Atheist mugiithi star Kioi Junior laid to rest
The late Mugiithi artiste, Gibson Kioi Wairimu, was laid to rest in his hometown of Kambiti, in Murang’a County.
The burial drew attendance from prominent figures in the Kikuyu music industry.
News of his demise was shared by fellow Kikuyu musicians on Tuesday, after his passing on Monday, April 29, while undergoing treatment at the KU Referral Hospital, where he had been hospitalised.
During his burial ceremony, Pastor Man Kush spoke in defence of his friend, asserting that despite controversial statements suggesting otherwise, Kioi was a Christian.
“My message to Kioi’s family is not to listen to the ongoing debate about your son. Your work was to raise him and not to make decisions of what he believed in. I can defend him because I believe what he was speaking was not what believed. Whatever he said online is nobody’s business. Let us embrace him for who he was,” said Man Kush.
In 2020, Kioi Junior made headlines when he openly declared himself an atheist, denying the existence of both God and Satan.
The musician’s journey in music began back in 2008, and by the age of 15 he had already begun to question the existence of God.
During a heated debate on Gukena FM, Kioi expressed his disbelief in supernatural powers, despite being brought up in a religious home.
He argued that Christianity had led him to atheism, dismissing it as an ancient fantasy dating back to 2000 BC.
However, he admitted to singing about God to entertain his audience, stating:
“I live as if there is no God and I don’t think people should lie to themselves. All I need is proof that either God or Satan exists. Faith is ignorance”.
Kioi Junior was a member of the Global Atheist Republic, based in the USA.
He claimed that nothing could be known about the existence or nature of God.
“You have to read the Bible with an open mind to become an atheist. I read it and decided not to accept the lies in it. I find atheists more genuine than believers, especially in business. I have even convinced some of my friends to become atheists,” Kioi added.
Who was Kioi Junior?
The Late Kioi trained as a guitarist and joined his uncle’s band (Kamande wa Kioi).
They worked together for a long period until he was able to stand on his own feet as an artist.
He later formed a music group, Orchestra Kambiti Boys Band, and releasing Hit songs: Suicide Note, Hypothermia and many more.
On April 28, 2024, he suddenly fell ill and was rushed to Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital where he received first aid and was later referred to KU Referral Hospital where he was admitted and received treatment until his death.
The singer was 37 years old. He has left behind a daughter, Ritah Wairimu.
Among those who attended Kioi Junior’s burial are Ben Githae, Eddie Githae, Samidoh, MCA Gathee Wa Njeri, Tonnie Young and Njogu Wa Njoroge.