President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP Ruto, Raila Odinga among dignitaries expected in Gatanga for Musician John DeMathew burial

The deceased Mugithi maestro John DeMathew will be laid to rest at his home in Gatanga, Murang’a county today, Saturday. Among the dignitaries expected to attend are President Uhuru Kenyatta, deputy and Raila Odinga. The funeral service is expected to be dominated by Central Kenya politics as well as affirm the position of President Uhuru in the Mt Kenya region. DeMathew was one of the renown musicians from the region whose music would be used to not only whip political emotions but also to give direction on who to vote.

The funeral committee, led by former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and former Thika County Council Chairman Francis Muheria settled on today as the burial date after a request from President Uhuru Kenyatta. Meetings were being held at DeMathew’s Mukurwe home in Gatanga, Blue Springs Hotel and Metro Fill in Thika town.

De’Mathew died on Sunday night after his vehicle rammed a trailer. He was driving home.He had left a Thika hotel and was driving his Nissan Navara double cab pick-up when he rammed the trailer.

In 2015, DeMathew celebrated 30 years of music at the Thika Stadium, in a colourful event attended by then Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. He was charged for hate speech in 2012 because of lyrics deemed by the state is inciting disaffection.

John DeMathew was born in Gathiruini, Gatanga Constituency. He is the fourth born in a family of eight, he started composing songs while in class and was popularly known as Baba Shiko. He derived his stage name from his first name John and his father’s name Mathew.

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