Kenyan actor and comedian DJ Shiti is grieving the loss of his father, Richard Ndede Mbanda, who passed away after a seven-year battle with cancer.
DJ Shiti, widely celebrated for his comedy and acting work in Kenya, broke the news through a deeply personal post on social media, sharing a video tribute that offered a rare and emotional glimpse into his relationship with his late dad.
DJ Shiti pays tribute to late father
“My old man joined his ancestors yesterday morning, after battling cancer for 7 years. One day cancer will also die. Rest in power Omwami Richard Ndede Mbanda,” he wrote in the caption accompanying the post.
The tribute video is a moving compilation of selfie-style clips filmed in a car alongside candid footage from what appears to be family moments at home and outdoors, including scenes in a living room, a yard, and a roadside.
Set against an emotional original song about loss and longing for a father figure, the footage paints a picture of a bond defined by warmth, faith, and quiet resilience.
Lyrics like:
“Your boots still sit by the bedside floor / Mama still prays like she did before” give the video a raw, deeply personal weight.
The song’s chorus,
“Father, where are you now? I’ve been crying out loud / Every prayer I send up feels like it falls back down,” captures the grief at the heart of the tribute and clearly resonated with viewers who have experienced similar loss.
Family asks for support
Alongside his emotional message, DJ Shiti shared a till number for those wishing to offer financial support to the family during the mourning period.
The till number is: 1728307, under the name Stephen Ndede.
Shiti’s dad’s seven-year fight against cancer speaks to the prolonged toll the disease takes not just on patients, but on entire families who walk that painful road alongside them.
DJ Shiti’s tribute was a reminder of the very human side of a public figure many Kenyans know primarily through laughter.
Watch the tribute DJ Shiti shared in honour of his late father:
