Shalkido’s best friend recalls how his dream of becoming a comedian never materialised
Former Sailors Gang member and Gengetone artiste Shalkido, who tragically passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025, following a motorbike accident, had a lesser-known history of pursuing comedy during his high school years, according to his close friend and fellow entertainer Kartello.
Kartello, speaking to YouTuber Jackie Ogaga on Friday, October 10, 2025, recalled that he met Shalkido in 2016 while attending auditions for a local Kikuyu TV station comedy show.
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At the time, Shalkido was still in high school, and the two quickly formed a bond.
He narrated that Sailors Gang founder, Miracle Baby, was also part of their circle, and the trio’s friendship grew over time.
“I first met Shalkido in 2016. At the time, there was a comedy show that was being launched on a local Kikuyu TV station, and I used to attend its auditions. Shalkido also came for the same auditions, and that is how we became friends. Miracle Baby was also part of that comedy group, and he felt that since we were almost the same age, we could easily connect, so we all became close friends,” he stated.
Kartello explained that Shalkido’s initial attempts at comedy were challenging.
Being under 18, he could not perform on certain stages, but his passion for entertainment was evident.
He revealed that he was occasionally given extra roles, including in video shoots, and later formally joined the comedy family.
Despite this early setback, Kartello noted that Shalkido’s ambition and talent were clear, and he continued to explore the arts, even venturing into acting.
“From 2016, our friendship grew stronger, although Shalkido was still in school then. He once told me he could not perform because he was under 18, but since he was so passionate, he was given extra roles during the video shoots. With time, he officially became part of the comedy family,” Kartello shared.
Kartello added that their friendship endured even after Shalkido joined the Sailors Gang music group.
Kartello recalled that the late singer often supported him professionally, including offering him an advert job, illustrating the strong bond they had cultivated over the years.
“But my friendship with him went beyond that show. Shalkido was determined and hard-working even back then. He was trying to build himself as a comedian, and he was growing fast. He was a true artiste at heart and even tried acting while still in high school. Even after he joined Sailors Gang, we still used to meet. There was even a time he connected me to an advert job. That was the kind of friend he was,” he added.
Shalkido’s untimely death shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike.
Reports indicated that he suffered critical injuries in a motorbike crash, including internal bleeding in the brain and a broken left leg, and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital.
His passing was confirmed in a heartbreaking video by family members on TikTok, with his cousin revealing that he succumbed to his injuries and that his body had been moved to the morgue.
The late singer had risen to prominence as part of the popular Gengetone group Sailors Gang, producing hits such as Wamlambez and Wainame.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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