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Van Quiz: Curtains fall as late Urban Gusii singer is laid to rest
27th March, 2026 08:13 PM
Late urban Gusii musician Kelvin Ngiti, popularly known as Van Quiz, has finally been laid to rest nearly a week after his tragic demise following a short illness.
The singer was buried at his parents’ home in Matagaro village, Bosoti Sengera, Kisii County, on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The ceremony began with a sombre service held at the Matagaro Primary School grounds, where leaders, fellow artistes, and hundreds of fans gathered to mourn him and offer prayers for his soul.
Emotional tributes defined the ceremony, alongside captivating performances from some of Kisii’s top artistes, including Chris Embarambamba, who left mourners both stunned and amused after dramatically climbing onto a tent to perform.
Despite the lively performances, the burial ultimately culminated in heart-wrenching moments as members of Van Quiz’s immediate family and that of his wife were invited to deliver their final tributes and prayers for his soul.
At that point, grief overwhelmed several family members, particularly Van Quiz’s wife, who broke down in tears and had to be supported to prevent her from collapsing under the weight of the moment.
Following the service, the body was escorted by hundreds of fans to his home, where a shallow grave had been prepared.
Moments before the coffin was lowered into the ground, heavy rains began to pour, slowing the movement of mourners who were trekking on foot. However, the downpour did little to deter them from giving Van Quiz a dignified and heartfelt send-off.
In videos shared online, mourners are seen wading through water-filled potholes as they made their way to the burial site.
The footage also captures the profound emotional toll of his passing on fans, as immediately after the casket was placed on the grave, one distraught fan jumped onto it while crying, triggering loud wails from others who were overcome with grief.
The burial eventually proceeded, with family members performing all the final rites, including offering personal prayers before being the first to place soil onto the grave in a symbolic farewell.
Untimely passing
News of his passing was confirmed by his wife, Felisters, who shared an emotional message expressing disbelief and heartbreak over the sudden death of her husband.
In the emotional post, Felisters revealed that she had struggled to accept what had happened, recalling the painful moment he held her hand as if he were saying his final goodbye.
“Haikuwa serious hivi, beb; nitaambia nn mtoi😭😭😭,” she wrote, expressing the deep pain of losing him and wondering how she would break the devastating news to their child.
Felisters added that she had not believed what she was seeing at the time, saying the moment Van Quiz held her hand now felt like a silent farewell.
“RIP, dear husband. Sijaamini macho yangu kumbe ulinishika mkono kuniambia byeee,” she wrote.
Hours before news of his death emerged, Felisters had shared an update indicating that the singer had been hospitalised.
In the update, she posted a video showing Van Quiz lying on a hospital bed looking weak, with his eyes struggling to remain open as he battled the illness.
According to family members, the artiste had initially developed what appeared to be a minor illness before his condition deteriorated rapidly.
He was rushed to hospital as the situation became critical, but he sadly died while receiving treatment.
Budding singer
Before his untimely death, Van Quiz had built a name for himself as one of the rising voices in the Gusii urban music scene.
The talented singer and songwriter was widely known for blending the Ekegusii language with modern Afro-urban sounds, a style that resonated strongly with young listeners in Kisii County and beyond.
Through his music, he played a role in promoting contemporary Gusii music on digital platforms and local radio stations, gradually building a loyal fan base within the region.
Over the years, he collaborated with several local artistes and released a number of songs that gained popularity among 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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