Lessons from America: Renowned Kenyan business magnate speaks on overcoming tragedy, conquering fears and emerging victorious

Early this month, Dezz, as he is popularly known, was driving along a foggy US highway before his 2012 BMW dramatically crossed the centre line along the route 518 in Montgomery Township, travelled across the opposite lane, left the roadway, and struck a utility pole. 

It was a deafening crash which saw his vehicle get totally mangled and badly wrecked before various US personnel, drawn from fire, road and emergency units, arrived, transported and admitted him to RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick, just three blocks away from the CMG USA headquarters, where he spends the bulk of his time. 

Photos from the scene of the accident paint a picture of a horrific death scare - the windscreen totally cracked under the impact, windows smashed to smithereens, airbag blown off, tires ripped to pieces with the bonnet also getting torn right from the middle, the hood crumpling like paper and the metal bars buckling into mangled alloy.

The vehicle in question is actually a fully souped-up 2012 BMW M Sport Package boasting distinctive features, including unique exterior and interior styling, sportier suspension, performance-enhancing upgrades, and aerodynamic enhancements.

The favorite in his extensively luxurious fleet of cars, which also includes a 2021 blue Maserati Levante, the renowned car enthusiast would go on to lose a precious piece of his soul - the wondrous auto masterpiece he worked extensively to personally service, but got off with his life.

Following the crash, the road would be closed to traffic for about 19 hours, during which time, the Montgomery Police Department conducted a scene investigation, and local authorities repaired the damaged utility pole.

Dezz's miraculous escape from the jaws of death could possibly have been the fortified nature of his vehicle plus the fact that no other vehicle was involved in the crash, thus minimising chances of a deadly multiple-vehicle collision.

From his hospital bed, Dezz would now stare into a reality he had barely entertained just hours before - the fact that he now not only needed a series of surgeries, but would be bedridden for an extended period, while at the same time learning how to walk again.

"I'm lucky to have survived. I didn't get any head injuries neither did I break my spine. It could have been worse. I thank God for escaping with no major spinal injuries. It would have changed my life forever," a thankful Dezz said.

"It happened so fast, I could barely tell how it all came to this. I think my car skidded off the road, throwing me to the other side. I stared death in the eyes. God decided it was not yet time for me to leave this earth. It is by His grace that I am alive to tell this story," he said, in a pensive tone.

The CMG record label president and CEO also spoke of his motivation to stay positive and remain cheerful, even while strapped down with multiple medical cables, pipes and tubes.

"I was strapped to the bed with tubes, unable to move or sit up, but the funny thing is, I still brought cheer into the room and made the nurses' work easier by lightening up the mood, sharing a joke or two and remaining positive, despite the immense pain, " he shared.

He added, "A patient's recovery is 90% about their attitude towards the illness, more than the treatment they receive. I have remained positive not just for myself but for the people who depend on me. People who need me for their upkeep, my family, my team back in Kenya. My responsibilities could not allow me to sit at a corner and feel sorry for myself. "

Dezz, who is now recuperating at home, says that he has assigned nurses who have been tending to him by providing home services, while he maintains his positivity and looks forward to closing one of the most horrific chapters of his life.

"A man's gotta stand up and forge ahead. What's happened, happened. I cannot let that dictate how I move on. I chose to steady myself and let God do His thing. It's a renewed chance at life and I have embraced it preciously and thankfully," he said.

Noting the extreme psychological anguish most accident victims endure, with some carrying the trauma for the rest of their lives, Dezz had a quick word of advice.

"And to anyone who might come across my story, my word is simple: Do not let your predicament break you and knock you down. Alot of people have been mentally crushed after such a happening. I'm alive today, I bear scars from a grisly accident, but I will emerge stronger and with even greater resolve. That's the only way to conquer adversity," he advised.

In a final punch of advice to Kenyans, the still-recovering Dezz touched on the importance of having a solid financial network that covers for emergencies and unplanned predicaments, noting that bills are a constant necessity, regardless of one's state of health.

"I think that people should know that preparation is key... And in this case, this includes medical insurance savings, family and friends support and always being prepared for the worst as the bills don’t care whether you are in ICU or not. You're still going to be billed. You're still expected to make payments. People will still need to be compensated for their services to you. You've always gotta be ahead of the game - financially!"