Musician Shalkido has died from injuries
sustained in a grisly crash on Thika Road.
The tragic news was first shared by comedian Oga Obinna, who
had closely followed the artist’s deteriorating condition following the
accident.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October
5, between Githurai and Carwash just before Roysambu.
First responders found Shalkido lying severely injured by
the roadside and rushed him to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and
Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where he was admitted to the ICU.
In a public update, Oga Obinna revealed that doctors at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital had pronounced
Shalkido brain-dead.
“He has internal bleeding in the brain, in a lot of places,
and so it is also swollen, meaning that it is inoperable,” he said, referring
to comments made by attending neurosurgeons.
Apart from that, Obinna added that while his left leg had
also sustained serious injury, the primary concern was the brain damage.
He described how initial efforts by hospital staff were
constrained by the severity and extent of the internal hemorrhaging.
Detailed accounts from Obinna also indicate that Shalkido
had left a venue in Thika after performing and was riding a motorcycle toward
Nairobi with companions.
“Brain dead” means that a person has suffered an irreversible
loss of all brain function.
Doctors use the term to describe a situation where the brain
no longer sends signals that control vital functions such as breathing,
heartbeat regulation, or consciousness.
Unlike being in a coma (where there is still some brain
activity and a chance of recovery), brain death is legally and medically
considered death, even if machines can keep the heart and lungs working for a
time.
Shalkido was last seen near Kenyatta University, where he
reportedly waved goodbye before veering off his route. Hours later, relatives
were alerted about the accident.
The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s
entertainment industry.
Colleagues, fans, and public figures have expressed grief
over the loss of a young artist whose trajectory showed promise.
Shalkido, born Kevin
Mburu Kinyanjui, was known for his work in the Gengetone and Mugithi genres and
had recently gained attention for sharing his personal struggles.
Before the accident, he had appealed for support to sustain
his music and family, which had drawn both empathy and criticism across social
media platforms
His death underscores growing concerns about road safety in Kenya,
especially on major highways like Thika Road.
As the nation mourns, further investigations are expected to
determine the precise cause of the crash.
