The Media Owners Association of Kenya (MOA) has joined mourners in paying tribute to José Alberto Suárez, a senior Telemundo executive who was among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Samburu County. The association described his death as a painful loss, noting that his work in American television had also reached Kenyan audiences through content carried by local broadcasters.
Highlights
- José Alberto Suárez died in a helicopter crash in Samburu County.
- Seven people were killed in the Wednesday, August 19, 2026 accident.
- Suárez was a senior executive at Telemundo and NBC-owned stations.
- MOA said his work had indirectly connected American and Kenyan media audiences.
- He received several Emmy awards and Associated Press honours during his career.
Main Story
MOA Mourns Telemundo Executive
The Media Owners Association of Kenya has expressed condolences following the death of José Alberto Suárez, a prominent American television executive who died in a helicopter accident in Samburu County.
In a statement signed by MOA Chairperson Agnes Kalekye, the association conveyed its sympathies to Suárez’s family, colleagues and the relatives of the other six people who died in the crash.
MOA also highlighted the unexpected connection between Suárez’s career and Kenyan audiences, pointing out that some of the programmes associated with his work had been broadcast through local media stations.
A Career Spanning More Than Two Decades
Suárez built a career spanning more than 20 years within the Telemundo and NBC television network.
He previously served as president and general manager of Telemundo 33 Sacramento and Telemundo 51 Fresno, positions he held from April 2019 until February 2024.
He later returned to Florida, his home state, where he took responsibility for Telemundo television stations serving Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers-Naples.
His work also earned him several industry honours, including a Lone Star Emmy, a Suncoast Emmy, three Best Daily Newscast Emmy awards and multiple Associated Press awards.
Remembered as a Leader and Mentor
Telemundo’s Sacramento and Fresno stations also mourned Suárez, remembering him as a leader who placed strong emphasis on bringing people together.
His former colleagues described him as a mentor and advocate for the Latino community, while praising his ability to unite people around projects aimed at strengthening communities.
His career was therefore not only defined by his leadership in television but also by his involvement in community-focused initiatives.
Seven Lives Lost in Samburu
Suárez was among seven people who died after the helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday, August 19.
The sudden nature of the accident has left families, colleagues and friends mourning across different countries.
MOA extended its solidarity to everyone affected, including Suárez’s colleagues at NBCUniversal and Telemundo.
The association said the tragedy represented a profound loss and offered condolences to all families grieving the victims.
A Quiet Link Between Two Media Worlds
For Kenyan broadcasters and audiences, Suárez’s legacy extends beyond his work in the United States.
MOA noted that local stations have carried Telemundo content over the years, meaning that productions connected to his career eventually found their way into Kenyan homes.
His death has therefore prompted reflection on the often-unseen connections that exist between media industries across continents.
As investigations into the Samburu helicopter crash continue, the families of the seven victims are left to mourn a tragedy that claimed lives from different backgrounds and walks of life.
A career built across continents may end in a moment, but the stories, people and communities touched along the way can leave a lasting legacy.
