Kevin Ombima aka Kaka Sungura has ruled the airwaves with his poetic lyrics. He shares his charm and oh...he also shares his daddy-hood moments with us.
Why are you associated with Blaze?
Because I have a story: My humble beginning, my failures, my struggles. Young people only see the success. They don’t know what it took to get me where I am. My story could inspire young minds to strive.
How humble was your humble beginning?
I started from one shilling – literally. I still recall the days I would be super broke. You know, one time I had nothing in my pocket and I had to borrow Sh100. It felt so bad; I promised myself that I will never ask for monetary help again.
You have ever slept hungry?
No road is smooth. If it is hunger, we have slept hungry.
How did you emerge from that?
I used the Sh100 to buy something which I sold and made profit from. And I continued retailing and doing business as my profits grew.
Sh100 is so small to get you into a studio: how did you manage to record your music?
I have been chased from studios uncountable times. Then I bumped into a producer while selling painted T-shirts – done by me – at Kenya Music Week in 2006. He came over to buy. I knew who he was and asked for his phone number...
You are a painter?
Yes. Actually, I was the first person to draw portraits on T-shirts in Nairobi. I painted and sold T-shirts.
So, you get his number, and...
He says he is in the process of coming up with a studio. I tell him I could do branded T-shirts for his studio. I gained his trust and he allowed me access to the studio. He even taught me sound engineering.
I would record myself the times he would be away. One day he came back and found a 17-track album on the table; mixed and mastered. That was it for me.
So, right now music is your core business?
Yes. But I also run other ventures – Kaka Klothing (a fashion house), Majik (a water company), Kaka Shak (an auditing company), Kaka Empire (a management company for artistes)... they are about eight.
Is there Kaka Farm among them?
I rear rabbits. I have an acre farm for that. Rabbit meat business is quite good; it is only that few people know the value. Rabbit is also quite nutritious.
What is it with you and rabbits?
It is a business I just went back to. We go a long way back. I sold rabbits as a young boy. Back then I was nicknamed ‘Sunguch’.
Speaking of your name, we have heard of ‘Rabbit’, ‘Kaka Sungura’, ‘King Kaka’: who is who?
King Kaka is the suits guy. Rabbit is the guy who first joined the music scene. There was Kaka Sungura too. Basically this guy has transformed over the years.
And who are you today?
This is King Kaka. He is a more serious and corporate artiste. I am a musician but I am also a businessman. King Kaka has a different influence and appeal. Plus, what I am wearing today is my brand.
Is there any difference between your kind of music and other artiste’s?
I tell people that I don’t really do music: I bring soundtracks to life
What is the difference?
I talk about real life occurrences. If you need inspiration listen to Ligi Soo, if you are bereaved there is Baadaye, if you want to appreciate your dad listen to Papa. There is nothing artificial in my creations.
You never dreamt of conventional careers like law and engineering?
I have a degree in Accounting. But all I remember from my high school days is that I wanted to be creative. I choose music.
And why did you sit for accounting classes?
Out of respect for my parents who wanted to see me graduate with a degree. But I use those skills to run my company.
Last year you left a loving statement on Instagram about your daughters. How did fatherhood impact your life?
It has been a good experience. It has turned me into somebody else: I am a different person from whom I was two years ago. Put simply, I am very happy about it.
When you look at your daughters what do you see?
I see me. They inspire me so much. I am working hard for them: I do it for them.
How do you project your future?
I have plans, yes. But that is just it. I plan and God decides the way forward. I go with His flow.