Kenya’s entertainment scene is mourning the sudden loss of Gengetone artist Shalkido, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a grisly road accident over the weekend.
The Sailors Gang member, born Kelvin Mburu Kinyanjui, had been performing at a Thika club on the night of Saturday, October 5, where he shared the stage with comedian and media personality Oga Obinna.
Videos from the night showed the two in high spirits as they interacted with fans and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
According to Obinna, Shalkido later decided to ride back to Nairobi on his motorbike, a journey that ended in tragedy.
Reports indicate that he was involved in a serious crash between Githurai and Carwash near Roysambu, and was rushed to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) in critical condition.
Doctors later confirmed that the artist had suffered severe internal head injuries, swelling, and a broken thigh. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead hours later.
Obinna, who was among the first to arrive at the hospital, broke the heartbreaking news to fans through his Instagram page.
“Gengetone artist Shalkido has passed away following a tragic motorbike accident. The sad news comes just hours after he was declared brain dead. May his soul rest in peace,” he wrote.
The entertainer later revealed that he learned of Shalkido’s passing during a live show after viewers began flooding his comment section with “RIP” messages.
He paused the broadcast to verify the information with Shalkido’s family before confirming the loss live on air.
“This and the next will be one of the hardest shows we are going to do. We’ve lost Shalkido, but life has to move on,” Obinna said emotionally.
Tributes have since poured in from fans, fellow artists, and celebrities, remembering Shalkido for his electric energy and creative flair that helped define the Gengetone wave.
Though he faced financial struggles and depression after the Sailors Gang split, Shalkido had recently been working to rebuild his life.
Earlier this year, comedian Eric Omondi gifted him a brand-new motorbike to help him get back on his feet, the same machine that would tragically claim his life.
Shalkido will be remembered as a gifted artist and one of the pioneers who helped shape Kenya’s modern urban sound.