Entertainment galore at 51st Mashujaa Day celebrations

Ohangla sensation Osogo winyo(left) flanked with Tony Nyadundo before perfomance atthe Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi. (Photo by WILLIS AWANDU)

An entertainment mix of new and old genres has been lined up for dignitaries and the crowd turning out today at Nyayo National Stadium for the 51st Mashujaa Day celebrations.

For three days, the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) offices along State House Road have been a beehive of rehearsals by artistes selected from across the nation to entertain the President and Kenyans.

For the first time, the Ohangla style that has been popular in Western and Nyanza regions in the last decade will make a grand appearance through the agile Osogo Winyo as he renders Agen’go Wuod Rongo (Ageng’o the son of Rongo).

Born 16 years after Kenya attained independence at Nyarongi village in Migori County, Osogo Winyo will be joining independence music hero John Nzenze.

Nzenze, born 23 years before independence, is known for his twist style and today will be performing such golden numbers as Julieta Rudi Tuoane, Angelika and Habari za Nairobi.

Nzenze has previously entertained former President Jomo Kenyatta as well as Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selasie.

The Kassangas – Anne and Japheth – will make a comeback with their song Asante Mungu Baba, originally released in 1993 to celebrate Kenya’s 30th anniversary.

“We are making a choice of fusing the new and the old to represent the whole spectrum of the Kenyan society,” said PPMC Programmes Director Charles Muthini during the rehearsals yesterday.

Modern style

One of the most modern urban music style, Beat boxing, has been slotted in today’s entertainment list.

The cocktail of a cappela and rap and will be performed by Ministry of Muth members Dann Mwangi a.k.a Number 8, Daniel Muthama a.k.a Beat Marvel, Innocent Orunga a.k.a Yung Nnoiz and William Gachui a.k.a Nasara, the poet.

In the Gospel category, Pumwani-born and multiple Groove Awards winner Bahati will render his number Barua, thanking God for the far he has brought him.

Career policeman and singer Rick Matee Festo will serenade with his hit song Stella as Chepukkeezy gives the lighter side of the meaning of the word Mashujaa in a stand-up comedy.

Another group to watch today will be Sacred Heart School Mombasa as the singers belt out their Taarab performance Kifimbo Cheza arranged by Maxwell Ouma.

Also performing is Naroosura Mixed Secondary School from Narok with a colourful Maasai dance that also took first position during this year’s Kenya Music Festival.

Ikerege High School will perform Omurembe, which means peace, as Kwale Dance group renders a unique Duruma wedding dance that is performed by seniors.

Juma Iddi will be the icing on the cake with a consummate verse, Majanga, encouraging Kenyans to be patriotic and contribute towards nation building.

Octogenarian Maestro Mwalimu Wasonga, known for his patriotic classics such as Tushangile Kenya and Taawala, will give the President and his guests a new song Uongozi Maana Yake at the State House Garden party later in the evening.

In the song, he asks all Kenyans to rally behind elected leaders since leadership comes through the hand of the Almighty.