I had reconstructive surgery following 2014 crash, reveals rapper Jimwat

By Standard Entertainment | 4yrs ago | 3 min read

Rapper Jim Wathigo Mburu alias Jimwat underwent reconstructive surgery to enable him to speak again after being involved in an accident in 2014. Reliving the moment in a candid interview with the Sunday Magazine, Jimwat said he was on his way to a late-night show when a vehicle he was in was rammed into by another car along Thika highway.

Jimwat narrated that he suffered multiple fractures and had to be rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for specialized treatment after being admitted at Kahawa Wendani Hospital. “I don’t remember the exact details about the accident but the police report stated that our car was hit by another car. I was rushed to Kahawa Wendani Hospital where I was diagnosed with multiple fractures on both legs and some fractured ribs,” said Jimwat.

Read Also: Jimwat involved in a car accident

At KNH, the Under 18 hitmaker was, however, transferred to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital where he underwent surgery to regain speech. “My condition worsened and I had to be rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital for further treatment. I was then transferred to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital where I had reconstructive surgery to enable me to talk again. It was a long painful process but I am thankful to the Lord that I fully recovered,” added the rapper.

Reflecting on his struggle with teenage fame and alcohol addiction, Jimwat expressed regret that the latter steered him away from his craft and underscored why discipline is key. He explained that his battle started as a simple, occasional fun habit that almost drove him to an early grave. “What for me started as simple occasional drinking where I would indulge once in a while increased to drinking during shows and this habit became more of a disease after a long time,” he said.

In a message to the youth, Jimwat highlighted why lessons must be learned from every mistake. “My advice to every young person out there would be, maintain humility and be consistent in creating good competitive content. Discipline and virtues are key and putting God first will help you grow, but most importantly, learn from your mistakes. The entertainment industry being a fun type of industry requires a lot of discipline and wisdom to avoid peer pressure to indulge in alcohol or drug use, which I lacked back then,” added the father of one.

Buoyed by fatherhood and a newfound calling through his The JimwatSolo Foundation, the rapper went on: “I have learnt a lot from everything I have been through and I am so thankful to God that I am better and wiser now. This is the reason I try to share a message of hope and encouragement through my music. With a deeply personal message, I speak to the youths like in my single dubbed Singe and my other song Maisha, which expresses my view on life.”