Shalkido: A Promising Talent, a Fall From Grace, a Fundraiser, and a Shocking Death
Shalkido: A promising talent, a fall from grace, a fundraiser and a shocking death — Kenya’s entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Gengetone artist Kelvin Mburu Kinyanjui, better known as Shalkido, who died after a tragic motorcycle accident on Thika Road.
Tragic Accident and Final Moments
The accident occurred on the morning of Sunday, October 5, between Githurai and Roysambu, as the artist left a night event in Thika. First responders found him severely injured by the roadside and rushed him to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where he was admitted to the ICU.
Comedian and YouTuber Oga Obinna, who had been helping Shalkido rebuild his life and career, confirmed the news and recounted the difficult moments leading up to the tragedy. According to Obinna, hospital procedures and delays made it nearly impossible for the family to get updates or transfer the artist to another facility.
Doctors worked to manage Shalkido’s internal bleeding, but they ultimately declared him brain dead—a condition that marks the total and irreversible loss of brain function.
Hospital Ordeal and Medical Controversy
Obinna narrated how the family faced long hours of confusion and bureaucracy at the hospital. He said they were sent from one department to another, struggling to secure medical reports and approval for a transfer.
Eventually, a doctor identified as Dr. Lillian explained that Shalkido had suffered severe internal bleeding in multiple parts of the brain, making surgery impossible. The doctors kept him under sedation as his condition deteriorated.
However, after his death, several medical professionals criticized the hospital’s handling of the case. Dr. Waithera Wambugu, a neurosurgeon, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that KUTRRH should have performed emergency procedures, calling the case “heartbreaking” and “unethical.”
Rise, Struggles, and a Painful Downfall
Shalkido first gained fame as part of the Sailors Gang, the trailblazing Gengetone group behind hits like Wamlambez and Wainame. At the height of their success in 2019, the group redefined Kenya’s urban music scene, but fame was short-lived.
After the group split, Shalkido’s fortunes dwindled. He publicly shared his struggles, citing depression, unemployment, and financial hardship. In early 2025, Oga Obinna and other entertainers organized a fundraiser to help him restart his life.
Through Eric Omondi’s “Sisi kwa Sisi” campaign, well-wishers bought him a motorbike to start a boda boda business. In an emotional video shared online, Shalkido expressed gratitude and described the gift as “a new beginning.” Ironically, he lost his life in a crash involving the very same motorcycle he had used before.
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Tributes and Reflection
Shalkido’s death has sparked grief and reflection across Kenya’s entertainment scene. Musician Bahati revealed he had spoken to Shalkido days before the accident, saying the late rapper sounded “hopeful again.”
Fans, artists, and mental health advocates have flooded social media with tributes, describing him as talented, humble, and resilient. Mental health expert Bravin Yuri wrote, “There’s just something about life these days that doesn’t make sense.”
The tragedy has reignited conversations about mental health, artist welfare, and support systems in Kenya’s entertainment industry. Many have called for stronger mentorship and sustainable structures to protect struggling artists after fame fades.
