Down the memory lane of the sudden tragic deaths in the showbiz industry

                             Former OMO pick a box host Regina Mutoko

 

As detectives try to piece together the last moments before the shocking death of Regina Mutoko at her Kileleshwa residence, Pulse's ANJELLAH OWINO follows the matter keenly as she recalls other tragically sudden endings the showbiz industry has witnessed in past years

She was found dead in her bathroom in a pool of vomit. A half-eaten meat pie was discovered in proximity.

Just what caused the death of Regina Mutoko, one of the most humble and soft-spoken daughters of the industry who chose to live a quiet life even with her early exposure to showbiz life?

Initially reported to be an accidental fall. A postmortem examination revealed that she suffered deep vein thrombosis after a blood clot in her lung and right leg.

Regina, who happens to be Caroline Mutoko’s sister and who was the ICT and Multimedia Director at United States International University was found dead in her house at Deluxe Plaza Apartments in Kileleshwa on Saturday.

The burial of the late Regina Mutoko is slated for September 19, at her parents ancestral Machakos home.

Her remains will be laid to rest in Mukaa District, Kiima Kiu Location today after a requiem mass held yesterday at The Holy Family Basilica.

The tragedy evokes memories of other shocking deaths the entertainment industry has witnessed in the past. Even though their nature may be different, the sudden manner in which these stars were pulled away is just as sad:

Lady S

Born as Sharon Wangwe, Lady S broke into the scene in 2001 and took her final bow in September 2007. She had plans to launch an album and together with Choku and Rat-a-tat, was part of the Calif Angels trio. She also had initiated plans to be involved in charity projects before she met her death when she was only 24 years old. She was buried in Butonge village in Sirisia.

Angela Chibalonza

A week after Lady S passed on, the entertainment industry lost another songbird. Angela died a week before the planned launch of her seventh album Nimekutana na Yesu. She was born in Congo then relocated to Kenya where she successfully launched her singing career.

She died on September 22, 2007 with her driver Kennedy Aluoch and vocalist Nimrod Makori in a road accident on the Naivasha-Nairobi highway. They were from a performance at Egerton University in Njoro.

Wicki-Mosh

His was a case of hit-and-run on Thika road. He was admitted to ICU. Real name Wycliffe Omondi, he died when he was 25 years old. He is popularly known for the song Atoti, in which he featured Gidi Gidi.

G-Wiji

The rapper died in a hit-and-run accident at Kasarani on April 4 this year. His songs, which were mainly about societal issues included Pesa, Pombe, Siasa na Wanawake. He was a part of Mashifta, a duo that was part of Ukoo Flani Mau Mau.

Poxy Presha

He will be remembered as among the pioneers of the Kenyan rap. Prechard Puoka Olang, his real name, died at St Mary’s Hospital in Lang’ata on October 14 in 2005 after succumbing to tuberculosis. He was 34 years old.

Drygin and Frakaz

The two died in 2008 under mysterious circumstances. Word on the street was that the death had to do with alcohol and drug abuse. Frakaz died when one of his lungs collapsed.

Sarah Wambui Kabiru

The NTV reporter was found dead at her residence in Umoja estate on May 1, 2011. Her husband, Moses Dola, faced murder charges after allegations that he strangled her to death surfaced. Her neck was swollen when police broke into their home and found her dead on the bed. She left behind a son.

Ruhila Adatia

The beautiful East FM radio presenter was six months pregnant when gunmen ended her life during the terror attack at Westgate shopping mall on September 21, last year. After being shot, she was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital for treatment but she died. She was 31 years old, had been married to Ketan Sood for nearly two years and the couple was expecting their first child.

Mighty King Kong

Sadly, Paul Otieno Imbaya breathed his last on Christmas Day of 2007. He was 34. Some reports have it that he was poisoned. He had drank a soda and when two of his friends found him at a Kengeles - he could not speak. He was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He left behind his wife and a child.

E-Sir

Eulogised to date as Kenya’s Tupac, E-sir (real name Issah Mmari) died on March 16 in 2003 in a road accident on a Sunday morning. He was with friends among them musician Nameless who he had performed with the previous night at Club Dimples in Nakuru.

He was rushed to Pine Breeze Hospital in Nakuru for treatment. One of his other friends died while Nameless escaped death with a fractured arm.

K-Rupt

He was travelling to Nakuru for a performance when carjackers boarded a matatu he was in. The driver was forced to drive to Karuga (off road). K-Rupt (real name Carlton Juma) is believed to have argued with them and as a result, was shot to death and his body dumped in Laikipia Forest. He was to perform in South Africa in a few months. That was on November 29 in 2003.