I have not been blogging for a while, 2 months to be precise. I have an extremely busy schedule, work on-call and I also work outside normal hours. I have also been studying for Solaris exams (a requirement for my line of work) and I’m not prepared in anyway despite the fact that my exam is in 2 weeks.
I then decided to take a deserved break, and took a trip with some pals to the west coast of Ireland…went to a town called Sligo. It’s a pretty, modern and buzzing town with loads of tourists (especially in Summer). We took a tour of the town, went to the beach and watched the sunset…now that is not meant to sound romantic because this was a group of people who are just friends with no attachments. We also managed to go to a waterfall…can’t remember it’s name but it was a pretty site. After our day of touring, we went back to the hotel, changed into the right gear…men took half an hour max to shower and dress up for the evening. The ladies took 3 hours, which is something I always complain about but I know will never change. We proceeded to a restaurant called the Fiddlers and had a lovely dinner. We then proceeded to the biggest joint in town…”The Velvet Room”. Groove surely got his groove on and I really had a nice time. That was the first club I’ve been to outside Dublin that plays some decent Hip Hop, RnB, ragga…or as Common (Sense) said it on his song “6th Sense” in his High Acclaimed album “Like Water for Chocolate”, rap for the black people.
The night went on and I grew tired and my vison got blurred and I knew it was time to go to bed. I gathered the troops and we headed back to the hotel. I slept as soon as my head hit the pillow and this is where the real story behind this post starts. My bro had called me earlier during the day and he told me that he was heading to some Huge EA party in Westlands and all his pals/my pals were gonna be there. I told him to enjoy himself and say a big wassup to the gang. Whenever my bro calls me I get very homesick and wish I was back in Kenya enjoying the sun and people.
When I woke up Sunday (yesterday) morning, instinct told me to check my phone. I saw a missed call and a txt message. I quickly read the txt message and it said, “I dunno if your bro has told you, Andrew died in a car accident this morning, his wife is in hospital”…I was in shock and I couldn’t stop the tears. Andrew is a very good friend of mine. He was there for me in every way when I was in Kenya, we were in the same high school, went to the rave together, even when I was
going to study in UK he was there at the airport to see me off. Andrew’s brother Nick is my best friend. Basically the txt left me in shock, not knowing that to tell Nick if I called him, how would I console him, how would I console the family and I’m so far. Andrew was yet to hit the big 30. He had a wife, bubbly kids and was doing his thing….why did he have to leave the world in such a cruel way? I though about his kids, his wife…I just can’t stop thinking.
I tend to ignore when people say that life is short…it really is.
God gives, and takes…I know Andrew is in a better place, where there is no Velvet Room, no war, no conflict, no sorrow….
Rest in Peace, Andrew Kanyi
acolyte said,
August 28, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Pole sana.I think you can offer the family your support and prayers, thats the most you can do.Once again, pole sana.
egm said,
August 28, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Pole sana. I, too, lost a good friend earlier this year, and it was just as hard. The best I could do at the time was to call his parents and just let them know I was thinking of them. Like you say, life is short.
kabinti said,
August 29, 2006 at 3:45 am
may he R.I.P….
Half 'n' Half said,
August 29, 2006 at 8:28 am
Pole sana. Fate can indeed be cruel. May Andrew R.I.P.
groove said,
August 29, 2006 at 10:34 am
I wanna thank all of you for your messages of consolation…it is indeed a very tough time for me…ahsanteni na mbarikiwe.
Mocha! said,
August 29, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Hey Groove!!!
Sorry to hear about your pal. I know exactly how you feel and knowing you will never see them again, esp when you are home to visit and expect them to be there to enjoy and catch up.
Life is indeed short………and only God knows what he has planned for yours. I am sure he is in a wonderful place.
My deepest sympathies to his family.
RIP Andrew!!!
Mocha! said,
August 29, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Forgot to mention…..when you land this sides, we will liase in the usual spot.
Lunch is on me!!!
groove said,
August 29, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Thanks Mocha!….see you on the 9th..
bob said,
August 30, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Its so sad to hear about our friend Kanyi…..I was just home in feb and we hang out a couple of times. It came so soon it wasn’t xpected but ni mambo ya mwenyezi mungu. RIP kanyi tutakutana mbele……..
samu said,
August 30, 2006 at 10:30 pm
I just dont know where to begin,it’s really a big shock on the event’s which occurred .Andrew kanyi (DRE) and myself grew in the same neighbourhood ,all i can say is God gives and takes .May God bless Kanyi’s soul and may he be granted eternal peace.
DRE WE MISS YOU (you may not be with us in person but we know you are with us in spirit .)
samu
njambi said,
August 31, 2006 at 12:28 am
As you said, Kanyi is in a better place in eternal peace… …a precious treasure in our hearts… …fond memories…
Pato’s (Kanyi Jnr) cheeky smile makes us remember his Daddy who has gone before us. It was a pleasure to know him – to laugh together, to talk serious business, to plan for the future of our families, to dream; just to be.
Lakini the tears are bitter for those who loved him and whom he loved!! Black Sunday, what darkness!!
Dre, thank you for the good times, tuonane mbele.
Kamau said,
August 31, 2006 at 12:38 am
Maze kanyi we trained together, we drunk together and now we fall together. One love Mr. kenya as I always called you…………..R.I.P Kanyi
Yvonne said,
August 31, 2006 at 10:32 am
Don’t cry because he’s gone away. But smile because you knew him and that was a priviledge.
Books, Carnival, Rugby and Websites « My Life is…Mochalicious! said,
August 31, 2006 at 3:51 pm
[...] On a sad note, Groove lost one of his best mates in Nairobi. So, please if you haven’t done so, visit his blog and do the needful. [...]
Mane said,
September 3, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Wsup, I was to meet up Andrew, his wife Maggie, Nick and his chick Lydia at the EA Bash, but it rained so I was holed up at soho’s for a while. I feel bad that we didn’t meet and say good bye…the funeral was very very tearful; for close pals, we even had t-shirts, on the front was “Kanyi”, and on the back was, “forever in our hearts”. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
nicko said,
September 10, 2006 at 5:31 pm
andrew was my bro and i was with him that fateful day. we had gone for a concert and he really enjoyed it, esp the TZ guys. i remember the moment when i had my chick up on my shoulders and i turned and shouted his name and he turned and lifted up his pilsner in acknowledgement. i’ll never forget that moment and the many more we have shared growing up. we love u dre and we miss u.see u in heaven bro and pray for us
Izoh said,
September 10, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Hi Groove,
Thanks for all the comments thats on this site, Dre was a dear brother to each one of us that we often fall short of words to express our heartful thoughts, but lets learn and act to each minute we meet a Friend, lets give each other a sincere smile, and leave it in someones heart. Imagine you have a minute, just a minute,a tiny little minute, you didn’t deserve, never asked for it,but destiny is in it.God Bless you all.
Boflo, R.I.P.
Izoh.
Memorial, London and Fog « My Life is…Mochalicious! said,
September 13, 2006 at 9:58 am
[...] You all remember Groove blogging about his pal’s passing. Well this past weekend, seeing that he was in town, Groove and I and a couple of friends went to his memorial which was being held in London. [...]
Nix said,
September 19, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Black Sunday indeed.
Am sure we can all agree its harder to maintain old friends than to make new ones. The fact that Kanyi kept a close personal friendship with his childhood pals, even after close to a decade since they moved house, was something special. I grew up in the same neighbourhood as Kanyi. I recall the past new year’s eve, me and a couple of neighbours decided to have a miniature ‘babaqueque’ and Kanyi showed up in the middle of the night to usher in the new year with us instead of his usual out of town rendevous.
Kanyi, we miss you. Lala salama.
CAROL said,
September 21, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Andrew dropped my bro Mose diggz before him n wifey went for the EA concert,we chatted kidogo then i was picked up to go for a concert that i was performing at… …that was the last time i saw him.I thank God for that moment.
Lets all just remember the happy times we shared with him……..lemmi rephrase that,THE MANY HAPPY TIMES WE SHARED WITH HIM!!!!!!! As for his family and pals…TUKOPAMOJA!!
Eternal rest,grant unto Andrew O LORD and may perpetual light shine upon HIM.
WE MISS YOU DRE
samu said,
September 23, 2006 at 2:20 am
miss you loads bro i cant forget the nyama choma we used to share,u met so much dre i miss you God bless you for all you did for me and may he rest your soul in eternal peace.
most love
samu
costa said,
September 23, 2006 at 11:29 am
Kanyi was my cousin. Loved him big. he had a big heart to match his big personality. His presence was always felt and even now it still is. like niko says “tunamiss makelele ya kanyi”. A person that touches your life like he touched mine never leaves you. Your time with us was painfully short but your memory lives on. My deepest condolences to maggie, pato,mum, niko,anto,richo, maureen and all family n friends. To everyone thanks for your prayers and messages of encouragement and support. God bless you all.
Kanyi may not be with us but he is only sleeping.see you soon bro.
ps: thanks noel for hosting this site. Barikiwa
costa
costa said,
September 23, 2006 at 12:44 pm
so when we look up in my life its plain to see
that its never gonna be the same
take another step and walk towards my destiny
But your memory still remains
Deep in my brain and my soul i hold the key
said its never gonna be the same
Throughout life and beyond all eternity
We keep burning up the flame
wish i could rewind dre’s end of time
And bring back God’s gone great bredren of mine
Just remember all the things that we spoke of
All the secret things and things that we made joke of.
say i cant believe that they took your life away,
When those who pull a trigger cannot take away
But because i am righteous with jah jah
I Know i will see again my brother
R.I.P kanyi
ezzy said,
September 28, 2006 at 8:43 am
wasup pips,
i’m sure all of you know kanyi had thing with people birthdays. he would just showup at your digz or place of work & give you a bear hug, or crack you up with his silly jokes.
i surely will miss that dude & he will alway be in my heart,
may th good lord rest him in enternal peace.
kinyua said,
November 1, 2006 at 11:46 am
for all those who knew kanyi, they have lost something. kanyi you will always remain in our hearts. may the lord rest your soul in eternal peace
Warigi said,
November 13, 2006 at 6:53 am
wasup ya’ll
I try take life as a plate of food..you choose the recipe n cook it to your taste. Dre surely had a big plate ..he ate right and still shared all that was left to all who could spell out his name.You mentored us in your own special way..n yes yu r still alive in our hearts..Say a big Wasup to guys in heaven.
Justine Kanyi said,
November 16, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Dre was my cuz, you know how much i loved your bro, he always called me “my daughter” i miss my dad. he was there for me when i lost my bro, he was special and we all loved him. i remember i talked to him earlier that week, i had promised to call him that sunday coz it was my birthday, he had made me promise to call. Although i wasnt there with you guys, i prayed for you.it gave me peace to know he’s hanging out with my bro. i miss them both u know.he’s my angel now.
i hope to see him soon. when i come home, i’ll come over. say hi to kila mtu, mum, maggie and kids. pole sana.
shiru
smothyz said,
March 31, 2007 at 10:55 am
kanyi was my cuz sad i wasn’t around when he crossed the river..i must say it was shocking…guess i din’t really expect it thot he would stick around for a lil’ bit longer but God had other plans……’twas an honour to have him as a cuz n to have him around was a blessing.
my heart goes out to his family and friends b’coz am sure they all miss him so do i but it was his time..he had served his purpose and God had to take him to go rest and take his place in heaven coz i b’liev thats where he is.
rest in peace..this ain’t a goodbye its a goodnight coz i b’liev we shall see each other again.Mapenzi tele
Cecilia said,
April 1, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Dre was my cuz too, can’t quite explain his character reason being it was too big. Too big a heart, too much love. I do not think I will ever comes to terms with his leaving, my only consolation is that he is in a bigger and happier place. He’s been there for me when I needed him, he loved his family and freinds. I miss you, will always be in my heart, rest in peace, till we meet again. Biggup to Niko, Samu, Costa, Asha and Justine,love you all.
Peter said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I was just about to go in for mass on that fateful sunday when Nico called me and asked to talk to my dad. I told him i had left my dad at home and i was just about to go in for mass….. somehow i noted some tension in his voice. i asked him what was cutting but he said he wanted to talk to my Dad. Since i was with my mum, i gave her the phone and she talked to Nico’s bro, Richard. He asked us to turn around, drive home to my dad, then we go over to their digz in Kiambu. i knew something was wrong..so when we got home, my dad came to meet us as we parked, he paused for a while and said…’ Kanyi is gone’ …..those words cut through my heart so badly..i coudn’t believe it so i immediately left for a walk..all i could say is..dre..dre..whats happening….?it took time but i had to accept that one of the best people i have ever known was no more. Dre was my cousin, was such a jewel, loved life, loved people, very caring, always had a way of smiling and making one laugh and smile anytime, anywhere. i always turned to him for advice, cool vibe, going out n having fun..he was God-given. when my bro passed on, Dre was there every minute for the next five and a half years before he went to be with my bro(Clement). I think of them both almost everyday.RIP
it is said that God takes the best..for real, we all know Dre was the best in everthing he did.i know he is in a better place. He was always close to God so i have no doubt that our Dre is in Heaven.
I miss you Dre, we will meet again someday
murote said,
April 5, 2008 at 11:30 am
Dre was full of life.
Always made me laugh whenever we had a chance to chat.
The last tym i saw him he was in an apron..drivin from waks.
Typical of him he stopped just to holla on tha thika -nrb highway…(despite the hootin by other drivers).
Rest in peace bro