Nairobi Chapel filled with grief as MC Fullstop’s burial draws hundreds
By Steve Ireri, August 12, 2025The Nairobi Chapel along Ngong Road was a sea of sorrow on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, as fans, friends, and family gathered in their hundreds to bid farewell to reggae legend MC Fullstop, born John Maina, whose voice once defined an era in Kenya’s music scene.
His body was picked up from the Chiromo Funeral Home early in the morning in a convoy of sleek black cars, led by a hearse fitted with clear windows that allowed mourners to catch a final glimpse of his body.
The sombre procession made its way to the church, where the memorial service was held before he was to be laid to rest at the Lang’ata Cemetery later in the day.
Inside the chapel, the atmosphere was heavy with grief. According to his eulogy, which was read during the service by his close friend Ronny, MC Fullstop was born on Sunday, February 2, 1980, in Voi to William Muguro and Lucy Muthoni.
He was the brother to Mary Wacheke of Mombasa, the late Catherine Mugure of London, Monica Njeri of Switzerland, Anthony Mwangi of Mombasa, and Alice of Switzerland. He was a devoted father to Andy Ngeru, Michael Maina, and Muthoni.
“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to celebrate the life of a legend, John Maina. He was born in Voi on Sunday, February 2, 1980, to William Muguro and Lucy Muthoni. He was the brother to Mary Wacheke of Mombasa, the late Catherine Mugure of London, Monica Njeri of Switzerland, Anthony Mwangi of Mombasa, and Alice of Switzerland. He was a father to Andy Ngeru, Michael Maina, and Muthoni.”
The eulogy recounted that Fullstop was raised in Mombasa, where he received all his education and began his career.
Though illness forced him to slow down in 2018, he continued working, with his final show at K24 being hosted on Saturday, July 26, 2025, even as his health deteriorated.
He fell gravely ill on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and was rushed to hospital, where he remained until Friday, August 1, 2025, when he passed away at 6:30 pm, closing what the eulogy described as his book of life and leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Ronny, who read the eulogy, broke down several times during the delivery, his voice faltering as memories overwhelmed him. At one point, he had to be held by another mourner to regain composure before continuing, a moment that drew quiet sobs from the congregation.
Passionate DJ
John Maina’s journey was one that intertwined raw talent with unrelenting passion.
At only 14 years old in the early 1990s, he began his career in Mombasa, where reggae’s heartbeat matched the pulse of the streets. With his unmistakable raspy voice, electrifying presence, and patois-infused energy, he became a household name, earning the stage name MC Fullstop because when he took the microphone, no one else mattered.
From the underground reggae scene to national media platforms, he championed reggae culture alongside DJs like DJ Smash, helping to push the genre into mainstream popularity.
His life, however, took a devastating turn in 2021 when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the lungs, which led to the collapse of his left lung.
In 2022, he suffered another blow after contracting throat TB, affecting the very voice that had been his signature. Despite the challenges, he made a surprise comeback on the radio in June 2023, frail but determined, a moment that left fans emotional and deeply inspired.
Even as bookings grew scarce and his energy waned, MC Fullstop never publicly complained.
He spoke of hope and dignity, engaging fans on social media until his final post on July 30, 2025.
His passing on August 1 marked the end of a chapter in Kenya’s reggae story, but his voice, once the heartbeat of countless weekends, will forever echo in the memories of those who loved him.