Kenyan’s Mourn Death of Afro-Jazz Queen Achieng Abura

Many Kenyans are mourning the untimely death of popular Afro-jazz queen and former reality TV celebrity Achieng Abura. The former Tusker Project Fame judge died on October 20th at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was admitted a week earlier after falling ill,  according to the Standard.

A close family source revealed that the celebrated musician had been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after her condition deteriorated.

Kenyans learned with shock of Abura’s demise through musician Suzzana Owiyo’s Facebook page:

Earlier this month, Abura informed her fans through social media that she was not feeling well and that her doctor had advised her to add more weight and then lose it through exercise.

The Star reports that Abura was being treated for depression and gastritis at the hospital’s private wing.

Queen of Afro-Jazz

Abura started her career as a gospel artist, releasing her first album, I Believe, in 1990, which was followed by Way Over Yonder and Sulwe.

In 2002, Abura switched to Afro-jazz and released her most popular album Maisha. Her last album, Dhahabu Yangu, was released in 2007.

In 2004, she won the Kora Award for the Best East African Female Artist, which she shared with Ethiopia’s Tsedenia Gebremarkos.

She also served as a United Nations Development Program goodwill ambassador and belonged to “Divas of the Nile,” a super-group of Kenyan female musicians that included Suzzana Owiyo, Mercy Myra, and Princess Jully.

Messages of Condolence

Kenyans have taken to social media to express their shock and to pay tribute to Abura.

Former Kenyan Vice President and current opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka sent his condolences to Abura’s family via his Facebook page: