Leaders mourn musicians who perished in tragic accident

 The wreckage of the Probox car they were travelling in

 

The artistes were going to perform in Ilot when tragedy struck Baringo Senator Gideon Moi says country has lost budding stars who were using their talent to entertain and educate the society.

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Producer and DJ Daniel Manoah was overwhelmed with grief as he recalled the last moments he spent with seven artistes who died in a car crash on Saturday.

The musicians were planning to make a killing this festive season by holding several performances.

Their plans were, however, nipped in the bud when their young lives were snuffed out along Nakuru-Eldoret road when they were involved in a grisly road accident at Kamara.

Kalenjin singer Weldon Cheruiyot known by his stage name Kenene and six others were travelling in a Probox from Kericho town to perform in Ilot in Equator.

“The festive season had started well with our fans sending us numerous invitations. However, death has cut short our dreams. I cannot believe the artistes and dancers are dead,” said Mr Manoah.

Kenene's death is a blow to the Kalenjin music fraternity which has lost three big stars in two years; the others are Samwel Kipkemoi Sang and Diana Chelele.

Several leaders yesterday came out to mourn the fallen artistes.

President Uhuru Kenyatta condoled with the families, relatives and friends of the artistes.

He said the accident had cut short the lives of talented youths who had a promising future.

 Friends and relatives mourn the deceased

He called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to step up their efforts to ensure motorists obey traffic safety rules.

Deputy President William Ruto also condoled with the families saying the community had lost talented youths.

“Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Weldon Cheruiyot of Kenene International and his troupe following a tragic road crash last evening,” Ruto tweeted.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi said the community had lost budding stars who were using their talent not only to entertain but also educate the society.

"It is a big loss to the country and the community to lose such talented individuals. I pray to God to give the families and the community at large necessary fortitude to bear the loss," he said.

Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso said: “I have received the news of the death of six Musicians from Bomet County in an accident last night on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway with shock and dismay.”

“I have instructed government officers to assess the immediate needs and respond accordingly even before a funeral committee is put in place,” She added.

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwong, MPs Gideon Koskei (Chepalungu), Ronald Tonui (Bomet Central), Beatrice Kones (Bomet East), Dominic Koskei (Sotik) and Brighton Yegon (Konoin) in a joint statement said the death of the artistes was as a blow to the community.

“These are people who have been shaping the society through entertainment and educative music,” the MPs said in the joint statement.