Like most musicians, the story of Benga Musician John DeMathew can be told through his music, right up to the manner of his death. His critically acclaimed song ‘Peris Nduku’ which won him hearts of Kikuyu music lovers, ends in the tragic death of his muse Nduku, through a road accident on a hill in Limuru.

If the lyrics garii ti cia ma na itiíhokekaga (vehicles are not to be trusted), did not stand out then, they do now more than ever for the poetic manner of DeMathew’s, born John Mwangi Ng’ang’a, own death. The father of eight, also referred to as Baba Shiko, died in an accident near Blue Post on Thika Road on August 19, 2019.

Muthenya wakwa wakinya nongagukora (we will meet when my time comes), he laments in the song, referring to the certainty of death. In his other commercially successful song Njata Yakwa, arguably his biggest hit, the musician sings “jiguaga njiganiire wega, ona ngaigua maisha me mega” which loosely translates to ‘I feel very satisfied because my life is good’.

The 52-year-old was part of the second generation of the Stetson wearing, guitar strumming musicians from Central Kenya that are slowly being overtaken by an emerging younger generation. While his staples were love songs, the singer often dabbled in the murky political world, releasing polarising music to rally support for politicians he favoured.

Top hits

In 2013, the song Mwaka wa Hiti (The Year of the Hyena) had him arraigned in court for hate speech, although he was later acquitted. The controversies notwithstanding, with his death DeMathew places into the annals of great vernacular musicians alongside Musa Juma, Ayub Ogada, Jacob Luseno and Joseph Kamaru, who died last October.

For his impressive discography that contains 375 songs among them Ngoro Gitina and Tucemanagie Bara, DeMathew had a favourite song, says Kameme TV presenter Njogu wa Njoroge who had a long standing relationship with the deceased.

“Whenever he was at a function and he was requested to perform a song, it was almost always PIN number because he loved it and the crowds responded so well,” Njogu said.

DeMathew is said to have started music at the age of 13. “Whenever his classmates were making noise, he was making his with a homemade guitar,” Njogu says. His brother Evans Mburu is part of his Mbogo-ini Stars Band while his sister and other brother David Nganga have a few songs under their belts.

Tributes

The Benga music icon was praised by political leaders and fellow musician who pointed to his song as his contribution to building the society.

Leading those who eulogized the singer, President Uhuru Kenyatta said John DeMathew used his talent to teach life lessons and convey socio-economic and cultural messages, especially to the youth.

“DeMathew was a great composer of Kikuyu lyrics, which carried undertones of societal ills, including alcoholism, and promoting peace and cohesion in society,” the President said.

Deputy President William Ruto said: "De Mathew mentored many aspiring musicians and campaigned for a platform to empower them. He was artistic, sociable and an eloquent performer.”

 “John was as an artist. I have always referred to him as a modern Kikuyu prophet - Munabii - alongside the late Joseph Kamaru and Muigai wa Njoroge, “Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said of the singer.

Mukulima X Muriuki eulogised DeMathew, noting: “I will remember DeMathew as a lyrical genius, a man who loved the stetson hat and whose signature sound in every song was a page borrowed from CDM Kiratû’s book: “Ceeeeiiiiiyaaaa”.