NAIROBI, Kenya — CCTV footage has shed new light on the final hours of Standard Group journalist Amos Harun Maina, who collapsed and died at a bar in Mirema, Nairobi, on November 16.
The disturbing footage, obtained by KTN, is now a key piece of evidence in a homicide probe being led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
A post-mortem report concluded that Maina died after consuming a poisonous substance, prompting investigators to examine whether he was deliberately drugged.
Detectives are awaiting a toxicology analysis expected next week, which will determine the exact substance ingested and whether it was self-administered or introduced by another party.
Footage shows Maina entering the bar at 4:18 p.m., heading straight to a table where a man and woman were seated. After greeting them, he moved to another table and later interacted with multiple patrons.
At 4:30 p.m., he joined another group of revellers for a drink. Twenty minutes later, a woman approached his table; the two spoke briefly before he moved back to his drink.
The journalist was later seen playing pool. At 5:05 p.m., he returned to his table, sipped his drink, then went back to the pool area. At 5:08 p.m., another woman joined him, followed by two additional interactions with women before he eventually returned to his table.
The evening progressed without incident until 7:47 p.m., when Maina ordered another drink. The waitress who served him sat beside him, and moments later, a second woman joined the table.
At 7:56 p.m., both women left. Minutes later, Maina—who appeared jovial earlier—suddenly slumped forward and appeared to doze off. He remained motionless at the table for nearly an hour.
At 9:22 p.m., Maina’s head collapsed backwards in what investigators believe was the moment he died. Staff attempted to reposition him on the table before realising he was unresponsive.
His brother arrived at 10:49 p.m., attempted to wake him, and discovered that Maina had passed away.
Detectives are now scrutinising the interactions between Maina and the individuals seen with him in the footage. The women who sat with him, as well as the bar staff present that evening, are expected to be questioned further.
Police sources say the toxicology report will be crucial in determining whether Maina was poisoned deliberately — a line of inquiry investigators are treating with urgency.
Maina’s death has shocked the Kenyan media fraternity, with colleagues describing him as a vibrant and dedicated reporter whose life was cut short under suspicious circumstances.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.
A comprehensive toxicology report is expected next week, which will guide the next phase of the DCI probe.
