This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Kenya: Music Legend John De'Mathew's Tragic Death Echoes His Own Warning ¶
Condolences have been pouring in for Kikuyu Benga musician John De'Mathew, who died in a road accident near Thika Town on Sunday night, August 18, 2019.
De'Mathew, who was the chairman of the newly launched Tamco Sacco, was returning home from a fundraiser at Metro Fill Bar in Thika Town when he met his death. The funds drive had been organised to help offset medical expenses for his fellow musician Peter Kigia's son.
His death echoes a warning in perhaps his most popular song, Peris Nduku, released in 1987. In the song, De'Mathew narrates how, with his imaginary lover, they were involved in a fatal crash as they went to visit his parents in Gatanga.
"Vehicles are unreliable and they do end lives in tragic crashes," De'Mathew sang in Peris Nduku, a prophecy that eerily mirrors his own tragic fate.
De'Mathew's body is lying at the Kenyatta University Funeral Home where a postmortem was done on Tuesday. He will be buried on Saturday at his Mukurwe Village in Gatanga, Murang'a County.
Speaking to the Nation on Tuesday, fellow Kikuyu musician Kamande wa Kioi expressed sorrow at having lost a close friend and fellow singer. "We are lost for words following his untimely death, as we had closely worked together over the years," he said.
