How Mzee danced his way into many Kenyans heart

Tushangilie Kenya Composer Thomas Wesonga during the Kenya Music Festivals at Kabarak University in August 2019. [File, Standard]

It was during the 24-year reign of former President Daniel Moi that artistes crafted many songs that echoed the leader’s patriotic ideologies.

The then Head of State became synonymous with music and dances that accompanied him to every event he attended. From professional choirs and individual artists to school children, college and university students, performances were composed in his praise.

Moi would briefly dance alongside entertainers before moving to the dais to watch as one group after another performed. Keen eyes would notice that Moi was swimming in glory as songs rent the air often mentioning his name and the aspirations he had for the country.

Powerful lyrics

Behind the entertainment were powerful lyrics that spoke of the leader’s messages to his subjects.

Choral tunes composed in honour of Moi included Tawala Kenya Tawala and Fimbo ya Nyayo, among others, that spoke of the vision that Moi had for Kenya.

The lyrics were crafted in tandem with the Nyayo philosophy of peace, love and unity that the retired president valued and spoke about with zeal in almost all his speeches. The Nyayo Philosophy was a call by Moi to the leaders and citizens to follow the footsteps of first president Jomo Kenyatta.

According to former Presidential Music Commission chairman and currently the Director of Music at Kabarak University, Fred Ngala, Moi’s support and love for music made him to establish the Presidential Music Commission that coordinated performances across the country and encouraged political and patriotic songs.

It encouraged schools, government departments and ministries to form choirs that fostered unity, peace and love.

“Most of those choirs still exist to date and they have played a key role in uniting Kenyans from all walks of lives,” he added.

It was during national ceremonies that the songs would rule the air with accompaniments including drums, shakers (kayamba) and ululations.

Moi would join the choir as he wielded his symbolic club and with a gleaming face that showed a leader contented with the message in the lyrics and the appealing appearance of performers donning African costumes, a mark of Kenyan tradition.

The song Tawala Kenya Tawala (Rule Kenya) composed by Mwalimu Thomas Wesonga, for instance, depicted Moi as a good leader with foresight.

“Unaongoza vyema Rais Moi, peleka Kenya mbele, rais wetu peleka Kenya mbele, (You are leading the country well President Moi, lead Kenya to the fore, our president, lead Kenya to the fore).”

To Wesonga, former President Moi’s contribution in music nurtured cohesion across the country with music playing a role in fighting vices in the society.

The song that propelled Wesonga to fame and helped him meet Moi was one that discouraged the society from alcoholism during which he sang in Mombasa.

From a teacher who did not know what patriotic songs were, Wesonga soon rose through the ranks to head the Presidential Events Coordination Unit. The repetition of words including Tawala Kenya in the song emphasises the call for Moi to continue with his good leadership.

The song was so popular that several renditions of the same were produced by other choirs and artistes.

The song Rais Moi asante sana (Thank you President Moi) praises the leader as one with the potential of bringing an end to corruption, crime, illiteracy and poor health among other challenges that bedeviled the country.

The popular Fimbo ya Nyayo praises Moi as the custodian of the Nyayo philosophy and the person who would help get rid of negative ethnicity and set the country apart.

Great leader

It also praises Moi as a great leader who introduced the Ministry of Culture to ensure that Kenya’s beautiful cultural traditions are protected.

It is also a rallying call for political leaders to set precedence by doing what is right.

Even after retiring in 2002, the songs still ring in the minds of Kenyans. Moments after his death was announced yesterday, many Kenyans rekindled the old memories of the musical times of Moi by sharing links of the songs on social media platforms while others mentioned the songs and part of the lyrics.

In 1983, Wesonga composed a song, ‘Heko Jamhuri’ to celebrate 20 years of independence that themed that year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.