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No, popular Kenyan gospel artist Emmy Kosgei has not died

In November 2020 a Facebook user shared a photo of a well known Kenyan singer to a group with more than 400,000 members, with the caption ‘R.i.p Emmy kosgei’.

Emmy Kosgei is popular in Kenya for songs such as Taunet Nelel. She now lives in Nigeria, where she is married to a prominent pastor. 

The post drew varied reactions, with some expressing shock. But has the talented singer died?



No news reports, several media appearances


Such a death would have been widely reported in Kenyan media. An online news search came up empty. The media have instead as recently as 26 November reported on her appreciation for her family. 

Kosgei, 40,  has also been active on social media in recent weeks. On 27 November she punted an appearance on Kenya’s Milele FM radio station. On the same day she appeared on another station, Radio Citizen.

On 20 November she mourned the death of a congregant, in an Instagram post that may have prompted the false Facebook message.

But Kosgei herself is very much alive. Such careless posts are likely to cause unnecessary distress. – Africa Check




 

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