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John De’Mathew’s widow Carolyne marks his 7th death anniversary with emotional tribute
19th August, 2026 06:57 AM
John DeMathew’s second wife Carolyne Waithera has remembered the late Kikuyu Benga and Mugithi icon on the seventh anniversary of his death, paying tribute to the musician whose songs continue to resonate with his fans years after his death.
In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Carolyne marked exactly seven years since the death of her husband, describing him as a legend and asking him to continue resting in peace.
“Exactly 7 years today…Continue resting in peace, Legend,” she wrote.
Carolyne’s brief but emotional tribute came as family, friends, fellow musicians and fans remembered DeMathew seven years after his death, with many reflecting on the mark he left on Kikuyu music and the wider Kenyan entertainment scene.
On his part, Mugithi icon Tonny Young reflected on DeMathew’s lasting influence on the music industry and the generations of artistes who came after him.
In his tribute, Tonny described DeMathew’s death in 2019 as the moment when the music stopped but said the musician’s legacy continued to live on.
“In 2019 the music stopped, but the legacy never did,” Tonny wrote.
He recalled how DeMathew was taken from his fans and fellow musicians too soon but noted that his music had continued to occupy a place in the lives of those who loved his work.
“2019 took you from us too soon,” he wrote.
Tonny Young said DeMathew’s songs continued to be played in cars while his words remained a source of comfort for people going through difficult moments.
“Your songs still play in our cars, your words still get us through hard nights, and your spirit still inspires every artist coming up after you,” he wrote.
He further reflected on DeMathew’s contribution to culture, arguing that his impact went beyond producing popular songs.
“You built something bigger than hits; you built culture,” Tonny wrote.
The Mugithi icon concluded his tribute by describing DeMathew as a legend and saying his absence had left the stage quieter, although the music he created would continue to live on.
“Rest easy, legend. The stage is quieter without you, but the music you left behind will never die,” he wrote.
Tonny also described DeMathew as an enduring presence in music despite his death seven years ago.
“Gone in 2019, forever in the music; thank you for the impact. REST IN POWER JOHN DE’ MATHEW,” he added.
Mugithi icon
DeMathew, whose real name was John Ng’ang’a Mwangi, died in August 2019 after being involved in a road crash along the Thika Superhighway.
He was driving his Nissan Navara alone when it collided with the rear of a moving truck near Blue Post Hotel in Thika.
The accident happened as he was returning home after attending a fundraising event at Metro Bar in Thika town organised in support of fellow musician Peter Kigia.
He was later buried at his home in Gatanga, Murang’a County, where his funeral attracted a large gathering of family members, friends, musicians, political leaders and his many fans.
Author
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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