Photos from Maina Olwenya's burial

Maina Olwenya laid to rest in Murang'a (Photos)

• Maina Olwenya did Voice Overs for Radio Jambo.

• Olwenya's family refuted claims that he had been murdered.

Night vigil
Maina Olwenya's Night vigil
Image: Wilfred Nyagaresi

Nairobi Half Life actor Maina Olwenya was on Saturday laid to rest at his grandfather’s home in Gacharaigu, Kangema- Murang’a county. The famous actor collapsed and died almost 2 weeks ago.

He is best known for his memorable portrayal of ‘Oti’ - the reckless & fearless leader of the gang in the 2012 Kenyan tv-series, Nairobi Half Life.

Olwenya is also remembered by the Radio Africa family as the voice-over artiste for Kiswahili radio station Radio Jambo. Olwenya also acted in Taliya and Poacher.

According to Wikipedia, Nairobi Half-Life is a 2012 Kenyan drama film directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga.

A postmortem on Olwenya's body reveal that he succumbed to Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or better known as (HCM) is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thickened.

The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. 

Before he met his sudden death, the family reveal that Olwenya who was in the company of one Ray, had come back home from taking a stroll. The two were jovial and were singing and humming songs as they held each other's hands.

"Mbaba had just come from an early promenade in the Company of Ray, they were very jovial and he was literally holding Ray’s hand and singing and humming some old Catholic tunes.. (Those of us who reminisce well will vividly recall that he was an Alter Boy at St Joseph Catholic Church and was headed to being a Priest," his family said in a statement.

The family jokingly mentioned a few of his friends saying they should explain why he didn't become a priest in the end.

The statement further added, "Shortly afterwards just after going up the stairs, while Ray was opening the door, Olwenya was about 2M away her, he fell down and collapsed on the corridor.

Some neighbors quickly tried to resuscitate him before taking him to hospital and on the way over beloved brother and friend succumbed to his death. God rest His soul."

WATCH: For the latest videos on entertainment stories

Check out the latest news here and you are welcome to join our super exclusive Mpasho Telegram group for all the latest and breaking news in entertainment. We would also like to hear from you, WhatsApp us on +254 736 944935.