This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
On May 17, 2020, Nairobi News reported on a string of sudden deaths that have hit prominent families in Kenya, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, tears, and controversy.
One of the most shocking cases was that of Fidel Odinga, the 45-year-old son of politician Raila Amollo Odinga, who was found dead in his bedroom in 2015. The cause of his death remains unknown to date.
Another high-profile case was that of John Macharia, the son of media mogul SK Macharia, who died suddenly in 2018. Police later confirmed that he was speeding in his 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S when he lost control and crashed along the Southern bypass in Nairobi.
More recently, Tecra Muigai, the daughter of Keroche Breweries owners Joseph and Tabitha Karanja, succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Nairobi. Doctors say the injuries are consistent with a fall, and police have arrested her elderly boyfriend Omar Lali to assist with investigations.
Other cases include the death of Joseph Nyakundi, who was shot and killed by his father, prominent lawyer Assa, in 2019. The incident happened inside the lawyer's car, and police insist that Assa murdered his son after a brawl.
Lastly, Githae Kiereini, the 42-year-old son of billionaire businessman Jeremiah Kiereini, was found dead at his Nairobi home in 2017. His body had no visible injuries, and police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
