The entertainment industry has been hit hard in the last few years after the death of popular personalities who were at the prime of their careers.

Below is a list of the stars who are now smiling down on us.

Jastorina

Nancy Nyambura who is popularly known as Jastorina, the funny house help on Citizen TV program Jastorina, breathed her last on Saturday, July 26, 2014.

She succumbed to meningitis which she had been fighting for some time. She left behind two sons.

Salim Junior

He was loved by the young and the old for his great hits which he sang in his vernacular language, Kikuyu.

Salim Junior, born Paul Mwangi, died in August  2018 while undergoing treatment at the Nakuru Memorial Hospital.

According to his family, the entertainer had not been in good health for some time.

The late Salim Junior’s siblings are also renowned Mugithi artistes. They include Mighty Salim, Sarafina Salim and their last born, 25-year-old Salim Young.

Ayeiya

Emmanuel Makori Nyambane known to many as Ayeiya breathed his last in April 2018 after a road accident.

On a fateful day he had just completed a Churchill Live Recording at Carnivore Restaurant and was headed back home when a road accident on Langata Road happened.

The accident occurred near Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). He died on the spot.

He was travelling in the company of his wife, actor Maina Olwenya, comedian Paul Wakimani Ogutu and a friend.

Big Kev

Event organiser Big Kev, born Kevin Ombajo, died after a long battle with a brain tumour that did not respond to numerous surgeries and treatment.

Big Kev, who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2010, died on July 29 at the Nairobi Hospital where he was admitted since February 2017.

Prior to his death, the founder of True Blaq Events had undergone 14 surgeries to remove the tumour, with one of the surgical operations performed in India in October 2016.

The last surgical operation performed on him was at the Nairobi Hospital on February 3, 2017. His death dealt a great blow to the entertainment industry.

Maureen Wanza

In late September, Kenyans woke up to the news of the demise of popular Kenyan actress Maureen Wanza.

She played the role as Sasha in the Swahili program Sumu, and also cast in Almasi including several operas that have aired on Kenyan TV.

Wanza died at a Kilifi hospital while giving birth; her baby also died in the process. All this during the nurse's strike that lasted 100 days.

“She bled to death. Unfortunately, her baby also died minutes later,” said Ashiners Films, CEO Ann Hamburg

Kone Nouhoum

His death shocked many. Kone who was an actor had been in ICU at the Nairobi Hospital after an accident at the Naivasha Geothermal Site.

He had undergone several surgeries due to an injury on his spine. Kone later succumbed to his injuries months later.

Jamal Gaddafi

Jamal Nassul Gaddafi died last year after he succumbed to stab wounds inflicted by an alleged lover.