Musungu Kyumbe (born in 1982 – died in 2023, Aged: 41 years old) was a popular radio presenter and journalist in Kenya, who worked for Mbaitu FM, a station that catered to the Kamba community.
He was known for his distinctive voice, humorous personality, and passion for music and culture. He died in November 2023 at the age of 41, after suffering from kidney failure and other complications.
Early Life and Education
Musungu was born in 1982 in Machakos County, Kenya. He was an albino, which earned him the nickname “Musungu Kyumbe” (the real white man) from his fans and friends. He attended Katangi Primary School and Katangi Secondary School, where he developed an interest in journalism and media. He later joined the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, where he graduated with a diploma in radio production.
Musungu Kyumbe Wiki/Bio
Name | Musungu Kyumbe |
Birth Name | James Malombe |
Date of Birth | 1982 |
Place of Birth | Machakos County, Kenya |
Date of Death | November 2023 |
Place of Death | Nairobi, Kenya |
Cause of Death | Kidney failure and other complications |
Occupation | Radio presenter, journalist, musician, songwriter, philanthropist, social activist |
Years Active | 2009-2023 |
Employer | Mbaitu FM |
Spouse | Mary Malombe |
Children | Two (a son and a daughter) |
Parents | Not disclosed |
Siblings | Not disclosed |
Education | Kenya Institute of Mass Communication |
Religion | Christianity |
Nickname | Musungu Kyumbe (the real white man) |
Homepage | newsunzip.com |
musungukyumbe | |
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Mbaitu FM Career
Kyumbe started his career as a radio presenter at Syokimau FM, a local station in Machakos County. He then moved to Mbaitu FM in 2013, where he became one of the most popular and influential voices in the Kamba community. He hosted various shows, such as “Mwambie Musungu”, “Mwana wa Mwatu”, and “Kithungu Kyumbe”, where he entertained, educated, and informed his listeners on various topics, such as music, culture, politics, health, and sports. He also interviewed celebrities, politicians, and other prominent personalities, and was known for his witty and humorous style of presentation.

Musungu was also a talented musician and songwriter, who composed and performed several songs in Kamba and Swahili languages. Some of his songs include “Mwana wa Mwatu”, “Mwana wa Mwatu Remix”, “Ndanu John Muasa Kineene”, and “Ngatungiwe Mali”. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Ken Wambua Wa-maria, Ann Njeri Muthee, and Culture. He was also a fan of reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and gospel music, and often played them on his shows.
Kyumbe was also a philanthropist and a social activist, who supported various causes, such as albinism awareness, education, health, and environmental conservation. He was involved in several campaigns and initiatives, such as the “Albinism Society of Kenya”, the “Musungu Kyumbe Foundation”, and the “Mbaitu FM Community Service”. He also mentored and inspired many young people, especially those with albinism, to pursue their dreams and talents.
Personal Life, Spouse, and Family
Musungu Kyumbe was married to Mary Malombe, and they had two children, a son and a daughter. He was a devoted husband and father, who loved his family dearly. He was also a devout Christian, who attended the Redeemed Gospel Church in Machakos. He was close to his parents, siblings, and relatives, who supported him throughout his life and career.
Death and Tributes
Kyumbe passed away in November 2023, after battling kidney failure and other complications for several months. He had been involved in a road accident in March 2023, which affected his health and mobility. He was admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital, where he underwent dialysis and other treatments. He appealed for financial assistance from his fans, friends, and well-wishers, to cater for his medical bills and expenses. He also expressed his gratitude and faith in God and his hope for recovery and healing.

His death was announced by Mbaitu FM and was met with shock and sadness by his colleagues, fans, and the public. Many people paid tribute to him on social media, radio, and television, and praised him for his contribution to the media industry, the Kamba community, and the society at large.
He was also honored by various leaders, celebrities, and organizations, who sent their condolences and messages of comfort to his family and friends. He was buried at his ancestral home in Machakos County, in a ceremony that was attended by hundreds of mourners.
Who was Musungu Kyumbe?
Musungu, whose real name was James Malombe, was a popular radio presenter in Kenya. He was known for his distinctive voice and humorous personality, which earned him the nickname “Musungu Kyumbe” (the real white man) due to his albinism.
He worked at Mbaitu FM, a Kamba-language station owned by the Radio Africa Group, where he hosted various shows such as “Mukamba wa Athiani” and “Kithungo”. He also co-hosted the breakfast show “Gidi na Ghost Asubuhi” with Gidi Gidi and Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee on Radio Jambo, another station under the same group.
Musungu was also a talented musician and comedian, who released several songs and performed at various events. He was a mentor and inspiration to many young people, especially those living with albinism.
What happened to Musungu Kyumbe?
Musungu passed away on November 29, 2023, at the age of 39. He had been battling kidney failure, a blood clot, and high blood pressure for several months. He had been undergoing dialysis twice a week at the Kenyatta National Hospital since March 2023.
His health problems began after he was involved in a road accident at Katangi on the Machakos-Kitui road on March 7, 2023. He sustained minor injuries and was discharged from a local hospital, but a week later, he developed difficulties in walking and breathing. He was admitted to KNH, where he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

He had been appealing for financial assistance from well-wishers to cater for his medical bills, which had accumulated to millions of shillings. He had also expressed his desire to undergo a kidney transplant, but he did not get a suitable donor in time.
How did the media and public react to Musungu Kyumbe’s death?
Kyumbe’s death was announced by his colleague and friend Gidi Gidi on social media. He wrote: “It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I announce the passing on of my co-host and brother Kyumbe. He fought a good fight but God had other plans. Rest in peace Musungu. You will be missed by many.”
Trivia
- He was an albino, which made him stand out and face discrimination and stigma in his childhood and adulthood.
- He was passionate about music and culture, and composed and performed several songs in Kamba and Swahili languages.
- Musungu was a popular and influential radio presenter, who hosted various shows on Mbaitu FM, a station that catered to the Kamba community.
- He was a philanthropist and a social activist, who supported various causes, such as albinism awareness, education, health, and environmental conservation.
- Musungu was involved in a road accident in March 2023, which affected his health and mobility. He suffered from kidney failure and other complications and died in November 2023.
- Musungu was honored and praised by many people, who paid tribute to him on social media, radio, and television. He was buried at his ancestral home in Machakos County.
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