Case 2: A Night That Turned Tragic
Simbano, 55, was a prominent club and hotel owner in Kilimani. Known for his business acumen and vibrant nightlife ventures. He was also a married man with two children. On November 24, 2024, two women appeared at a Nairobi police station, visibly distressed. They reported that a man who was their companion had collapsed in a hotel room.
The police went to the scene and found him lying down naked, with frothy fluid oozing from his nose and from his mouth. He had no visible external injuries.
It later became clear that the man was Simbano himself. He had booked a room and invited the two women to join him. During the encounter, he suddenly complained of a severe headache, jumped out of the bed, started convulsing on the floor and lost consciousness. Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.
An autopsy determined that Simbano had suffered a haemorrhagic stroke. This is bleeding in the brain as a result of a ruptured blood vessel. Samples were later taken for toxicology analysis and the results revealed the presence of sildenafil in his system, leading investigators to conclude that he may have consumed the drug to enhance his performance without understanding the associated risks.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction( ED)
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Though often seen as a natural part of aging, ED can be symptomatic of underlying health issues. It may be caused by Non Communicable Diseases( NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease and other conditions like hormonal and neurological disorders. Additionally, anxiety and depression can cause ED as well as other factors as heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and obesity.
The psychological toll of ED can be profound. Many men experience feelings of inadequacy, shame, and embarrassment, which often prevent them from seeking professional help. Instead, some covertly resort to over-the-counter or unregulated remedies- frequently without medical consultation, leading to unnecessary fatalities.
The History and Science of Sexual Performance Enhancers
Sexual performance enhancing remedies have a rich history. Throughout history, many remedies have been used all over the world with a belief that they are capable of boosting libido and vitality.
Ancient Egyptians used garlic and onions. In medieval Europe, oysters and truffles were famed aphrodisiacs. In East Africa, traditional herbs like Mulondo( Uganda) and Mukombero( Western Kenya) have long been used for their supposed sexual enhancement properties. Other local communities have not been left behind either.
Despite their cultural significance, most of these remedies lack rigorous scientific backing. Some pose health risks when consumed in excessive or unknown quantities- especially when combined with alcohol or synthetic additives, as is done by shrewd businessmen / traditional healers.
The modern era of sexual enhancement was
What began as a solution for a medical condition soon became widely used for performance enhancement. Men without diagnosed Erectile Dysfunction began taking these drugs to boost confidence, prolong performance, offset alcohol-induced dysfunction and reduce anxiety during casual encounters. This saw even young men and women misusing these drugs. revolutionized in the 1990s when scientists at Pfizer, while researching treatments for angina( chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart), discovered that sildenafil citrate had an unexpected and peculiar side effect: it triggered firm erections.
This serendipitous discovery led to the birth of Viagra, which was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration( FDA) in 1998 as the first oral medication for erectile dysfunction. The response was overwhelming- over 7.5 million prescriptions were issued in the U. S. in its first year alone.
Following its success, other drugs entered the market including Tadalafil( Cialis), with longer duration of action; Vardenafil( Levitra), with faster onset in some users; and Avanafil( Stendra), with fewer side effects and quicker action, among many others.
The Shift from Treatment to Enhancement
What began as a solution for a medical condition soon became widely used for performance enhancement. Men without diagnosed ED began taking these drugs to boost confidence, prolong performance, offset alcohol-induced dysfunction and reduce anxiety during casual encounters. This saw even young men and women misusing these drugs.
As a result of this shift, came unintended consequences. Misuse of these medications- especially by individuals with undiagnosed cardiovascular issues- has resulted in cases of medical emergencies and many fatalities.
Documented Fatalities and Global Trends
In Kenya, media reports have highlighted several fatal incidents:
In July 2021, as reported by The Star Newspaper, a 50-year-old man died in a Murang’ a guesthouse after consuming Vega 100( a brand of sildenafil). His female companion reported that she noted his sudden change in condition, leading to his death.
In Homa Bay County( January 2022), Citizen Digital reported of a 55-year-old man who collapsed during a private encounter. He had earlier booked a room alone after which he was joined by a woman.
In Migori( December 2020) The Standard Newspaper reported of a 59-year-old man who died after taking an enhancement drug in preparation for a rendezvous that was later cancelled after the woman failed to show up. Globally, similar stories have emerged:
In Dubai, the Khaleej Times( Aug 2017)
58 MAL67 / 25 ISSUE