Kenyan musicians died at 33
Here are 2 famous musicians from Kenya died at 33:
Benson Masya
Benson Masya (May 14, 1970-September 24, 2003) was a Kenyan personality.
He was a renowned long-distance runner who participated in various international marathons and road races. Benson was born and raised in Machakos, Kenya, and began his running career in high school. He went on to become a dominant force in the world of athletics, winning several prestigious titles, including the Paris Marathon in 1999 and the Berlin Marathon in 2000.
Apart from his athletic success, Benson was also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Benson Masya Foundation in 2000, which aimed to provide education and healthcare to children in rural Kenya. Through his foundation, Benson also organized various sports events to promote sports in the country.
Tragically, Benson Masya passed away at the age of 33 in a car accident near his home in Nairobi. His legacy continues to live on through his athletic achievements and philanthropic work, and he remains a role model for aspiring athletes in Kenya and around the world.
Benson Masya was the fourth Kenyan to win the Paris Marathon, which he accomplished in 1999 with a personal best time of 2:08:18. He also won the Rome City Marathon in 2001 and finished in second place in the Rotterdam Marathon in 2002. His dedication to long-distance running earned him the title of the "pioneer of Kenyan athletics in Europe." As an ambassador of athletics in Kenya, Benson was a household name and inspired various young athletes around the country to take up long-distance running.
Apart from his sports career, Benson was also recognized for his contribution to charity work. In addition to the Benson Masya Foundation, he was also associated with the Kenya Red Cross Society and campaigned on issues such as HIV/AIDs awareness and prevention. His philanthropic work was recognized at the national level, and he was posthumously awarded the Head of State Commendation by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.
Benson Masya's death was a huge loss to the Kenyan athletics community and left a deep void in the hearts of many people. Today, his legacies live on, and he remains a significant figure in Kenyan sports history. The Benson Masya Memorial Marathon is held annually to honor his contribution to athletics and charity work.
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Mbiyu Koinange
Mbiyu Koinange (April 5, 2015 Kiambu County-September 2, 1981 Nairobi) was a Kenyan personality.
He was a prominent politician and one of the founding fathers of Kenya. Koinange played a key role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He was among the few Kenyans who were educated abroad at a time when education was not widely available in the country.
Koinange was also a prolific writer and authored several books, including the bestseller "The Kenyatta Succession" which chronicled the events leading up to the succession of Jomo Kenyatta as Kenya's first president. He was also a journalist and worked as the editor of the African Standard newspaper.
Despite his role in the independence struggle, Koinange's legacy has been marred by allegations of his collaboration with the British colonial government during the Mau Mau uprising. He was accused of betraying some of the Mau Mau fighters and providing information to the colonial authorities. These accusations have been disputed by some of his supporters and family members.
Koinange's political career flourished after Kenya attained independence in 1963. He was a member of the first Kenyan parliament and served as a cabinet minister in various capacities, including as Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, and Minister of State in the President's office. Koinange was a close ally of President Kenyatta and was instrumental in shaping the country's political landscape in the early years of independence.
Apart from his political and literary pursuits, Koinange was also a philanthropist and a champion of education in Kenya. He played a key role in the establishment of the Kiambu High School, his alma mater, and was a strong advocate for the education of girls in Kenya.
Koinange was also a key figure in the formation of the African Heritage Pan African Galleries, a cultural institution that promotes African art and heritage across the world. He worked closely with its founder, Alan Donovan, to build a collection of African art that is now considered one of the most important in the world.
Koinange died in 1981 at the age of 76, leaving behind a rich legacy as a statesman, writer, journalist, and philanthropist. His contributions to Kenya's struggle for independence and his efforts to shape the country's political and cultural landscape continue to inspire generations of Kenyans.
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