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Jimmy Gait recounts harrowing escape from robbers who wanted him dead
26th February, 2026 12:06 PM
Veteran gospel musician James Ngaita Ngigi, widely known as Jimmy Gait, has opened up about a terrifying encounter with armed robbers who overpowered him and nearly took his life.
Speaking during a TikTok live session, Jimmy, in a chilling account, described how the attackers struck him with such force that he felt he was about to die.
He also recalled how he struggled to survive while sustaining injuries.
“Jamaa alininyonga sana kwa nguvu nikasikia sasa kama ninaenda kukufa, nikakuwa suffocated nikatumia nguvu zangui zote, kumbuka nimekatwa vidole zina mwanga damu,” Jimmy recalled.
During the ordeal, Jimmy says one of the assailants forced him to give up his money via Mpesa, while another held a large machete, aiming for his neck.
“Nikajari kujitoa kumbe huyu mwengine ako kwa mfuko ashatoa simu nikawaambia tafadhali msiniue alafu sikuwa nawangalia kwa uso kwa sababu niliambia ukiwai patana na wakora usiwaangalie kwa uso so sikuwa nataka kuwaangalia kwa uso juu wakiona umewajua, saa zingine wanaweza kukuiua,” he narrated.
“Niliwaambia tafadhali msiniue nawaomba chukueni kila kitu, wakaniitisha pin ya Mpesa na wakajitumia pesa zote na wakachukua hadi simu.”
Near-death experience
In addition, the musician says, despite his compliance, the robbers continued to threaten his life.
“Walikuwa wananiambia,’leo tunakuua’ lakini kama bado niko hapo chini na wanaendelea kunichapa nikaanza kuomba mungu nilikuwa nishaona siku yangu imefika, I was traumatized hiyo siku,” he added.
“Nikiwa hapo chini, jamaa mwangine akatoa kwa jacket machete kubwa, nikaona anaenda kuniua na bado nko chini, unajua walikuwa wawili na wameni over power, so huyo alikuwa na machete alikuwa anaaim shingo akaniambia weka shingo vizuri tunataka kukuua polepole mimi nikashika hiyo machete ikanikata kidole hii kubwa ilikuwa imetokana yote, ilikuwa inaanguka cut ilikuwa all the way round.”
How he escaped
Eventually, the attackers allowed Jimmy to leave, warning him not to look back. He says he ran while bleeding.
He noted that the experience was the most traumatising moment of his life.
“Nikiwa pale chini nilivyo ona wako determined kuniua nikasema ‘Jesus’ nikalilia yesu, na wakati niliita jina la yesu wakawacha kunichapa the name of Jesus was the one that made them step back,” Jimmy added.
Jimmy was assaulted on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at around 10:00 a.m. in Runda.
