Nyamira artiste Henry Sagero, alias Man Pepe was fighting for his life after he allegedly ingested a suspected poisonous chemical in what his associates believe was a suicide attempt triggered by mounting marital and domestic troubles.
The dramatic incident unfolded at his Kisii town’s Daraja Mbili residence about 11am, sending shockwaves through the Gusii entertainment fraternity and prompting a frantic race to save the veteran artiste.
Etaya TV and Radio where Sagero also worked said Sagero had only moments earlier sent Kisii County Assembly Deputy Speaker Jacob Bagaka a chilling two-page letter in which he poured out his domestic frustrations and indicated that he intended to end his life.
Then came an even more disturbing message..
“Shortly after he sent me a video showing him drinking the suspected poison,” Bagaka said early Tuesday.
Bagaka said he initially did not believe Sagero would go through with the threat but quickly mobilised people near the artiste’s residence to check on him.
“Those sent quickly confirmed that he had actually carried out the threat and he wa whisked to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital for emergency treatment,” he said.
But as concern over his condition mounted, Sagero was later transferred to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu for specialised care following medical advice.
Bagaka said doctors in Kisumu had by Tuesday afternoon managed to stabilise the musician but were still examining whether any of his vital organs had suffered damage.
“The report we have at the moment is that doctors at Aga Khan have successfully stabilised him, but they are examining whether any vital organs were affected,” Bagaka told journalists outside Etaya Media.
Sagero has been a familiar voice and face on Etaya radio and television music programmes.
He is known for many songs including a hit describing marriage as hell.
Bagaka also gave a disturbing account of what happened shortly before the incident.
He said Sagero had sent his children to a shop to buy curtains, leaving him alone at home.
“When the children returned, they found that their dad had left his phone with a shopkeeper. This was unusual because he normally had his phone with him and the phone was protected by a password,” Bagaka said.
The sequence of events has raised fresh questions about what may have been troubling the popular musician in the hours leading to the incident.
According to Bagaka, Sagero’s problems appeared to have intensified after his return from Dubai, where one of his two wives lives.
Yet, despite appearing troubled, the artiste continued with his public engagements.
“He returned and even performed during the World Cleanup Day, which coincided with the inauguration of Etaya Park. Though he appeared disturbed, he did not appear like someone who wanted to kill himself,” Bagaka said.
The incident has since left colleagues, fans and friends of the celebrated Gusii musician deeply concerned as he remains under medical observation in Kisumu.
For many who saw Sagero performing and interacting with fans only recently, the dramatic turn of events has come as a shock, throwing a spotlight on the private struggles that can remain hidden behind the public image of entertainers.
Suicide has emerged to be one of the leading causes of death in the country amid efforts to address the menace.
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