This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
On Saturday morning, police in Kisii County discovered the lifeless body of Peter Magara, a Jubilee Party strategist who played a pivotal role in President Uhuru Kenyatta's 2017 election victory.
Magara, who was part of President Kenyatta's sister Kristiana Pratt's campaign team in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, had checked into the Magharibi hotel with his wife, Jane Nyambura Magara, on Thursday evening.
However, on Friday, Magara began exhibiting unusual behavior, which his wife described as looking 'disturbed.'
According to Jane Nyambura Magara, her husband stepped out of the hotel at night but was unable to start his car engine. He later returned to the room but left again without her noticing.
Magara had shown signs of stress earlier in the week and had sought medication at a private hospital in Kisii with his wife.
Kisii County police boss Martin Kibet confirmed the incident, stating that the family had tried to restrain Magara, who was exhibiting unusual behavior for two days before his body was recovered on Saturday morning.
Initial inquiries suggest that Magara might have developed a psychiatric problem, although the police are still investigating the matter.
Magara was a key figure in the Gusii Professionals lobby group, which comprised of Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i and Health PS Susan Mochache, who mobilized votes for President Kenyatta in the 2017 election.
He is survived by his widow and two children who were in Nairobi at the time of his death.
Magara also worked as the Chief Engineer at Fair Mount Hotels-Nanyuki.
