For the first time since his dramatic arrest, top entertainer DJ Joe Mfalme has opened up about the chilling nights he spent behind bars, accused of a murder he didn't commit, and the heavy price of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It is a nightmare that every Kenyan dreads: a minor traffic altercation spiraling into a murder charge. For DJ Joe Mfalme, this became a terrifying reality when he was arrested in connection with the death of Inspector Felix Kelian Kitosi. Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the celebrated DJ recounted the events that led to his incarceration, describing the experience as a "reality check" that stripped away his celebrity status and left him as just another suspect in a cold cell.

The Night Everything Changed

The incident began innocuously enough—a scratch on his vehicle by the officer. What followed was a confrontation that allegedly involved Mfalme’s entourage. When the officer later died from injuries, the DJ, his bouncer, driver, and photographer were swept up in a dragnet. "We were treated like hardened criminals," Mfalme recalled. The viral video of his arrest showed a confused and pleading Mfalme, a stark contrast to the confident figure who commands the decks at Nairobi’s biggest parties.

Mfalme revealed that he had never set foot in a police cell before. The 14 days spent in custody were a psychological torture. He describes the uncertainty, the fear of a life sentence, and the helplessness of watching his reputation being shredded in the court of public opinion before the facts were out. He maintained his innocence throughout, a stance later vindicated when he was turned into a state witness rather than a murder suspect.

• The Altercation: A minor accident at Kikuyu that escalated into a fatal assault accusation.
• The Detention: Held for two weeks while investigations were conducted, exposing him to the harsh realities of the Kenyan penal system.
• The Vindication: The Director of Public Prosecutions eventually cleared him of murder charges, opting to use his testimony to prosecute others.

Life After the Cell

The ordeal has left a mark. Mfalme is now a free man, but he walks with the heavy knowledge of how quickly life can pivot. His story is a chilling reminder of the fragility of freedom. He urges young people to be wary of their surroundings and the company they keep.

The music is back on, but for DJ Joe Mfalme, the silence of the cell block will echo for a long time.