In the world of reggae, Jahmby Koikai’s voice was unmistakable – it was fierce, poignant, fiery and fervently impassioned.
In an imperious field dominated by men, Jahmby stood tall, a woman with a comprehensive understanding of the reggae intrigues, armed with all the necessary phrases and intonations to fire up a Caribbean party.
Behind the mic, Koikai was a lyrical monster – she gave her all, transporting fans to an idyllic reggae universe, peppered with her masterful Jamaican rhapsodies.
Listening to Jahmby was therapeutic – she understood her audience well and knew just what sort of magic to work into the microphone, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after reggae MCs in Kenya.
Just like her nickname Fyah Mummah, Jahmby would effortlessly transform every performance into a blazing fire, seemingly unfettered and only buoyed by, perhaps, her sheer will to live and invigorate her listeners.
It was a charm she had mastered and a virtuosity, it appears, only she possessed.
In matatus, online and on the radio, her mellifluous voice reverberated.
“Kama unapenda reggae sema raaaah! Somebody say mo fire!” Njambi would call out, majestically and marvellously.
Alongside her regular sidekick Selector Technix, Jahmby fed the reggae community with an astuteness and fervour that will forever remain unmatched.
And even when she started battling endometriosis, making endless trips to hospitals and spending months on end in hospital wards, she refused to let her voice go. Or her light dim.
The reggae genius was now a health warrior ready to battle her internal monsters while, at the same time, encouraging her fans, putting up a brave face, confronting her condition and enlightening the world on her afflictions.
She did not choose to be pitied – she, instead, chose to be understood as she uncovered her ailment, unafraid of sharing vulnerable photos and proud of the new ambassadorial role she had helplessly assumed.
One enduring image of Koikai among many is that of the endometriosis warrior lying on her hospital bed, visibly weak under the weight of countless medical tubes jammed all across her upper body.
But even at that extremely strenuous moment, Koikai still managed to flash a smile.
Not too long after her lengthy stay in Atlanta, USA, where she underwent a life-changing surgery, Koikai flew back to Kenya to keep up the fight and spread the endometriosis gospel. But above all, she flew back to Kenya to do what she has always loved – rock the party.
Soon after getting back, Koikai would land her first post-surgery gig in January 2020. Excited at the opportunity to work the masses once again, she said it was also an opportunity for her to ‘test her lungs’.
“My future looked so bleak. All I was doing was literally fighting for my next breath. I made it out alive. God saw me through it all. As I do my first mini-gig in Nairobi, more like a test drive for my lungs as one of my fans said, it’s overwhelming and heart-wrenching from all the support I’ve received,” she posted on social media then.
Buoyed by the huge reception, she extended her tours. “I’ve already been booked for many gigs all through March both local and international. It’s all too much for me to take in. I’m grateful and thankful to each of you. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn’t matter what you’re going through, keep hope alive,” she wrote.
“God is real, He is in control. Let the gigs, conferences, endo awareness, interviews, tours begin. Jahmby conqueror is ready. Kenyan reggae queen is back!”
A year later, she would go back to radio after a lengthy six-year break. Announcing her Trace Radio gig, Koikai exploded in excitement at the prospect of going back to her first love – radio.
“Faaaaammmm!! After 6 years!! 6 long years of air! Guess who’s back on radio? Queen Fyah Mummah Jahmby!!!!! YES!!!! I’m back on radio and my new home is Trace Radio!” she posted then.
Even while riddled with a terminal disease, Koikai still sought to entertain, thrill the masses, work the crowds and inject some much-needed reggae harmonies into a chaotic world.
Still, her advocacy remained steadfast. She petitioned everyone, tagged all the big players, made her voice consistently heard, made numerous public appeals and personified the war against endometriosis.
Her last such appeal was to President William Ruto as he embarked on his US tour.
On May 19, 2024, she addressed the President, urging him to visit the Center For Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Georgia, for the sake of the Kenyan women in need of specialized treatment and surgery.
She wrote: “This is a sincere and heartfelt call of help to a few Kenyan leaders but allow me to address this to President @WilliamsRuto first as he makes his state visit to the US. Mr. President, one of the thematic areas in your visit is investment in health.”
“As you commence your State visit tomorrow to the US, I’d like to kindly add a few visits that would help the millions of Kenyan women battling in silence.
“It would be a game-changer for the Kenyan delegation to visit the Center For Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Georgia. Send our gynaecologists, pulmonogists, neurologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists for further training or fellowships.
“I write out of desperation for the hundreds of young girls in need of specialised treatment and surgery in order to alleviate the years of pain, loss of blood, loss of body function, loss of our careers, dreams and goals.”
Endometriosis is a painful disorder where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain and complications.
Koikai’s condition worsened in 2015 when she experienced a series of pneumothoraxes (collapsed lungs) caused by thoracic endometriosis, a rare manifestation of the disease.
The conqueror’s voice is no more – her reggae anecdotes, her rallying calls, her thematic phrases, her chants and her lyrical mastery are now forever shattered.
But even in her absence, Koikai’s brilliance, talent, steadfastness, courage and endometriosis evangelism will forever be remembered by not just people who lived in her lifetime – but generations to come.
Adios, Koikai. The show must go on – but for now, it will be in honour of you.
