NAIROBI, Kenya — The tragic death of Mugithi and Gengetone artiste Kevin Mburu Kinyanju, better known as Shalkido of the former Sailors Gang, has been met with an outpouring of grief, compounded by the revelation that the artist had just begun to successfully relaunch his career.
Media personality Oga Obinna shared details of Shalkido’s recent professional comeback on Monday, October 6, 2025, shortly after news of the artiste’s passing in a motorbike accident circulated online.
Obinna praised a club manager in Lamu County, identified only as Naomie, who gave Shalkido an opportunity after he publicly appealed for assistance. Naomie reportedly booked the singer for a series of back-to-back performances at her club.
“A word of thank you to Naomie, the lady in the club in Lamu who gave Shalkido his first gig when he just came back, and we booked him for the show in Lamu,” Obinna revealed.
Larger second gig planned
In a more poignant revelation, Obinna disclosed that the same manager had already scheduled a second engagement for Shalkido, which was set to be a significantly larger opportunity.
“He was already booked for a second show in the same club in Lamu, and they had said they wanted him to go back with a band. Thank you for believing in him!” Obinna revealed.
The media personality also extended gratitude to others who had rallied to support Shalkido’s attempts to rebuild his life and career, including comedian Eric Omondi and his team, who provided the artiste with a new motorcycle for mobility and earning a living.
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“Dignity furniture, when I told you guys to let us come through for Shalkido, you came. Team Sisi kwa Sisi and Eric Omondi, when he came out, you guys gave him a motorbike to try and earn a living with. Thank you very much,” he stated, also mentioning a one-year deal secured with the furniture store.
Tragic end
Shalkido’s death followed a severe motorbike accident that left him in critical condition. The artiste, who had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital, succumbed to his injuries on the evening of Monday, October 6, 2025.
The heartbreaking confirmation came via a video shared on TikTok by a family member. Shalkido’s cousin, standing next to the artist’s father, confirmed the news delivered by the doctors.
“Hello, guys, it is a sad evening. We are here with Shalkido’s father, and we have just received a report from the doctor that Shalkido died at 6:30, just a few minutes ago. So, guys, let us come together and stand with this family. Everything will be okay,” the cousin stated in the emotional video.
Shalkido’s sister also confirmed that the family had received the tragic update from medical staff.
