Chilling two-page letter, disturbing video precede dramatic rescue as marital troubles plunge veteran artiste into crisis
Gusii music star Henry Sagero, popularly known as Man Pepe, was yesterday fighting for his life after allegedly ingesting a suspected poisonous chemical, in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the region's entertainment fraternity.
The dramatic incident unfolded at about 11am at his Daraja Mbili residence in Kisii, shortly after the veteran musician allegedly sent a chilling two-page letter detailing his domestic frustrations and indicating that he intended to take his own life.
Then came a disturbing video.
According to Kisii County Assembly Deputy Speaker Jacob Bagaka, Sagero sent him a video shortly after the letter, apparently showing himself drinking the suspected poison.
“Shortly after, he sent me a video showing him drinking the suspected poison,” Bagaka said.
The message triggered a frantic rescue operation as friends and associates raced to the musician's residence.
Bagaka said he initially believed the artiste might not act on the threat but quickly mobilised people near Sagero's home to establish what was happening.
They were met with a grim discovery.
Sagero had allegedly carried out the threat and was rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
He was later transferred to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu for specialised medical care.
By Wednesday afternoon, Bagaka said, doctors had managed to stabilise the musician but were still assessing whether the suspected poisoning had caused damage to any of his vital organs.
“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 said.
THE CHILLING HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT
The events leading to the suspected suicide attempt have raised disturbing questions about what was happening behind the scenes in the musician's private life.
Bagaka said Sagero had sent his children to a nearby shop to buy curtains, leaving him alone at home.
When the children returned, they reportedly discovered that their father had left his mobile 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 bizarre sequence of events has deepened concerns over the state of mind of the popular musician in the hours before he allegedly ingested the chemical.
According to Bagaka, Sagero's domestic troubles appeared to have intensified following his return from Dubai, where one of his two wives lives.
But despite his apparent difficulties, the musician continued making public appearances.
HE PERFORMED HOURS BEFORE THE DRAMA
Sagero had recently performed during World Cleanup Day, coinciding with the inauguration of Etaya Park.
Bagaka said the musician appeared troubled but gave no obvious indication that he was contemplating suicide.
“Though he appeared disturbed, he did not appear like someone who wanted to kill himself,” Bagaka said.
The dramatic turn of events has left Sagero's colleagues, friends and thousands of fans in shock.
For years, the veteran artiste has been a familiar voice and face on Etaya TV and Radio's music programmes and is known for a string of Gusii hits, including a song portraying marriage as hell.
His sudden hospitalisation has now thrown the spotlight on the private battles that can remain hidden behind the glamour and applause of public life.
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