Ex-Sailors Gang artiste Shalkido passes away
By Steve Ireri, October 6, 2025Former Sailors Gang member and Gengetone artiste Kevin Mburu Kinyanju, popularly known as Shalkido, has died following a grisly motorbike accident that left him in critical condition.
The artiste, who had earlier been reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital, passed away on the evening of Monday, October 6, 2025.
In a heartbreaking video shared by family members on TikTok, Shalkido’s cousin confirmed his death while standing beside his father, saying they had just received news from doctors that the singer had succumbed to his injuries.
He said it was a sad evening for the family, urging fans and friends to stand with them as they mourn their loss.
“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 said while speaking in the video alongside Shalkido’s father.
The news was also confirmed by Shalkido’s sister, who said that the doctor had called the family to deliver the heartbreaking update.
Speaking to Oga Obinna’s personal assistant, who was among those who had visited the artiste in the hospital, the sister confirmed that his body had since been moved to the morgue.
“Yes, the doctor has confirmed to us that he is gone. He has died, and his body has been moved from the hospital to the morgue,” she said.
This tragic update came only hours after comedian and media personality Oga Obinna revealed that Shalkido was fighting for his life in ICU.
His death comes days after he pleaded for help.
Obinna had disclosed that the artiste suffered internal bleeding in the brain and a broken left leg following the early morning crash.
“We are at KU Referral Hospital, and things are not looking up because of a few factors. When we came in, tukapelekwa mbaka place yuko, yuko kwa ICU,” Obinna had said earlier, noting that doctors described Shalkido’s condition as critical.
According to Obinna, he had been with the Wanyonyi hitmaker in Thika earlier that morning, where Shalkido had been scheduled to perform at his show.
After the performance, they parted ways in the early hours, with the musician opting to ride his motorbike back to Nairobi.
“When we were leaving, we lost him at some point. When we met at the merging road to Thika, he was on his bike. I fueled his bike, and we proceeded. This was around 4 a.m. We went until just past KU. He waved at us as he took an exit, and we proceeded with our journey,” Obinna recounted.
Hours later, reports surfaced that the singer had been involved in a serious accident and was rushed to the hospital. Details on the exact location or cause of the crash remain unclear.
Shalkido rose to fame as part of the popular Gengetone group Sailors Gang, known for chart-topping hits such as Wamlambez and Wainame.