South C Road to Be Renamed ‘E-Sir’ in Tribute to Late Music Legend

Nairobi Governor Johnson Arthur Sakaja has unveiled plans to rename a road in South C in honor of the late music icon E-Sir, recognizing his significant impact on Kenya’s music and cultural landscape.

The announcement was made during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, where Sakaja emphasized the initiative as a tribute to artists who have shaped Kenya’s creative heritage.

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“We will honor our artists by renaming certain roads. I have discussed this with Honorable MP Jalang’o, and our county director is already addressing the matter. One of the roads in South C, where E-Sir grew up and began his musical journey, will be named after the legendary artist. His brother, Habib, who performed here today, can attest to his legacy,” Sakaja shared in his speech.

This decision comes in response to a 2022 online petition led by Nameless, a close friend of E-Sir, advocating for a road in South C to bear the late artist’s name. The petition, which gathered over 5,000 signatures, highlighted E-Sir’s role as a pioneer in the Kenyan music scene, describing him as “a great talent, friend, and trailblazer in his genre.” It called for the gesture as a celebration of artistic excellence and a way to honor his memory.

E-Sir, born Issah Mmari, tragically passed away in a road accident on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway 21 years ago at just 21 years old. Despite his untimely death, his music continues to inspire and is celebrated as a cornerstone of Kenyan hip-hop across East Africa.

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Nameless has often recounted how E-Sir saved his life during the tragic accident, revealing they were in the same car, and E-Sir had swapped seats with him.

“We performed the night before and were well-rested. We left Nakuru around 11 a.m., and while distracted by a view of Lake Elementaita, the car began to veer off the road. The driver’s attempt to correct it led to the car rolling several times. E-Sir wasn’t wearing a safety belt at the time,” Nameless recounted during a tribute.

He added, “On this day, a dark cloud enveloped our skies as we lost one of Kenya’s most talented musicians. His lyrical skill and mastery of Swahili flow were unmatched. Even after his passing, his music and legacy live on. We miss you, bro. Until we meet again.”