Renowned Kikuyu musician Albert Gacheru has died at the Kenyatta National Hospital following a long illness.
Gacheru's death was first announced by Kameme FM on Tuesday, March 6.
The musician is famed for the song Mwenda wakwa marirũ, which was a hit in the 1990s. Part of the song's lyrics, Gacheru had indicated that most people appreciated their loved ones when they had died rather than when they are still alive.
Other songs he has composed include; Mumunya, Hurry Hurry Waithera, Nindaguteire, Indo ciakwa among others.
The songs placed Gacheru on the map both locally and internationally, having been played by foreign radio stations including Voice of America.
In a bid to curb pirating of his songs, Gacheru enrolled for a law degree at Mount Kenya University at the age of 50. He graduated and went the Kenya School of Law in 2016.
“I realised that this country has enough laws but few people, even those in business, understand the laws that relate to their businesses. I want to bring about a change in the laws governing copyright and social economic affairs of the country,” he stated in a previous interview.
It is not clear, however, if Gacheru got to practice law or not.
Through his record label, Wamaitu Productions, the deceased helped produce musicians such as the late John DeMatthew and Queen Jane, Shari Martin and Mary Wambui.
Below is the song Mariru;
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