Popular Kikuyu Benga artist John Ng’ang’a famously known as John DeMathew perished in a road c***h at Blue Post on Sunday evening.
The musician who was popular for his hit ‘My dear Nduku’ was pronounced d**d at the Thika Nursing Home following the a******t in Thika.
DeMathew was on his way from a Harambee in support of fellow musician Peter Kigia when his car rammed into a lorry near Blue Post Hotel. He was alone in the car.
Kenyan politicians and musicians have taken to social media to mourn the sudden demise of the Kikuyu benga maestro.
Deputy President William Ruto sent his condolences to the family and friends of the late benga musician through a tweet. Ruto said that DeMathew’s lyrics carried undertones of societal ills.
“De Mathew was a great composer of Kikuyu lyrics, which carried undertones of societal ills, including a********m and promoting peace and cohesion in society,” Ruto tweeted.
Musician and Member of Parliament for Starehe Charles Njagua said that DeMathew had a great influence in his career.
“While growing up, I listened a lot to John DeMathew. His music inspired me greatly to become the musician I am today. I am deeply saddened by his untimely demise following a tragic road a******t today… May His soul rest well in eternal peace,” Jaguar tweeted.
The Performance Rights Association of Kenya (PRISK) and Nairobi County Women representative Esther Passaris also mourned the maestro Kikuyu benga musician in tweets. Kenyans at large have shared memories they had with DeMathew following his untimely d***h.
According to enthusiasts of the genre, the musician’s illustrious career is only comparable to that of the late Joseph Kamaru. He is reported to have released 50 albums during his lifetime most of which centred on the issues facing his people at the time.
On Saturday, he had performed in a club, Tracc Palace, which would be his last.
DeMathew at one time featured Murang’a Women Rep Sabina Chege in his hit song Njata Yakwa. Sabina was a renowned radio personality who addressed social issues on vernacular stations with the latest being Kameme FM which is owned by the Uhuru Kenyatta family under the Mediamax fraternity.
Kenya as a country we have indeed s******d a major b**w by loosing one of the best musicians to ever picked up a microphone to entertain us. Someone please tell Sabina Joy that everything is going to be okay, we are also in mourning with her.
It is well. I pray he indeed rest in peace.
Great loss to the music industry. RIP
And just like that, a Kikuyu legend has left us. Why are the greats leaving us all over a sudden!
Rest in Peace king!
Very sad indeed
I remember I learnt about John Demathew’s sudden d***h on Monday morning, through my wife. She informed my by saying,”Your friend d**d yesterday night through a road a******t.”. I asked her,”Which friend?” She told me,”John Demathew of course!” she answered as she showed me the picture John Demathew in Facebook. I didn’t believe her. I dismissed her by saying,”These are the usual lies of Facebook”. But when I switched on the TV, I saw the bitter truth and the sad breaking news. John Demathew had d**d on Sunday night through a road a******t. I was quiet as tears sorrow ran down my face. My role model and favorite singer was no more. So painful and unbelievable to loose an icon like John Demathew. RIP Baba Shiku.