This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
September 11, 1987, marked a tragic day in the life of reggae music when Jamaican legend Peter Tosh was brutally murdered at his home in Kingston, Jamaica. Thirty-two years later, his fans in Kenya and around the world continue to celebrate his life and music.
Born on October 19, 1944, Tosh rose to fame in 1977 as a member of the Wailers, alongside the legendary Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. His unique voice and style resonated with people globally, and he became a devout follower of the Rastafarian movement, which believes Haile Selassie, the former emperor of Ethiopia, was an embodiment of God or a messenger of God.
On the day of his death, Tosh had just returned from the United States and was at home in St. Andrews, a suburb of Kingston, when three armed men arrived on motorcycles and shot him and six others present after they refused to give up their money. Tosh died of severe gunshot wounds on his way to the hospital.
Today, Kenyans on Twitter shared sweet messages of how they remember him, declaring him a legend and sharing some of his famous quotes from his songs. His music continues to inspire and uplift people around the world, and his legacy lives on through his timeless reggae tunes.
