Pop to meet culture on Mashujaa Day

Workers put everything in order at Gusii Stadium ahead of Mashujaa Day Celebrations. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Pop artistes and cultural groups from Gusiiland will today lead entertainment during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisii County.

Themed Nchi Yangu, Jukumu Langu, Mimi ni Shujaa, the celebrations will start at around 8am, with a number of top artistes from across Kenya gracing the day.

A number of church choirs from Kisii will also entertain Kenyans at the Gusii Stadium as the country marks the annual fete.

Those who will perform include gospel star Janet Otieno, award-winning Mombasa-based singer Ali B, Steve Kay, who recently released a new hit known as Kipenzi and Wangeshi.

“The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) has partnered with various Gusii pop musicians to release a special song named Mimi ni Shujaa, which will be the highlight of the performances. Some of the artistes who participated in the song include Davison Nyaberi (Babu Gee), Robert Masiga (Mcubamba Robbah), Ivan Onserio (Speedix), Timothy Onserio (Timo Young), Martha Bosibori, Sarah Moraa (Shourtie) and Margaret Kerubo (Maggie The Psalmist),” said Donald Otoyo, the PPMC boss.

Untapped talent

“We have been here for about two weeks making preparations and we have discovered that there is a lot of untapped music talent in this region and that is why most of the performances will be by locals. We will have a special coral presentation by Gusii choirs as part of the main act but before the president arrives, we will have many performances by pop artistes and cultural groups entertaining the crowd,” Otoyo said.

The two special coral productions will be done both in Ekegusii and Kiswahili. There will also be dance performances from groups drawn from Kisii and Nyamira regions.

During the celebrations, 24 people, among them sports personalities and community service providers, will be feted.

Former Kenyan international footballer Henry Motego, who played for both local clubs and in Oman in the 1990s, as well as Hellen Obiri, the celebrated athlete who recently won the 3000m race during the Diamond League in Doha will be feted.

While Motego has been working with the Kisii Country Government in spotting football talent in the country, Obiri is one of the most successful athletes to have come from the region. Other athletes to be feted include Yobes Ondieki and the late Nyantika Mayioro.