Mwijaku makes emotional appeal for singer Meja Kunta after father’s death leaves him orphaned
By Steve Ireri, July 23, 2026Tanzanian media personality and influencer Mwijaku has made an emotional appeal to artistes and promoters to rally around Singeli artiste Meja Kunta following the death of his father, a loss that has now left the musician without either parent.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Mwijaku urged members of Tanzania’s entertainment industry to stand by Meja Kunta during what he described as one of the most difficult periods of his life, saying the singer needs support, guidance and opportunities following the loss of both his parents.
Meja Kunta’s father, Mwarami Sadiki Mtumbuka, died on July 21, 2026, after battling health complications involving high blood pressure and a stroke.
His death came after Meja Kunta had already lost his mother the previous year, meaning the latest loss has left the Singeli artiste orphaned.
Speaking about the tragedy, Mwijaku acknowledged the emotional and financial burden that comes with having a parent battling a serious illness.
“And having your parent very sick is not very easy, and some people assume it because such tragedies have not befallen them, but when they do, they will know how important a healthy parent is,” Mwijaku said.
He explained that a person’s reaction can change dramatically when they are confronted with the possibility of losing a parent, saying the desperation to save a loved one can push someone to take extraordinary measures.
“And so it is not an everyday thing, and when you are told your father is in critical condition, you will do all crazy things to get help,” he added.
Mwijaku’s comments came in reference to the difficult circumstances Meja Kunta faced in the final days of his father’s life.
The musician had made an emotional appeal for financial assistance after revealing that his father was critically ill and receiving treatment.
Meja Kunta disclosed that he had exhausted his savings while trying to support his father’s medical care and was even willing to sell his personal belongings to raise money for treatment.
He had expressed his willingness to part with his house, plot of land, car, phone and other possessions, saying he would rather lose his property than lose his father.
Mwijaku said the circumstances surrounding Meja Kunta’s appeal for help should not be judged harshly, arguing that anyone faced with the prospect of losing a parent could find themselves in a similar situation.
“So that means I cannot judge him for having appealed for help,” he said.
Following the death, Mwijaku said the most important thing now was for people to pray for Meja Kunta and remain close to him as he comes to terms with the loss.
“And now all we can do is to pray for him because his father’s death meant that he has now become an orphan,” Mwijaku said.
He further explained that, from an Islamic perspective, orphaned people require continued care, guidance and support from society, regardless of whether their parents left behind wealth.
“And for us Muslims, if a person becomes an orphan, they need to always be looked after and guided regardless of whether the parent left him wealth,” he said.
Mwijaku noted that losing both parents places a person in a vulnerable position where the wider community has a responsibility to step in and provide support.
“Once you lose both parents, that means you are in the phase where society takes care of you,” he added.
The media personality then directly appealed to Tanzanian artistes and promoters to support Meja Kunta by creating opportunities for him to continue working and earning a living.
He called on event organisers to consider giving the musician jobs whenever they host shows, saying such support would help him navigate the difficult period ahead.
“And so on this, I appeal to artistes and promoters that this is the season you need to look after Meja. In every event, give him jobs,” Mwijaku said.
He also encouraged people to support Meja Kunta with kindness, saying those who step forward to help him could also receive blessings.
“And you will also get blessings because he is an orphan,” he added.
Mwijaku further reflected on the circumstances facing people who lose their parents, saying those who have experienced such losses often need help and compassion from those around them.
“People who always need help first and with kindness in heart are orphans,” he said.
He reminded the public that Meja Kunta had lost his mother only last year before suffering another devastating loss with the death of his father.
“He lost his mother last year and now he has lost his father,” Mwijaku said.
He concluded by urging members of the public and the entertainment industry to remain close to the musician during the grieving period, saying no one could truly know the emotional pain he was experiencing privately.
“In this period, let’s be close to him because you cannot know what he is facing in his heart,” Mwijaku said.
Meja Kunta’s father’s death came after the musician had made a desperate appeal for assistance as his parent received treatment at Temeke District Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
The late Mwarami Sadiki Mtumbuka was later laid to rest at Kisutu Cemetery on July 22, following Muslim prayers at Masjid Maamur Mosque in Upanga.
The artistes also gathered at the graveside for special prayers, offering spiritual support to their fellow musician as he laid his father to rest.