Police Probe Journalist’s Mysterious Death at Mirema Bar

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) homicide unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of journalist Amos Maina, who collapsed at a bar in Mirema, Roysambu on Saturday.

Maina, 32, reportedly fell ill moments after consuming an unknown substance shortly after arriving at the establishment.

According to his wife, Regina Wanjiru, he left their home at around 4:30 pm to visit the bar, a place he frequented.

She was later informed that he had collapsed and could not be revived.

“When I arrived, I found they had sat him on a chair, but he was unresponsive. One shoe was off, and his eyes were shut like he was asleep,” she told KTN, recounting the shock of finding her husband motionless, despite leaving home in good health.

A postmortem conducted at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) indicated poisoning as the likely cause of death.

The autopsy report cited acute hemorrhagic gastritis, a severe inflammation of the stomach lining that can lead to internal bleeding, as the condition that led to Maina’s death.

While excessive alcohol consumption is a known risk factor, the condition may also be triggered by stress or certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or the presence of blood in stool.

Treatment typically focuses on stabilising the patient, addressing underlying causes, and reducing stomach acidity.

Maina’s brother, Peter Maina, who also visited the scene, described finding him slumped on a table.

“His head rested on the table, and his hands were hanging loosely by the sides. I tried to shake him awake, but he was unresponsive. I poured water on him, and he still didn’t respond,” he said.

The bar owner described Maina as a regular customer.

Maina’s death comes amid several recent deaths of journalists in Kenya under unclear circumstances.

In March 2025, CGTN journalist Nick Mudimba collapsed at home, shortly after KBC’s Fredrick Parsayo died.

Other journalists who have recently died include former NTV reporter Rita Tinina in March 2024 and KTN journalist Shadrack Mitty in May 2024.