Popular Mugithi and Gengetone musician Shalkido has died following a tragic motorcycle accident along Thika Road. The artist succumbed to severe brain injuries days after being admitted to Kenyatta University (KU) Referral Hospital in critical condition.
Sources close to his family confirmed that Shalkido was pronounced dead after doctors declared him brain dead earlier in the week. The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, shortly after he had performed at a popular entertainment joint in Thika. He was reportedly riding back to Nairobi when the crash happened around 4 a.m.
According to reports, the artist was found unconscious at the scene and rushed to hospital, where he was placed under intensive care. His condition deteriorated despite medical intervention.
Media personality Oga Obinna, who was among the last people to see Shalkido alive, said they had met briefly on Thika Road before parting ways. “We had just left Thika when he waved and took an exit near KU. Later, I was told he had been involved in an accident,” Obinna recalled.
Shalkido, who rose to fame as part of the Gengetone wave before venturing into Mugithi, had recently been rebuilding his career after years away from the spotlight. Earlier this year, he opened up about facing financial difficulties and trying to make ends meet through a boda boda business. His story caught the attention of comedian Eric Omondi, who, through his Sisi kwa Sisi initiative, helped raise funds to buy Shalkido a new motorcycle — the same one involved in the fatal accident.
Fans and fellow artists have taken to social media to mourn the singer’s death, describing it as a huge loss to Kenya’s creative industry. Many praised him for his resilience, musical talent, and efforts to reinvent himself despite personal struggles.
Family representatives said funeral preparations are underway and that more details will be shared after a post-mortem and official statements are released. Shalkido’s passing marks a heartbreaking end to a life that had begun to turn around, leaving fans mourning a rising star gone too soon.