Sakaja To Rename Nairobi Road After The Late E-Sir

On Thursday, December 12, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced plans to name a road in South C after the late Kenyan hip-hop artist E-Sir, in honour of his enduring legacy in Kenyan music.

Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Garden, Governor Sakaja highlighted E-Sir’s impact on the music industry, describing him as a trailblazer whose work continues to inspire generations.

“A South C road will be named after the late Kapuka artiste E-Sir. He was a great artist, and his influence still resonates with many today. His brother has performed here on his behalf, keeping his memory alive,” Sakaja hailed.

E-Sir’s brother, Habib who is a rapper was among the artists that performed at the celebrations.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja speaking on November 28, 2024. /JOHNSON SAKAJA 

E-Sir, whose real name was Issah Mmari Wangui, is remembered as one of Kenya’s most iconic musicians, known for hits like Boomba Train and Hamunitishi. Despite his untimely death in a car accident in 2003, his music remains a staple in Kenyan pop culture.

South C, E-Sir’s home neighbourhood, therefore holds special significance as the birthplace of his musical journey.

The road renaming is part of a broader initiative by the Nairobi County Government to honour individuals who have made a lasting impact on Kenya’s cultural and social landscape.

Governor Sakaja assured the public that the process would involve consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure proper recognition of E-Sir’s legacy.

The move to honour the late artist by naming a road after him is credited to Kenyan Artist and E-Sir’s close friend Nameless. The singer filed a petition at the National Assembly to which the governor committed to following up.

Nameless also credited South C’s popularity to E-Sir who never failed to mention his neighborhood in his music. E-Sir rose to fame in the music industry in the early 2000s as the leading hip-hop artist in Kenya.

In 2003, he released his debut album titled ‘Nimefika’ under the ‘Ogopa Deejays’ record label, an album that catapulted his career to the country's limelight. It featured hit singles like ‘Moss Moss’, ‘Boomba Train’ and Leo ni Leo’.

These hits earned the hip-hop artist Best Male Artist at the Kisima Awards. His songs were characterized by a blend of English, Kiswahili and Sheng, but it was his style of music that earned him a massive following from wide audiences.

On the fateful day of March 16, 2003, E-Sir got involved in a tragic road accident around Naivasha and died. He was coming from a concert in Nakuru together with fellow musician and friend Nameless, who survived the accident. His death marked the end of his music career which had just begun to blossom.

Despite his passing, E-sir’s legacy lives on through his music. He is remembered for revolutionizing Kenyan urban music and setting the stage for the artists that followed him.

A photo of one of E-Sir's albums 'Nimefika'. /LAST FM