Kenyans from all walks of life continued to express their shock and grief following the ghastly death of popular Kalenjin secular musician — Diana Chemutai.
Chemutai, fondly known by her stage name Chelele, was allegedly killed in cold blood and her body dumped at the veranda of her house in Itembe, Chepalungu constituency.
Yesterday, neighbours and relatives flocked her home as news of her death spread. Bomet County police boss Abel Sande said one of Chelele’s sisters discovered the body and alerted the police.
“We were called in the morning and informed that there was a body of a woman in a certain house. When the OCS and team of police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that it was the musician who had been murdered,” said Sande. He said Chelele’s body had deep cuts and her intestines were popping out.
The police chief said there were no leads so far into the killing but investigations had been launched to unravel the mystery.
“So far we have no leads but we are trying to piece up everything to solve the puzzle. Detectives from the local CID office are working round the clock to establish who killed her,” said Sande.
He added: “By the look of things, the musician was killed elsewhere and body brought to the home which is unoccupied. There are blood spots from the gate of the homestead a clear indication that she was not killed at the homestead.”
Witness account Bernard Rotich, who was among the first residents to arrive at the scene said the musician died a painful death. “I saw the body which was in a horrific state. She had deep cuts on her stomach and her intestines were ruptured. She died a brutal death,” said Rotich.
The musician hit the news two months ago when she attempted to commit suicide on her way from Eldoret where she had gone to perform. Chelele was admitted to a Nakuru hospital for days before she was discharged.
In 2012, the artiste whose songs have been topping local music charts in Rift Valley, was also charged alongside her husband Eric Musila over the murder of an Eldoret businessman. The musician and her husband were suspected to have killed the businessman over relationship issues leading to the arrest of the two.
The artiste is also embroiled in a case with her husband at a Kericho court after the husband, an Administration Police officer took their two children away. Musila allegedly took the children to safety after his relationship with the musician grew sour.
Chelele, one of the most acclaimed musicians in Kalenjin, released a number of songs among them My beer, Iyweek, Maiywek, Chelele Binti Osama, Wrong number Elifut, Chepkulutiot and Osupchon.
She had just released an authentic Kalenjin song titled Wrong Number with a unique dancing style and unique beats that targeted all age groups.
“We will remember her for her feisty nature during all her recording and stage performances. She was really talented and a promising young artiste,” said Kalenjin Sisters.
It is worth noting that during that period when she almost hit rock bottom a number of people tried to reach out to her.
Back then, one of Kalenjin Music Association directors, Bernard Lang’at, was quoted saying: “Plans are underway to guide and counsel her on how to manage personal issues. We are concerned about her well-being and her future and as an association. We want her to continue with her creative work of entertaining her fans.”
He went on: “What she has been going through has come to our attention and we can no longer watch and wait for her to kill herself. The issues haunting her can be managed and she does not necessarily have to kill herself.” Meanwhile, fans continued to express their grief on popular social media platform Facebook.
Elizabeth Ndunge, on Facebook said: “She has left very beautiful girls. The poor girls are now orphans. May God keep them well.” Also on Facebook Irene Mueni said: “RIP Chelele. She was loved so much. I likely loved your songs.”
