Joyce Wanjiru Karumba, the wife of popular Kenyan gospel DJ Karumba Ngatia, widely known as DJ Krowbar, has died after a long and brave battle with kidney disease. Her passing in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026, has touched many people across Kenya and beyond.
Joyce, affectionately known as Joy, spent about three years fighting chronic kidney failure. She was first diagnosed in 2022, not long after the birth of the couple’s third child. At first, the illness began as a frightening health crisis that quickly turned serious.
Doctors tried many treatments, and at one point she underwent a kidney transplant in mid-2025 after friends, fans, and well-wishers helped raise more than Sh9 million toward her care. The transplant gave her hope and a chance at a better quality of life.
At first, Joyce appeared to be improving after the surgery. She was even able to go home for a short time. But in recent weeks, her condition worsened, and she was readmitted to the hospital as complications arose. Despite the best efforts of her medical team and her family’s love and prayers, she passed away peacefully at about 3 a.m. on January 26.
Her family said Joyce faced her long illness with great courage and deep faith. They described her as a strong woman who inspired many through her bravery and resilience. She was more than a wife and mother — she was a friend, a creative professional, a community pillar, and a source of encouragement to others facing hardship.
Joyce and Krowbar shared many precious moments together. One of her last meaningful social media posts was a celebration of their 16th wedding anniversary, where she spoke about love, life’s ups and downs, and how faith carried them forward. That heartfelt message now reads like a quiet farewell.
The couple leaves behind three children: Toria, Riri, and Imani — young lives shaped by both joy and hardship. In the face of grief, the family has appealed for prayers and privacy, asking well-wishers to respect their mourning period.
Messages of comfort and support have poured in from supporters, friends, and fellow entertainers. Among those publicly expressing sympathy was fellow gospel entertainer DJ Mo, who shared a throwback video celebrating joyful moments between the two couples and offered heartfelt words to console Krowbar.
Plans for Joyce’s memorial and funeral are now underway. Daily prayer meetings are set to be held at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, leading up to a memorial service and a burial in Nyeri County, where she will be laid to rest. The family has also provided details for those who wish to support them during this difficult time.
Joyce Wanjiru Karumba’s life was marked by love, resilience, and faith. Her courage in facing a long, painful illness has inspired many, and her legacy lives on through her family, her community, and all who were touched by her story.
By Creatorhub