Homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have dropped investigations into the sudden death of actor Charles Ouda.
Ouda took his own life on the night of February 3 after coming home from a wrapping up party for the popular Maisha Magic series Salem where he was one of the main actors.
His family is yet to publicly give the cause of his death. We however exclusively revealed that he hanged himself using a belt at the balcony of his apartment in Westlands, Nairobi, after excusing himself to go and smoke.
Homicide detectives who took up the matter due to public interest have now ruled out any foul play in the actor’s death.
This is after interrogations with those who were present when the actor died and analysis of forensic evidence concluded that the actor indeed took his own life.
He was not suffering from any medical ailment either and neither did he get involved in an accident while at the party where he was last seen alive.
Ouda’s body is currently lying at the Chiromo mortuary where it would stay until February 14.
The conclusion of investigations by the police now means there is no objection to his final rights although it has not been established why the actor took his own life.
People close to him have however told us that apart from dealing with the pressures of public life, Ouda had relationship issues which he had revealed to his close friends and family that were eating him up.
The actor got engaged to a journalist, Ciru Muriuki, in September last year catching everyone by surprise as they had never been seen together.
Like any other couple, they moved in together. And while they showed displays of affection on social media, sources have told us that the relationship had run into deep headwinds.
In fact Ouda had notified his family on several occasions of the problems his relationship had but still chose to remain.
His family however did not want him to stay in the relationship yet he stayed in order to maintain the public image he had already created.
The problems in his relationship plus the pressures of being a celebrity and alcohol eventually took a toll on him.
On the surface, however, he displayed a life full of success.
A video of the actor’s last speech during his last event shared by his colleague, Foi Wambui, showed a jovial Ouda as he sang and danced to different tunes. While giving his speech, the actor and film director reminisced about what they had gone through, and he said:
“Some of us survived a year; some of us survived two. Some of us survived more. But as we survived, I ask us to remember one thing: we survived. We are here.”
Ouda preached about love, urging the party attendees to love each other and work hard.
“The inches we fought for, the loves we lived for, everything. I ask that we love each other as we move forward. I ask that we understand that it is no longer their industry; it is ours,” he added.
A few hours later he was dead.
Ouda is set to be cremated on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Karikor Crematorium.
In a statement, the family on Sunday said they were grateful for the support they have received.
“We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to all who have shown solidarity, love, and compassion.”
There will be a memorial on February 13, 2024, commencing at 5:30 pm at the Higher Trinity room at All Saints Cathedral.
The cortege will then depart from Chiromo Funeral Home for an overnight vigil at the family home on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
The family announced that a church service will be held at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 10:00 am.
Ouda, renowned for his noteworthy contributions to diverse film projects such as Makutano Junction, The First Grader, and Count It Out, was not only a gifted actor but also a distinguished film director and scriptwriter.
Charlie has also starred in other television shows like The Know Zone Changing Times (KTN), Higher Learning, Changes, Mali (NTV), Second Family, Crime and Justice (Showmax) and Salem (Maisha Magic).
