Staying alive

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

Daddy Owen

Many people assume Daddy Owen has a natural squint in one of his eyes, but it isn’t. It happened from a harrowing experience.

Watching his latest video Dakika Tatu, he appears to drop hints as to what transpired leading to his injury. In the video, one will notice the brutal acts of beatings set upon him, as he appears helpless in need of urgent medical attention.

Nameless

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."

Big Kev

One of Kenya’s top entertainers has been in and out of the hospital since 2010.

The burly emcee suffers from brain tumour. Last Saturday he was rushed to the hospital after he blacked out in the presence of Big Ted and singer Wahu who had gone to visit him in his house.

"Although I underwent my first surgery in February 2010, in India, the tumour seems to have grown back. However, after my second treatment abroad I was advised that it would take longer for the tumour to disappear," he says.

But despite this, Big Kev is determined to move on with his life as usual choosing to view the situation as a ‘passing cloud’.

" I am already back to doing what I’m used to with many more to come. I intend to continue emceeing in corporate functions," says Kev, adding that he believes it is a matter of time before he fully recovers.

Big Kev has to walk for one hour daily to stay fit and healthy.

　

Fanuel Odera aka FANYA

Popular thespian and reggae host Fanuel Odera (Fanya) aka Junior Dread had to bid time fighting for his life at Kenyatta National Hospital after he was involved in tragic road accident, which saw musician Chris Adwar’s sister Nancy Adwar succumb to injuries last year.

The celebrated actor who was in the car with four other occupants injured his spine and had to remain confined to his bed for a long time. But after months of physiotherapy and medication Fanya today is doing well and back to work fully.

For him, this is the second chance in life, which he intends to make the very best of.

"It is sad that most of us take life for granted until it is too late. The incident made me realise that death can come at any time and it is important that we are prepared at all times."

Fanya rose to fame in the late 1990s as polished actor featuring in the Erastus Owuor led Falaki Arts and later Heartstrings Ensemble. He formed the inaugural Fanya and Family comedy group that boasted of Nyambane, Tony Njuguna and KJ before the trio decamped and formed Redykyulass troupe.

Edward Kwach & Pilipili

Two years ago singer Pilipili and Edward Kwach were involved in an accident in Voi on their way to Mombasa. According to them, they were victims of reckless driving by another motorist.

According to Kwach it was well until when they noticed a speeding Mercedes trying to overtake their vehicle at a sharp corner. Before they knew it, the two vehicles collided. Two passengers from the other party died. The driver chauffeuring the trio fractured his knees, while they just suffered minor injuries. Kwach said that he was initially angry at the driver for the incident but, he later realised that there was no point in harbouring hard feelings against him considering he had survived.

Big Pin

The ‘Beast from the East’, Big Pin, has also had a close shave with death. Gangsters shot him in the arm a few years ago and left him for dead. The singer lived to tell the tale after his mother returned home, found him and rushed him to hospital.

"I remember I was watching TV when five strangers drove into our compound in Greenfield’s Estate and demanded to see my mother," he says.

Big Pin says before he could give them an answer, one of the robbers ran out of patience and shot him in the arm. They then ransacked the house and took off.

"I was admitted to a Nairobi hospital where I was attended to and discharged after a few weeks," he recalls.

And again, the rapper almost brushed shoulders with death when the flight Nameless and he were flying in got involved in a mishap. The two were on a flight from Malindi when the weather conspired against a smooth landing as thick clouds and stormy rains pounded the city.

Passengers were tense as the plane circled Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for over 20 minutes, attempting to land, but in vain. To their relief the captain announced that the plane was being rerouted to Mombasa.

Muthoni Bwika and Laura Walubengo

Former radio presenter Muthoni Bwika is lucky to be alive today. She and Laura Walubengo were once involved in a car-jacking drama in 2010 around Valley Arcade area, Nairobi.

Armed gangsters approached them and demanded the car, but Muthoni —who was the one at the wheel—declined. What followed was harrowing as one of the gangsters, running out of patience, pointed a gun at her head — and coldly pulled the trigger. Thankfully, the gun did not fire.

After a while, the reality of the horrific drama dawned on them. They began screaming at the top of their voices — attracting attention from all over the place and scaring away the robbers. The robbers, as they escaped on foot shot in the air. This time round, the gun spat live bullets. That was as close as you can get to live to tell the story.