Police in Nairobi are looking into the death of Mwaura Gathua, the CEO of Com Twenty One Limited. He fell from the 14th floor of Alba Apartments in Kilimani on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities are treating it as a suspected suicide for now.
Gathua ran Com Twenty One, a company that handles IT integration, surveillance systems, cybersecurity, and infrastructure work. They have worked with big government clients in Kenya, including the ICT Authority and Kenya Ports Authority. The firm is known in the local tech scene for providing solutions to both the public and private sectors.
The incident happened at the apartments along Kasuku Road. Reports say Gathua had checked into a unit there the day before and was alone. Police sources mentioned the door was locked from inside until the fall around 2 pm. They also noted some self-inflicted cuts and that he had no clothes on at the time. Detectives are still gathering evidence at the scene.
News of his death spread quickly on social media. Many people posted tributes, remembering him as a successful businessman in the ICT field.
Some shared messages and attributed his death to mental health, urging others to seek help if needed. Others raised questions, wondering if there could be more to the story given the company’s ties to top government projects. A few drew comparisons to past cases where prominent people died under unclear circumstances.
As of now, police have not released an official cause of death. The family and the company have stayed quiet too. No statements have come out from them.
This comes at a time when falls from high-rise buildings in areas like Kilimani have happened before, often ruled as suicides. But each case brings its own set of questions, especially when the person involved has a high-profile job.
Mental health experts often point out that stress can build up quietly, even for people who seem to have it all together. In Kenya, conversations about seeking support are growing, but stigma still keeps many from speaking up.
Investigators say they will look at all angles. A postmortem is expected to give more details soon. For now, the tech community in Nairobi is mourning one of its own.
Gathua’s work helped shape digital infrastructure for key institutions. Colleagues describe him as driven and knowledgeable in his field. His sudden death leaves a gap.
People online are sharing memories and photos. Some call for better awareness around mental health in the corporate world. Others just express shock.
The probe continues. Police are talking to building staff and reviewing any camera footage. They ask anyone with information to come forward.
In the end, this is a reminder of how fragile life can be. A man in his prime, leading a growing company, gone in an instant. The full story may take time to come out.
