This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
On August 18, 2019, Kikuyu Benga artiste John De’Mathew tragically passed away in an accident near Blue Post Hotel along Thika road.
Self-proclaimed prophet Victor Kanyari paid tribute to De’Mathew, sharing a heartfelt message on social media.
‘Rest in Peace Legend John De’mathew, you are among the first artist I knew growing Up. Your Songs “Nitugakena” and “Njata Yakwa” “Nduku” we my Favorite. If I was to do a wedding you were the first artist I could have booked to perform.’
He added, ‘May your Soul rest in Peace and My God comfort your family through this tough times. You will always be remembered RIP’.
Notably, Kanyari was in the spotlight three years prior for performing fake miracles using potassium permanganate, which turns purple when dissolved in water.
He used this chemical reaction ruse to convince followers that his prayers washed away mysterious diseases by asking them to step into water and witness the disease being ‘washed away’ and change the colour of water in the process.
