Smoking costs ‘Dereva Chunga Maisha’ hit singer a foot

Musician Sam Muthee, now confined to a wheelchair.

More than two-and-a-half decades ago, his authoritative voice ruled the airwaves. His hit single was inescapable in a majority of Kenyan households that had radio sets. It was the voice of reason, which scolded and cajoled drivers on the road to be vigilant.

Appropriately titled “Dereva Chunga Maisha” (Driver preserve life), Sam Muthee’s most popular hit became like the national anthem for road safety campaigners.