Kevin Mburu, known to fans as Shalkido, was a name once shouted across dance floors during the peak of Gengetone wave.
To his peers, he was a symbol of youthful ambition. To many fans, his story now stands as a reminder of resilience and reinvention.
The breakout star of Gengetone
Shalkido first rose to prominence as a member of the Nairobi-based collective Sailors Gang, alongside Miracle Baby, Masilver, Qoqosjuma and Lexxy Yung.
The group became one of the defining faces of Gengetone, the raw and energetic sound that swept the country’s urban music scene between 2019 and 2021.
With viral anthems like Wamlambez, Pekejeng and Wainame, Sailors turned slang into pop culture.
Their songs topped charts and club playlists, and Shalkido’s distinctive voice helped shape the group’s identity.
According to AfrikaLyrics, he was also known by the alias African Boy, reflecting both his youthful swagger and cultural pride.
But as Gengetone’s momentum slowed and internal tensions emerged, the group’s unity faltered.
Members went solo, and Shalkido tried to reinvent himself, blending urban rhythms with Mugithi.
A life of struggle and reinvention
Beyond the fame, Shalkido’s life was marked by struggle.
In interviews and social posts, he often spoke candidly about hardship and the realities of surviving as an artist once the spotlight dims.
In early 2025, he publicly appealed for help, writing to comedian Eric Omondi.
“Mhesh … nipate hata bike ya kuanza hustle to support my family again," he had said.
Omondi responded through his Sisi kwa Sisi initiative, donating a motorbike and basic supplies to help him restart life.
Shalkido planned to use the bike for transport and deliveries, a new hustle to support his young family.
The final ride
According to police, tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Shalkido was involved in a motorcycle accident along Thika Superhighway, between Githurai and Roysambu, while riding home.
Media personality Oga Obinna, who was among the last people to see him alive, later described their last meeting.
“We met at the merging road to Thika. He was on his bike. I fueled his bike … He waved at us as he took an exit," he said.
Moments later, Shalkido crashed.
He was rushed to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where doctors found severe brain swelling and internal bleeding.
He also suffered a fractured left leg.
Despite being admitted to the ICU, he was declared brain-dead and later died that evening at around 6:30 p.m.
Fans mourn
News of his death spread quickly, sparking tributes from fellow musicians, fans and media personalities.
Many remembered him as a humble, hopeful figure who continued to dream despite hardship.
“He was trying so hard to rebuild. His death is a reminder of what many young artists go through when the spotlight moves on,” one fan wrote on X.
Shalkido’s death comes just months after he had expressed optimism about returning to music.
His most recent release, Ngunde Ngurume, remains available on streaming platforms, a lasting echo of his Gengetone energy and creative spirit.
For fans, Shalkido remains a voice that defined a generation, bold, unfiltered and authentic.
