The tranquil hills of Kangeta in Igembe Central, Meru County, were shrouded in sorrow on Saturday, June 6, 2026, as family members, friends, colleagues, and football enthusiasts assembled to pay their last respects to seasoned radio broadcaster and cherished football commentator Paul Kimani Kaberia, fondly referred to as Diblo Kaberia or “El Mago.” The poignant burial ceremony, conducted at Njia Primary School, was filled with tears, anguish, and heartfelt eulogies as attendees grappled with the passing of the individual whose voice had become inseparable from Kenyan football commentary.
Throughout his career, Diblo animated football matches through his dynamic commentary, transforming routine games into extraordinary experiences for audiences nationwide. On this occasion, however, the microphone fell silent permanently. The event drew several of Kenya’s leading sports journalists and broadcasters, including Stephen Mukangai, Geoffrey Mwamburi, Kaka Zema, Hassan Mwana Wa Ali, and Fred Arocho, who joined hundreds of mourners in commemorating a person whose fervor and skill had etched a permanent legacy in the media landscape.
Yet amidst the eulogies and cherished recollections, one disclosure devastated those present.
Fred Arocho’s Painful Disclosure
During one of the most tearful moments of the burial, sports commentator Fred Arocho collapsed emotionally while recounting Diblo’s final days. Arocho disclosed that the deceased broadcaster urgently required KSh125,000 for a life-saving medical treatment. Tragically, despite his desperate appeal for assistance, the funds could not be secured promptly as his health deteriorated further. This distressing revelation enveloped the gathering in gloom, leaving many pondering how a man who had brought happiness to countless individuals could face such adversity in his time of need.
What intensified the sorrow was the realization that following Diblo’s passing, over KSh1 million was raised for his funeral arrangements. “The government must look after its workers. It is agonizing that now that he is no longer with us, we have collected more than KSh1 million. But when he was still alive and desperately needed just KSh125,000 for treatment, we couldn’t obtain it. That wounds me profoundly,” Arocho expressed, his voice thick with emotion. His remarks struck deep chords among the mourners, many of whom openly cried as they contemplated the cruel irony of a man receiving abundant support only after his departure.
Farewell to a Football Commentary Magician
Known as “El Mago” Spanish for “The Magician” Diblo garnered appreciation for his remarkable talent for creating vivid imagery through words. His energetic delivery, contagious passion, and profound love for football established him as one of Kenya’s most revered sports commentators. Speaker after speaker recalled him as a committed professional, a natural storyteller, and a modest individual whose voice brought together football supporters from diverse backgrounds.
As his coffin was interred, emotions reached their peak. Tears flowed freely as those who loved him witnessed the conclusion of his life’s journey.
Diblo Kaberia Fought A Battle Until the End
Diblo departed on the morning of May 24, 2026, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital. He had been contending with illness for several months, bearing discomfort and uncertainty while holding onto hope for recovery. Individuals close to him report that he maintained optimism despite his deteriorating health. Nevertheless, the operation that might have offered him another chance at survival never occurred because the necessary funds could not be obtained in a timely manner.
He passed away at the age of 54. As the sun set on Kangeta and mourners gradually departed, one distressing question remained unanswered: Could more have been done to rescue the man whose voice brought such happiness to so many? For numerous individuals, Diblo Kaberia’s narrative represents not only a tale of exceptional skill and heritage but also a sorrowful lesson about the significance of supporting people when they require assistance most – before it becomes too late.