Kenyan rapper Jimwat has shared a candid and reflective account of his long journey through early fame, addiction, relapse, and ultimately, recovery. In an in-depth interview with a local television station on Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Sitoki Kitu Kidogo artist spoke openly about the highs and lows that shaped his life and career and how he finally found stability through sobriety and fatherhood.
Jimwat recalled how sudden success swept him into the spotlight at a young age, leaving him ill-equipped to handle the pressures that followed. His first stay in rehab, he said, marked the beginning of real change.
“The first stint in rehab helped me, and after that, I went back to my own life. Things started going well. Fans were very embracing; once they saw my downhill, they supported me and welcomed me back,” he shared.
His comeback track, Sitoki Kitu Kidogo, became a major breakthrough, reviving his music career and attracting interest beyond the entertainment industry. The National Anti-Corruption Steering Committee even approached him with a significant partnership to use the hit in a nationwide youth campaign.
“We had done it in Genge style, so it appealed to young people. I liked that I was doing edutainment at the time,” he said.
However, despite the renewed success, Jimwat admits he lacked the emotional maturity to manage the growing attention. Fame, he said, quickly turned overwhelming.
“I was famous, and I couldn’t handle the fame very well. That’s what led to my addiction because I started music just for fun. I wasn’t prepared for everything that came with it.”
The constant public scrutiny, social expectations, and fast-paced entertainment lifestyle pushed him toward alcohol as a coping mechanism—an escape that ultimately turned into addiction.
Today, Jimwat says he is firmly on a new path. He is engaged, recently welcomed a daughter, and is embracing life as a young father. Though he acknowledges life’s pressures still exist, he is committed to staying grounded.
“I am now on track. I have a fiancée, we are blessed with a daughter, and I am a young father. Yes, there are pressures in life, but I am managing,” he said.
He also revealed he once relapsed, but returned to rehab determined not to repeat past mistakes.
“I already am; whenever I am down, there is alcohol, an escape like a euphoria. I relapsed, but the second round I was very strong; I didn’t want to let myself down. It wasn’t about my family. I am now 12 years sober.”
Jimwat’s story stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, the challenges of early fame, and the personal strength required to rebuild a life beyond addiction.
