In 2021, Kenyans endured tough times but it got tougher and emotional when music fans lost their favourite entertainers.
It is unfortunate that big names were lost in the music industry including notable Kikuyu musicians whose music brought people together.
We danced, laughed, cried, and sang along to their tracks as we celebrated their achievements but they left us unexpectedly.
Here is a list of top Kikuyu musicians who passed away in 2021 as sampled by K24 Digital;
Wanjaro Junior
News of the passing on of Kikuyu musician Irungu Wanjaro alias Wanjaro Junior resurfaced in July where he is reported to have committed suicide.
Wanjaro committed suicide by jumping into River Sagana over failure to pay a ksh700,000 debt.
The musician had left behind a suicide note telling his family that they would get his lifeless body in River Sagana.
“When I go missing, don’t waste a lot of time looking for me. My body will be in Sagana River,” the message he left behind read in part.
The musician was the only surviving child of Wanjaro family. One of the his most popular songs was Wendo ni Mugeria.
His car was found abandoned on River Sagana bridge and the body was retrieved from Masinga dam
Esther Wanjiku
The gospel singer passed away on Sunday, October 3, while receiving treatment at Kiambu General Hospital.
The singer of the Akurino doctrine was popular for her hit song ‘Ndirira Githithi Ukenete’
Bishop Mercy Waciama
Bishop Mercy Waciama succumbed to COVID-19 complications on March 16, 2021, just a few days after she was hospitalised.
Waciama was eulogised by Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina as a great supportive friend and a determined servant of God.
She was popular for her songs; ‘Waciama’ and ‘Shimei’ among others.
Gacheru Wamaitu
Gacheru’s death was first reported by Kameme FM on Tuesday, March 6.
The musician popularly known for his song Mwendwa wakwa marirũ, passed away at the age of 59 while receiving treatment at Kenyatta hospital for an undisclosed disease.
Mureithi John Walker
His death was announced by popular media personality Jeff Kuria in March.
Mureithi was popular for his hit songs Nyau iriaga mbia, Uhiki wi Murio and Andu Mathimwo.
Mighty Salim
Mugithi artiste who’s real name is Timothy Njuguna died on January 24, 2021.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his younger sister Sarafina Salim who posted on her social media accounts.
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart. Rest well my brother Njuguna,” Sarafina wrote.
Mighty was well-known for his style of music one-man-guitar and hit songs including ‘Jira ndukadiga‘ (Tell me you won’t leave me), ‘Kana Gakwa’ (My Child) among others.
He passed on just a day after hosting the fifth anniversary of his late elder brother Paul Mwangi alias Salim Junior who died on January 23, 2016, after a short illness.
source k24