News of music icon death has been received with a lot of shock and sadness.
DeMathew was driving from an event hosted by his fellow musician Peter Kigia. It was a harambee.
The music legend rammed into the back of a truck along Thika road, near Blue Post.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at Thika Nursing Home.
At the time of the accident, he was alone in the car.
In one of his songs, DeMathew sung, "Moyo ti kibandi. Life is not like an identity card that when it lost you can get another one!"
Watch the music video below.
DeMathew has left a big hole in many fans' hearts. One of whom is Starehe MP Charles 'Jaguar' Njagua.
Paying tribute to the fallen star, Jaguar tweeted,
"While growing up, I listened to a lot to John De Mathew. His music inspired me greatly to become the musician I am today."
The musician turned politician added, "I am deeply saddened by his untimely demise following a tragic road accident today (Sunday night). May His soul rest well in eternal peace. #ripDeMathew."
Gatundu MP Moses Kuria also paid tribute saying, "John was not an artist. I have always referred to him as a modern Kikuyu prophet."
Others who have sent in their are as below...
Rest In Peace John De Mathew. For almost 3 months we spent time together bringing out the vote in the vast Mt Kenya region two years ago under the uhuruto express banner. A great legend, who we all listened to with your popular hits since childhood. Rest In Peace.
Wee Githii....
— Isaac Mwaura CBS MP (@MwauraIsaac1)
If there was something that John De'Mathew was good at, it was addressing social, economic and political challenges facing the locals in his music.
Mbeú Njíthí was one great song addressing the alcoholism problem among the Kikuyu men (and especially young men).
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