana kwamba nimefika hapa… nimekutana na watu ambao walikuwa wanampenda sana huyu jamaa kwa dhati sio unafiki… Marafiki ambao waliweza kufanya kazi na rafiki yetu Diblo kwa kweli mmeona urafiki ni kusema nini… Naomba tu mahali ulipo copy and paste. Just do to your friend kama vile hawa ndugu zangu walimfanyia Diblo.”
Tags: Article Diblo Kaberia Elmago Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice Felix Makona Fred Arocho Rest In Peace Signs Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya Sports City Sports Commentary Sports Journalism
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD