Searching Obituary Archives
Looking for a Past Obituary? Your Guide to Searching Archives in Kenya
We have all been there. You are trying to remember the exact date a relative passed away for a legal document. Or perhaps you are tracing your family tree and need to find the death announcement of a grandparent.
You think, “I’ll just Google it.” But when you type in the name, you find… nothing. Or maybe a broken link.
In Kenya, finding a past obituary is surprisingly difficult. Unlike in the West where records are often digitized, our history is mostly locked away in physical newspapers or expiring digital links.
If you are on the hunt for a past announcement, here is a practical guide on where to look and how we are fixing this problem for the future.
Method 1: The Google Search Hacks
Before you go to a library, try these specific search tricks. Google indexes better than most newspaper websites do themselves.
- The Site Search: Type the name plus the specific newspaper site.
- Example:
site:nation.africa "John Kamau" or site:standardmedia.co.ke "Obituary John Kamau"
- Example:
- The Image Search: sometimes the text isn’t indexed, but the photo of the newspaper page is. Click the Images tab on Google and look for scanned newspaper clippings.
Method 2: The Newspaper E-Paper Archives (Paid)
Both The Daily Nation and The Standard have digital archives, but they are often behind a paywall.
- Nation.Africa: They have an extensive e-paper section. You may need to buy a subscription to access “back issues”.
- The Standard: Similar to Nation, they offer access to past editions digitally.
- The Challenge: You often need to know the exact date (or at least the month) to find the right file. Searching by name inside a PDF archive is not always possible.
Method 3: The Physical Archives (The Hard Way)
If the death happened before the digital era (pre-2010s) or wasn’t published online, you have to go analog.
- McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi: They hold physical copies of Kenyan newspapers dating back decades. You will need to physically visit and flip through the dusty bound volumes.
- Kenya National Library Services (KNLS): Major branches often keep newspaper archives.
Why Memories Deserve More Than Paper
We all know the feeling of holding onto a yellowing newspaper clipping. It is tucked away in a Bible or a drawer, a precious physical record of a life well-lived.
But paper is fragile. Over time, ink fades, pages tear, and in the movement of life, these physical tokens can easily be misplaced. It is heartbreaking to realize that the only public record of someone you loved has faded away with time.
This is why we built rip.ke. Not just to announce a death, but to preserve a life.
A Permanent Home for Their Story
We believe that a loved one’s memory shouldn’t have an expiration date.
rip.ke is designed to be a sanctuary for these stories, a place where they are safe from the wear and tear of time.
- A Legacy That Lasts: Unlike a newspaper that is read once, a digital tribute is a permanent mark. It ensures their name remains searchable and celebrated for generations to come, whether it’s 10, 20, or 50 years from now.
- Connecting the Family: Grief knows no borders. A digital home ensures that relatives in the diaspora can visit, read, and feel connected without needing a subscription or a physical copy.
- It’s Never Too Late: Did you know you can honor someone who passed away years ago? You can create a profile today to ensure their story is finally recorded in a place where it won’t get lost.
Preserve their story today. If you are struggling to find an old obituary, you can help the next generation avoid that pain. Create a permanent digital memorial for them on rip.ke today, and give their memory a home that will never fade.
