This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
December 28, 2019, marked the end of a dark year for the Kenyan showbiz industry, with the loss of several prominent figures.
Among those who left us in 2019 were Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, musician De Mathew, and rapper Chris Kantai.
Bob Collymore, the CEO of Safaricom, passed away on July 1, 2019, after a long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia cancer. He was 61 years old.
Collymore was a key figure in the Kenyan music industry, having supported local artists through various initiatives such as Twaweza, Safaricom Jazz, and Safaricom Live.
His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from the music industry, with Genge King Jua Cali saying in a previous interview, 'Collymore has been very supportive of Kenyan music since he joined Safaricom. His journey, he has been with us all through. During Safaricom Live, he would travel to wherever the event was just to support us. His support was not just in the boardroom. He has been for the industry.'
De Mathew, a popular musician, died on August 19, 2019, after being involved in a road accident near Blue Post Hotel, along Thika Road.
Chris Kantai, a legendary rapper, passed away on February 27, 2019, while undergoing treatment at St Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani.
His death was a huge blow to the music industry, with many tributes pouring in from his fans and fellow artists.
