PHOTOS: Inside emotional burial of Kamba celebrity photographer Charles Masillah
By Steve Ireri, September 26, 2026The final farewell to popular Kamba celebrity photographer Charles Masillah was marked by tears and overwhelming grief as family, friends, artistes and media personalities gathered to accompany him on his final journey.
The emotional day began at the Kenyatta University Funeral Home, where mourners gathered before Masillah’s body was taken to the chapel for prayers and the first viewing session.
At the chapel, Masillah’s body was brought out in a brown coffin as mourners gathered for prayers before being allowed to view him for the first time.
The solemn atmosphere grew increasingly emotional when members of his family came forward to view the body, with grief visibly overwhelming several of them.
Some family members broke down and openly wept as they stood beside the coffin, struggling to contain their emotions as they came face-to-face with the reality of Masillah’s death.
The emotional scenes at the viewing session also drew the attention of the celebrities and personalities who had gathered to bid farewell to the photographer who had spent years documenting the Kamba entertainment scene.
Among those present was popular Kamba media personality Katumbi, who had earlier expressed disbelief over Masillah’s sudden death and mourned the loss of a familiar face from the region’s entertainment industry.
Kamba personality Charles Mwengei was also among those who attended the emotional farewell, joining family, friends and other mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
Masillah’s close association with artistes was further reflected in the performances that followed, with singers Carol Mbithe and Celly Mwikie taking to the stage during the funeral service.
The two artistes performed as mourners followed the proceedings, with their music adding another emotional layer to a day that had already been dominated by grief.
Dancer and singer Ndeke ya Muthanga also performed during the burial, joining other entertainers who turned up to honour the late photographer.
The performances provided moments of music amid the mourning, reflecting the deep ties Masillah had built with entertainers throughout his years working within the Kamba showbiz industry.
After the prayers and viewing session, Masillah’s coffin was carried out as mourners prepared to accompany him to his final resting place.
A family member walked at the front of the procession while carrying a large mounted photograph of Masillah, providing a poignant image of the man whose life and work had brought him into close contact with numerous artistes and media personalities.
Those carrying the brown coffin followed behind as the procession made its way towards the graveside, with family members and friends walking behind them.
The procession eventually arrived at the burial site, where Masillah’s coffin was placed beside the grave as pastors led mourners through the final prayers.
The atmosphere remained sombre as the clergy committed the deceased to his final resting place before the coffin was slowly lowered into the grave.
Family members and mourners stood around the grave watching as Masillah was finally laid to rest, bringing to an end a funeral service that had been marked by emotional scenes from the chapel to the graveside.
As soil was heaped onto the grave, the pain of the loss appeared to hit the family once again, with several relatives breaking into fresh sobs.
The final moments were particularly difficult for those closest to Masillah, who had earlier struggled to contain their emotions during the body viewing.