Kenyan celebrities who cheated death (Part 1)

While death lurks at every corner there are those who live to tell the tale. A number of local celebs who have had hair-raising experiences that shaped their perception of life.

Hardly a few weeks ago Kamba’s King of Benga music Ken Wa Maria singer was involved in a grisly accident on his way to Ruiru town for a show. According to the musician who is stable and currently undergoing his physiotherapy sessions:  “My survival is a miracle from heaven. If it wasn’t for God, he wouldn’t be alive,” he says.

But he is not alone.

Gospel singer Daddy Owen two tied the knot two weeks ago to her long time sweetheart Farida Wambui is no exception. Although many people assume he has a natural squint in one of his eyes, but it isn’t. It happened from a harrowing experience.

"At the time my family lived in Eastland’s sprawling Umoja estate. I was among a gang of five known to terrorize residents despite my parent’s advice to reform. But, I needed money to use during my countless outings being a reggae fanatic," he admits.

Even as his gang members ended up being killed one by one, he was determined to continue with his carefree lifestyle. He joined another gang. But then like the saying goes; a thief has only 40 days to live. Owen almost lost his life along Church House building near the Bomb blast site in Nairobi, where he was lynched by a huge crowd as he attempted to pickpocket a pedestrian.

"It all happened in a split second. All I remember was lying down surrounded by a huge crowd who beat me up mercilessly. One poked my eyes using a sharp instrument. Meanwhile, I could hear the rest urging someone to bring a car tyre to burn me alive."

"Those were the longest minutes of my life," he says. Then miraculously his brother Rufftone and Big Ted came just in time to rescue him from imminent death.

"Apparently someone who knew my family called Rufftone." Upon arrival the two could hardly believe their eyes. Rufftone explains he could hardly recognise his brother, as he was soaked in blood. Without wasting time they rushed him to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital Eye Unit. He was admitted for a week and underwent an eye operation. What followed afterwards was amazing. Daddy Owen begun showing signs of reforming.

"He shunned his bad company and would spend most of his time with me in the studio during the recording of my Mwikhulu album. We even did a song together dubbed By My Side," says Rufftone.

Nameless

The multiple awards winner has been a cat with nine lives judging by the number of mishaps he has been through.

Take an extreme case where he and the late E-Sir were involved in a car accident along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway in 2003. They were returning to Nairobi after performing at the Miss Tourism (Nakuru chapter) pageant. Their Mitsubishi Pajero lost control and rolled several times, killing E-Sir and a friend while Nameless escaped with minor injuries. "I was seated at the back in the middle with no seat belt and as a result my survival remains a miracle. At that point I kept praying and holding on hard to the front seat," says Nameless.

He says the first thing he did was to feel his limbs before crawling out of the car only to realise he had dislocated his shoulder. At that moment his mind went blank- and he could think of nothing. Nameless adds that each day he has to wake up to the reality that his pals are no more. "It’s like a bad dream to lose people close to you," he says, almost overcome with emotion. So what has changed?

According to Nameless, a lot. "I realise how important life is and the fact that it is a gift from God. We need to treasure every bit of it because you never know when it will come to an end. I owe my life to God because he has seen me through the rough times," he added. To the youth he says; it is important for one to strive and leave behind a good legacy for people to remember you. Life is precious and it is important that you cherish it by leading a positive one."