Kikuyu Mugithi singer Samwel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, yesterday, Saturday, March 15, 2025, moved mourners at the funeral of his foster dad, Colonel James Gitahi, as he reminisced about the unwavering love and fatherly guidance he had received from him.
Speaking during the burial, which was happening in Maanzoni, Samidoh spoke at length about the memories they shared and told mourners how their last day together, a Tuesday, had been jovial, with neither of them knowing what was about to transpire.
The ‘Toxic Love’ hitmaker noted that he had, on that day, brought Gitahi a gift that he had cherished so much and that they had continued to have a great bonding moment.
“It was my custom to visit him here in Maanzoni or in Nyali, and recently, I was visiting him every Tuesday. I remember the Tuesday before the fateful day. I had come home from work. I had bought him something—little did I know it would be the last time.”
He recalled that Gitahi, who had taken him in following the death of his own father years back, stepped out of the house the moment he heard the gate bang and welcomed him, showing excitement that he was going to spend the rest of the day with him.
Samidoh told mourners that, on that particular day, Gitahi had shared with him how he disliked politicians, his bosses at the police, and other stories as he relished the moment they were having together.
He then recalled that he was shocked to hear the next day that Gitahi had died and shared how broken he felt, as he had considered him his true father, and Gitahi had treated him exactly as a father would have.
“As was his norm, he stepped outside the moment he heard the gate bang. I saluted him, and in a playful way, he started inspecting my uniform and my name tag. He began teasing me about how my bosses love adding so many titles to their name tags in the police. Then he mentioned one of my bosses and made a comment you wouldn’t find in the military. He was a great storyteller. His stories were mostly about aviation or something he had read in the newspaper. I remember one time he was telling me how ridiculous politicians can be, and I found myself in a dilemma, unsure how to respond, bearing in mind his wife—my mom—was one.”
Despite his grief, Samidoh insisted that he would not let Gitahi down and that he would carry on his legacy and keep abiding by the lessons he had taught him in honour of his beautiful soul.
“You may no longer be here, but your legacy lives in my heart. The lessons you taught. You were a real dad in all manners. Rest well, Dad.”
Death announcement
Earlier on March 7, 2025, when the news of Gitahi’s death was announced, Samidoh also came out to share his tribute, saying he was finding it hard to believe it.
Then, the Urumwe Mbere lyricist mourned Nguyo as a man who took him under his wings and mentored him in life.
“Today has been a hard one, receiving the worst news. A man who took me in as his own, cared for me, and shared the best conversations and worldviews with me is no more,” Samidoh remarked.
“Dad, it’s still unbelievable. I’ll miss your fatherly advice and your soft-spoken nature. Fly high, Colonel (Rtd) James Gitahi.”
Burst into flames
At the time of his death, Nguyo was married to nominated Senator Betty Batuli Montet.
His vehicle veered off the road from the impact of the head-on collision and burst into flames as onlookers stared from a distance.
In the aftermath, Nguyo was burnt beyond recognition and trapped in the wreckage of his car. Authorities revealed that the veteran pilot was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
In an earlier interview during his retirement party, Nguyo reminded his close family, friends, and colleagues about gratitude, noting that tomorrow is not promised.
“Every time you breathe, give thanks to God because you do not know what is in store for you,” he implored.
The retired army colonel prided himself on having flown two sitting presidents during his more than 44 years in the skies. After retiring from the army, Nguyo continued flying commercial fixed-wing aircraft at Wilson Airport and coaching upcoming pilots.
