Jimmy Gait recounts horror in hands of machete wielding gang in Runda

Kenyan gospel musician Jimmy Gait/COURTESY

Kenyan gospel musician Jimmy Gait has broken his silence after surviving a brutal machete attack in Nairobi’s upscale Runda estate, describing the ordeal as the most traumatising experience of his life.

Speaking from his hospital room, his hand heavily bandaged, the visibly shaken but grateful artist recounted how what began as an ordinary morning quickly turned into a fight for survival.

According to Gait, whose real name is James Ngaita, he was confronted by two men: one taller and heavily built, the other slightly smaller. He sensed danger almost immediately.

“I was alone, and they were two,” he said. “One pulled out a sword, and the other one pulled out a machete from his jacket.”

Outnumbered and overpowered, Gait said the attackers quickly gained control. As he struggled to defend himself, he realised the situation was escalating beyond robbery.

“I saw one of them aim for my neck,” he recalled. “He was telling me to stay calm as they wanted to kill me slowly.”

In a desperate attempt to protect himself, Gait instinctively reached toward the machete. The move likely saved his life but at a painful cost. The blade cut deep into his thumb, nearly severing it.

“I got a deep cut that almost took off my thumb,” he said. “I started seeing blood, so much blood. I had never seen that much blood in my entire life.”

The pain was excruciating, blood almost pooled around him, but the attackers, he said, appeared determined and unshaken. It was at that moment, overwhelmed by fear and agony, that he began to pray.

“I shouted the name of Jesus — ‘Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!’” he said. “I cried out to the Lord.”

Gait believes that calling on his faith shifted the moment. He says the men suddenly hesitated, saying that the name of Jesus made them step back and stop beating him.

Moments later, the attackers ordered him to leave without looking back.

With what little strength he had left, Gait says he ran.

“I ran and ran and ran,” he recalled. “It had rained, the road was slippery and slightly flooded. As I ran, blood kept dripping.”

He described feeling dizzy and weak, his vision fading as he struggled to stay conscious. At one point, he thought he would collapse.

“I felt like I was losing visibility. I was out of gas. But I felt that God had given me another chance at life, and I was not going to waste it.”

Despite the trauma, Gait expressed gratitude that he survived. He is currently receiving medical treatment and recovering from the severe injury to his hand.

While the physical wounds will take time to heal, the gospel singer says the experience has strengthened his faith and reminded him of the fragility of life.

“It was the most terrifying moment of my life,” he said. “But I am alive through God’s grace.”