Singer Nazizi narrowly escapes Al Shabaab attack

Sensational Hip hop and reggae artist Nzaizi Hirji, famously known as Nazizi, was caught up in a Mpeketoni to Lamu road attack by suspected Al Shabaab militia last Wednesday in an incident she describes as ‘horrifying’.

Nazizi had just left a Peace Concert, which was staged at the Mpeketoni Uhuru Park featuring Nazizi, Prince Adio and Shamir, when they were ambushed.

She narrated the terrible ordeal. Her post read:

“Woke up on the 16th of December mourning my brother and feeling low. We left at 6am to go do a peace concert two hours from the island in Mpeketoni. Never imagined that my entourage and I would be caught up in the Mpeketoni to Lamu road attack by Al Shabaab,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We left the peace concert in Mpeketoni in high spirits. Shortly into our journey hell broke loose . We made it out in the nick of time. We headed back to Mpeketoni which just brought back memories of last year’s attack with no security or any sort of help.”

“Next morning, I and some of the other artists were rescued by a small private owned Cesna owned by an amazing man #Fuzz from Lamu. I’m happy to be alive.”

She put up a picture of her ‘rescue team’ showing nothing but gratitude.

“21 gun salute for my rescue team who got me out of Mpeketoni so fast ! Fuzz you’re a real blessing so glad to have met you. Rachael you are my guardian angel.”

Fortunately, they were not harmed and were able to return to her home safely.

“Flying back into the island felt like a ton of weight was lifted…home sweet home #protectlamu #visitlamu #mylamu”

The same day, her family was commemorating the ninth anniversary since the demise of her brother Firoze, a person she described as the best friend ever.

“Jah giveth and jah taketh . I don’t believe that the 9 years haven’t made it any easier for I . I miss you guys so much. Oscar you were always a big brother…was a double blow to loose you and Firoze. That call still fresh in my mind. Best friends till death. LOVE YOU FIROZ, miss you sooo much”

In 2010, during an interview with a Kenyan magazine, Nazizi said this about her brother: “We would swap clothes and I used to tell him that one day he would walk in and find that I bought skirts and dresses and then what would he wear? I miss him. My son’s second name is ‘Feroze’ as a way of honouring him. I wish Tafari would have known him.”

Nazizi rose to fame when she released her first single “Ni sawa tu” at the age of 16 making her the first successful female artist in East Africa.

She is also famed for being one-third of the music crew Necessary Noize with Kenya’s love child Wyre and Bamzi and East Africa Bashment crew which she also formed together with Wyre and Bebe Cool from Uganda.