Singer Iyanii has opened up about a near-fatal shooting incident from his youth, describing it as a defining moment that reshaped his outlook on life, purpose and responsibility.
The artist has also revealed that the experience partly informs his decision to commit 20 per cent of his music earnings to prison outreach programmes, a pledge he says is permanent.
Speaking during a Mic Cheque interview, Iyanii recounted how he was shot during a police chase in Nairobi’s Central Business District, an incident he says almost cost him his life.
At the time, he was in the company of friends when one of them allegedly snatched a handbag, triggering a pursuit by police officers.
“I heard the gunshots but I assumed they were firing in the air,” Iyanii said. “Then I boarded a matatu and the lady next to me told me I was bleeding, and that’s how I realized I had been shot.”
He explained that he initially felt no pain. “Before that, I never felt pain. I almost died because of somebody else’s mistake,” he added.
Iyanii, whose real name is Ian Oure, rose to prominence with hit songs such as Furaha, Momma and Hello, becoming one of Kenya’s most recognisable contemporary pop artists.
Behind the commercial success, however, he says his journey has been shaped by hardship and moments of deep reflection.
In the same conversation, the singer disclosed that he has committed 20 per cent of all earnings from his music career to supporting people in prison.
According to Iyanii, the decision is not a short-term charity initiative but a structured, long-term commitment built into how he manages his finances.
“All the money I’m earn from my music, I’m setting aside 20 per cent to give back to the people in prison,” he said.
Iyanii explained that the funds are pooled over time and channelled into organised outreach programmes aimed at restoring hope and dignity among incarcerated individuals.
His initiatives focus particularly on creative expression, including music and performance, which he believes can be powerful tools for rehabilitation.
The artist has already taken practical steps to back up the pledge. In November, he made a visit to Kamiti Medium Prison, where he donated a fully equipped sound system — including speakers, microphones and mixers — to support inmates interested in music and performance.
During the visit, Iyanii performed for inmates and interacted with those involved in creative programmes, encouraging them to use art as a means of self-expression and transformation.
He said prison outreach resonates with him because he understands how easily life can take a wrong turn.He says that realisation fuels his desire to reach people who are often forgotten once they enter the prison system.
Iyanii noted that his outreach efforts are designed to go beyond donations. He plans to organise regular engagements inside correctional facilities, including performances and mentorship sessions, to help inmates reconnect with purpose and envision life beyond incarceration.
“I almost died,” he said plainly, reflecting on the incident.