Festus Amimo’s pregnant wife cried uncontrollably at their rural home in Awasi, Kisumu, when Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga made an emotional condolence visit following the sudden death of the veteran KBC Mayienga FM boss, who collapsed in a Nairobi hotel room while in the company of a junior female colleague for a night out. Festus Amimo’s death is alleged to have been caused by bedroom enhancement drugs, also called blue pills, which caused the cardiac arrest.
The governor arrived at the Amimo homestead with several county officials. She found the widow, who is several months pregnant with the couple’s fourth child, surrounded by relatives and church elders.
Photographs circulating on social media show Wanga holding the grieving woman as she wept bitterly on the governor’s shoulder, while neighbours wailed in the background.
Governor Wanga later addressed journalists outside the homestead, describing Amimo as “a son of the soil who used his voice to uplift Luo culture and language for over two decades.” “This is not the time for rumours or judgement. It is time to stand with the family,” she said.
New details from the ongoing investigation reveal that the 48-year-old broadcaster had checked into a South C lodging with Collata Ann Ngesa, a 29-year-old junior producer at KBC’s central news desk, on Monday afternoon.
According to the occurrence book at Capitol Hill Police Station, the pair had been in the room for less than three hours when Ngesa raised the alarm at 6:47 pm, screaming that Amimo had suddenly clutched his chest and fallen unconscious.
Hotel CCTV reviewed by detectives shows the two arriving together in Amimo’s Toyota Prado at 4:12 pm and heading straight to Room 214. Staff say the journalist appeared jovial and even greeted the receptionist by name.
Preliminary medical findings shared with investigators suggest death resulted from cardiac arrest, possibly triggered by complications linked to sexual enhancement medication, commonly known as “blue pills.” Empty blister packs were recovered from the bedside table.
Ngesa recorded a detailed statement Tuesday evening and was released on police bail, as she is considered a key witness rather than a suspect. Sources at KBC headquarters say she has been placed on compulsory leave pending internal disciplinary processes. Colleagues describe her as a quiet, hard-working single mother who joined the corporation in 2021.
Amimo’s body remains at City Mortuary awaiting a postmortem scheduled for Thursday morning. The family, led by his elder brother Charles, has appealed for privacy and urged the public to stop circulating unverified videos and images. Funeral plans will be announced once the postmortem report is released.
As Homa Bay mourns one of its most recognisable voices, the tragic circumstances serve as a poignant example of the silent health battles many middle-aged men face, even those who appear strong on air.
