This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
On Saturday, musician John DeMathew will be laid to rest at his home in Gatanga, Murang'a county, in a funeral service expected to be dominated by Central Kenya politics.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, and Raila Odinga are among the dignitaries expected to attend the burial, which is a testament to DeMathew's influence in the Mt Kenya region.
DeMathew, a renowned musician from the region, was known for using his music to whip up political emotions and give direction on who to vote for.
According to sources, the funeral committee, led by former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and former Thika County Council Chairman Francis Muheria, settled on Saturday as the burial date after a request from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
DeMathew died on Sunday night after his vehicle rammed a trailer while he was driving home from a Thika hotel.
DeMathew was born in Gathiruini, Gatanga Constituency, and started composing songs while in class. He was popularly known as Baba Shiko and derived his stage name from his first name John and his father's name Mathew.
DeMathew celebrated 30 years of music in 2015 at the Thika Stadium, in a colourful event attended by then Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. He was also charged with hate speech in 2012 for lyrics deemed inciting by the state.
