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John DeMathew is Dead: Benga Maestro Involved in Car Accident in Thika

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 9:19 pm
by tana
“Benga musician John Ng'ang'a, alias John DeMathew, has perished in a road crash at Blue Post [Thika, Kiambu County] this evening. Thika Base Commander Elenah Wamuyu said Demathew's car rammed into a lorry near Blue Post Hotel. He was alone in the car.”
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Benga-mus ... index.html

Death is so cruel. Less than a year ago, DeMathew was one of the singers during burial service for the most popular Kenyan musician ever, Joseph Kamaru. Who would have guessed that less than 1 year later DeMathew would be no more?

DeMathew’s death is much more shocking because unlike Kamaru - who had been in and out of hospital for several months, and was almost 80 - Demathew is much younger, and of course, died from a road accident.

May the good Lord give strength to his family at this trying time. May John DeMathew RIP.
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John DeMathew is Dead: Benga Maestro Involved in Car Accident in Thika

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:48 am
by tana

What was John De'Mathew’s most popular song? That is debatable. What is not up for debate is his first hit - Peris Nduku. He sang this song way back in the late 1980s when he was just known as John Ndemethiu, from Kirwara, Gatanga. (NB: The video for the song was made in the the year 200()? Not sure when I first saw it, but it is definitely not more than 15 years ago.)

Coincidentally, this song - his first hit - is about a car accident!

Rest in peace John Ng'ang'a Ndemethiu Njamba ya Gatanga.

John DeMathew is Dead: Benga Maestro Involved in Car Accident in Thika

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:56 am
by tana
“President Kenyatta mourns Benga musician John DeMatthew…“As a nation, we were privileged to have had such a brilliant artiste who played a big role in promoting our African cultural heritage through his music. Indeed, we have lost an icon in the music industry. DeMathew championed and played a big role in preserving our cultural heritage,” the President said.” https://www.kbc.co.ke/president-kenyatt ... dematthew/
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Ndemethiu is a legend. Only one Kenyan artiste has sold more records/cassettes/CDs than Ndemethiu - the late Joseph Kamaru.

John DeMathew Funeral Service

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:58 pm
by tana
johndemathew_burial.jpg
President Uhuru Kenyatta and John Demathew’s brother, Evans Mburu, dance to Demathew’s song Peris Nduku (My dear Nduku) during his funeral service at Githambia Primary School, Gatanga, Murang’a County on 24 August 2019.

John DeMathew Funeral Service

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:59 pm
by tana
johndemathew_burial2.jpg
Murang’a County Woman Rep Sabina Wanjiru Chege and Demathew’s brother, Evans Mburu, dance to Demathew’s song Njata Yakwa, during his funeral service at Githambia Primary School. Ms Chege featured in the original video of the song about 16 years ago.

At the back (wearing white turban) is Gospel singer Hezeh Ndung’u.

John DeMathew Funeral Service

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:00 pm
by tana
johndemathew_burial3.jpg
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, and Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria at John Demathew’s funeral service at Githambia Primary School, Gatanga, Murang’a County on 24 August 2019.