Nyamira County, Kenya – A cloud of mystery and concern has descended upon Nyamira township following the death of 78-year-old retired teacher Saul Mokua, whose body was discovered Tuesday morning in a lodging under unclear circumstances.
Mokua, a respected elder from Bosamaro Chache location, was last seen alive on Monday evening when he checked into the infamous Club78 lodging in Nyabite Market. Witnesses report he was accompanied by a middle-aged woman whose identity remains unknown.
According to Township Sub-location Chief Johnson Manyara, the deceased was found lying motionless on a bed with a packet of what appeared to be sex-enhancing pills placed nearby.
“We recovered tablets suspected to be sex-boosters next to the body. It is believed he may have taken an overdose, but investigations are still ongoing,” Chief Manyara told reporters.
Family members have confirmed that Mokua had a long history of high blood pressure, sparking concerns that the combination of underlying medical conditions and possible drug use may have contributed to his sudden death.
The woman seen with Mokua has not been traced, and authorities are now treating her as a person of interest in the investigation.
This incident has also reignited fierce debate around Club78, a lodging establishment that has long faced criticism for lax standards and questionable clientele. In late 2024, Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba vowed to shut the facility down after a minor was discovered there with a boda boda rider. Despite that pledge, the business remains open and continues to raise red flags among residents.
Mokua’s body has been transferred to Kinara Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, police have launched a full investigation into the matter, urging anyone with information to come forward.
As the community mourns the tragic and controversial end to a man once known for educating generations, questions loom over the regulation of hospitality establishments and the hidden risks facing the elderly.