This morning the nation woke up to sad news of the passing of celebrated Kikuyu Benga musician Joseph Kamaru at the MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi where he had been admitted since Monday after he fell ill.
Aged 79, the veteran musician has been described by the former prime minister Raila Odinga, as one who inspired generations in central Kenya and beyond to reflect deeply on profound political, cultural and social issues.
When he started pursuing music in 1965, Kamaru had a little idea of how his music would inspire a generation and pave way for Kikuyu Benga music making it acceptable when many locals hardly appreciated vernacular local music.
His over 1, 500 recorded songs addressing morality issues and offering life teachings, saw him rise to the peak of his career between 1975-1985.
Kamaru became so popular to the extend of the then sitting president, Mzee Kenyatta, ordering his backup group to stop playing as he only wanted to hear Kamaru sing.
His relationship with Mzee Kenyatta escalated his musical career. Kamaru would receive massive airplay and perform in different regions including abroad.
His hit song, Darling Ya Mwarimu which addressed affairs between wayward teachers and pupils was released in 1966 and it did not settle well. KNUT called a nationwide teachers' strike.
A couple of years down the lane and Kamaru would still be a darling to President Daniel Arap Moi.
In fact, his relationship with Mzee Moi was profound such that in 1980, he toured Japan as a part of President Moi's entourage.
Benga was for a long time regarded as the music of the lower class. But with the raise of artists like Kamaru who received support from different quarters including State House, the narrative quickly changed.
Thanks to Veteran artists like Joseph Kamaru, over time Kikuyu Benga has managed to spread to various parts of the country, adapting new flavors as it is transformed to fit into the music of the various communities.
With the new elite urban population increasing day by day, what is the future of not just Kikuyu Benga music, but also Benga music across different communities?
Only time will tell if the new generation of musicians can emulate their pioneer forefathers who composed songs that promoted humanity and addressed issues facing the society.
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