Mayienga FM station manager Festus Amimo collapsed and died inside a hotel room in Nairobi on Monday evening while in the company of his female partner, Collata Ann Ngesa, according to a police report and eyewitness accounts obtained. In the new viral video, he was seen to be jovial and took something before undressing and climbing into the bed with the woman.
The 48-year-old veteran Luhya broadcaster had checked the couple into Room 214 of the modest establishment along Muhuti Avenue shortly after 4 pm. Hotel staff told detectives the pair appeared happy and requested no disturbances. In the evening, Collata raised the alarm after Amimo suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed during an intimate moment. Reception staff rushed upstairs and found the journalist unresponsive on the bed.
Medics from a nearby private clinic arrived within twelve minutes but pronounced him dead on the spot. Preliminary examination pointed to a possible massive cardiac arrest. Police processed the scene, took statements from the visibly shaken partner and hotel workers, then moved the body to City Mortuary for a postmortem scheduled for Wednesday morning.
An exclusive video circulating on Telegram shows the man had ingested something before he could continue with the job of that day in that hotel. However, the results were not expected. He thought that the booster would work wonders for the woman who they have been seeing for some time.
Collata Ann Ngesa, 34, told investigators the two had been in a relationship for months and had met for a brief rendezvous after Amimo finished his afternoon drive show. She insisted there were no prior signs of illness and that he had complained only of slight fatigue earlier in the day.
The acting station head addressed employees in a tearful staff meeting, describing Amimo as “a mentor, brother and tireless champion of Luhya voices.” The station has since been running tribute programmes featuring archived interviews and caller memories.
KBC Managing Director Agnes Kalekye Nguna issued a brief statement expressing profound sadness and promising counselling support for staff. “Festus gave 22 years of distinguished service. His voice will continue to echo across Western Kenya,” the statement read.
Friends say the father of three had been in good spirits recently, having just completed renovations on his rural home in Khwisero ahead of Christmas. He leaves behind a wife and children who are yet to speak publicly.
Police say no foul play is suspected at this stage, but toxicology samples have been taken as standard procedure in sudden adult deaths. The family has requested that the public respect their privacy and refrain from sharing the circulating video.
As tributes pour in from listeners who grew up hearing his distinctive baritone every evening, one of Western Kenya’s most recognisable media voices has fallen silent. Funeral arrangements will be announced once postmortem results are released.
