From fleeing Burundi to settling in Kenya: A look at Kidum’s story of courage
By Trizer Lijondo, September 9, 2026For musician Jean Pierre Nimbona, popularly known as Kidum, Kenya became home after he fled Burundi in 1995 amid political instability. His journey from a young man escaping conflict to one of East Africa’s recognised musicians is a story he has reflected on in interviews over the years.
In K24’s “Up-close with Kidum” interview published on March 1, 2019, the musician opened up about his journey from Burundi to Kenya, including the circumstances that forced him to leave his country and start again elsewhere.
Fleeing Burundi
Kidum’s departure from Burundi came when the country was experiencing political turmoil. At the time, he was still a young man, and leaving meant separating himself from the life he knew and finding safety across the border.
Trouble started in 1993 after the assassination of the first democratically elected Burundi president from the Hutu community. It was claimed that he had been assassinated by the Tutsi-dominated military, thus planting the seeds of a civil war that would plague Burundi and neighbouring Rwanda.
“My mother was a Tutsi while my father was a Hutu.I grew up and played with other young boys without knowing what my tribe was. That was until 1993 when war broke out,” Kidum said in a previous interview.
Kidum was armed with $60 (about Sh5,000) and a small bag when he set out on a journey to the unknown, leaving behind his ailing father when he began his journey for fear of being killed.
His journey eventually brought him to Kenya, where he began rebuilding his life since 1995. What started as a search for safety would later become a permanent chapter of his life as he established himself in the Kenyan music industry.
The musician has since spoken about how deeply Kenya became connected to his identity. In a K24 report published on September 8, 2026, Kidum said, “Kenya is my home since 1995, and I chose to be Kenyan with all my heart.”
Building a life in Kenya
Kidum’s settlement in Kenya coincided with the development of his music career. Over the years, he became known for his Kiswahili songs and performances, building an audience in Kenya and across the region.
His personal life also became closely tied to the country. On September 8, 2026, Kidum explained, “My wife is Kenyan, and we are legally married and have children, and they are in school in Kenya.”
He further defended his fellow citizens against the crackdown and
The statement illustrates how far his life had moved from the uncertainty of 1995. Kenya was no longer simply the country where he sought refuge; it had become the place where he established his family, career and future.
Over the years, Kidum has continued to identify with both sides of his journey, acknowledging his Burundian roots while recognising the country that gave him an opportunity to rebuild. His experience in Kenya has therefore been shaped not only by his music career, but also by the relationships, family and sense of belonging he developed after settling in the country.
A story with renewed relevance
Kidum’s past has gained renewed relevance amid concerns over xenophobia and the treatment of Burundians and other foreign nationals in Kenya. In September 2026, he offered his 11-seater van to Burundians who wished to return home, saying, “I have an 11-seater van; I am ready to put it in anyone’s disposal to take people home.”
Yet his own story provides a different perspective. Having arrived in Kenya after fleeing instability in Burundi, Kidum spent decades building a life in the country. His words remain a reflection of that journey: “Kenya is my home since 1995.”