John Muchira: Githaa kia Ngai Hitmaker on music made from Kirinyaga

Ever Jovial

Among all 5 counties making up Central Province in Kenya, Kirinyaga County has for years, had the lowest number of recorded Kikuyu Musicians. However John Muchira, of GithaaKia Ngai, fame is among the indigenous Kirinyaga musicians, reversing that trend by singing and being good at it. 

Early Beginnings

Born in Kiandae Village in Gichugu, the 33 year old musician loved singing from a young age, and had to be forcibly removed from Kiandae Catholic church choir, as he was eager to sing with them. At times the choirmaster allowed a young Muchira to sing with them on noticing his musical passion. By class 6, he was a percussionist for Githage Primary School band. “I played the shaker,” recalls Muchira and loved listening to songs by Elizabeth Nyambere and Joseph Kamaru. 

High School

After primary school, he joined Kangaru High School in Embu and Muchira’s talent blossomed. He led as soloist, folk and traditional Kikuyu songs in music festivals, and took up instructor roles when their teacher was unavailable. In Form 3, he was made senior choirmaster, and one poignant moment from then, was quickly assembling a choir to sing for former President Moi, who was passing by. He missed two Geography lessons as they hastily rehearsed. “Then, Moi used to dish out money if made happy,” Muchira remembers laughing. 

Unfortunately, His zeal for music and arts was not shared by his parents, as they saw no hope of making a living from it in future. In fact Muchira had a backup plan to be an electrician after high school as he loved staring at electrical transformers. “My parents wanted me to struggle with difficult sciences so I could end up in a “respectable career” like a doctor or engineer.” Muchira told Kikuyu Musicians. 

On his final year at high school he got a C Minus grade. Muchira’s father gave up on him as he deemed the grade too low to get him into any respectable tertiary college then. He had to fend for himself and that included, picking coffee as a casual laborer for a year.

Joining Kayamba Africa

That time he survived on musical tutoring jobs he got from his home catholic church as an assistant choir trainer. “I’d now train people who sang when I was a young boy,” he remembers. Time to time Muchira was sponsored to attend musical training seminars conducted by “Mitarakwa Ya Lebanon” composer where he mastered sheet music. 

Coming to Nairobi, he joined a music centre led by a Kenyatta University lecturer Mr Ogola and got further training at Kenya Conservatoire of Music. He ended up with a Diploma in Music and in 2000, joined the famed Kayamba Africa. There he got experience under training of Mr. Keya. “Kayamba had not splintered then,” recalls Muchira. 

Through the 1500shs Muchira got from Kayamba Africa, singing at ceremonies like weddings, he could pay rent at Mathare North. Since he had sufficient musical experience, he formed the 20 member, Tarumbeta Africa Choir. Through it, they rearranged traditional Kikuyu songs and sang them at ceremonies as he continued training church choirs. One of the first paychecks they got as members was at a wedding in Kariobangi South, where as six members earned 500shs each in 2003. 

Birthing Githaa Kia Ngai

That confirmed to him that they were not badly off as Tarumbeta Africa. As songs they sang they didn’t have copyrights, he opted to compose his own. That birthed his debut album Githaa Kia Ngai (God’s Timing) which took years to mature until recording in 2009. At Dede records where the album was cut, it took 6 months to complete it as he recorded when money was available. It cost him around Shs180,000 plus shooting the accompanying videos. 

The title song ‘Githaa Kia Ngai’ he wrote it as a personal encouragement due to hardships he went through with his friends. “It’s a song urging people to trust GOD,” said Muchira. He recalls he got the message first then the melody later, though it took months to fine tune the song. The album has other songs addressing handling of marriage conflicts and importance of communication. “See if the family is sorted, the society will be okay,” advises Muchira. 

Composition Motivation and Advice

His motivation to those who listen to his music is to give them hope and urge them, to thank GOD for life, regardless of what they go through. Currently (2014) Muchira is working on follow up album as the first one approach nearly 3000 copies in sales. His advice to budding gospel musicians is being resilient and have right motives when in gospel music, even if they don’t get instant breakthrough.

Singing Githaa

“If the album flops, don’t stop singing if GOD, gave You the message,” he adds. Still he adds the album needs to be produced in a good studio and be of quality. Muchira also advises budding musicians to allow songs they compose to be critiqued by established luminaries. “Ben Githae does that to my songs and even music tutors to ensure they are fine,” said Muchira. He also cautions on fame and money getting into ones head, after being successful as that leads to a quick downfall. 

Notable Performances

Some notable performances he has done were at Kariobangi PCEA Church, Kimunye ACK Church at Martha Karua’s thanksgiving, and PCEA Memorial Church Thika at a wedding. Still he yearns to minister in US or UK where his mentors like Ben Githae, Loise Kim and Charles Kingori have gone. His aim in coming years, is to be releasing 2 albums yearly not only in Kikuyu language but Swahili and English. 

Besides music, Muchira has been a Master of Ceremonies (MC) since 2006 which he ventured on noticing gaps existing in that sector, after attending many occasions. He also believes Kirinyaga musicians can sing as well as others from Central Kenya. His immediate aim is to release one album in the near future, purely sang in Kirinyaga dialect. 

To get to where he is, Muchira is grateful to DJ Macjoj who put his videos on Youtube, and presenters Jeff Kuria of Inooro FM, Evans Wanyoike of Kameme FM and KK of Coro FM who got his music on air. In addition he is grateful to his encouraging mum and his wife and skeptical Dad gradually appreciating his music. 

Reach Muchira on kikuyumusicians@gmail.com 

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Kaka Man Nduati: The singing cop shares his passion for music and law enforcement

Today, the man born in Kandara, Muranga in the 70s as, Isaac Kibugi Nduati is popularly known as Kakaman Nduati the singing cop or ‘msikari mwimbi’ in broken Swahili. With 11 albums released to date, the latest being clearing and forwarding ‘wendo wa teargas’ Kakaman Nduati is at ease juggling his twin loves of law enforcement and music.

Growing Up

Growing up as young boy, Nduati counts himself fortunate, he identified his love of creative arts as early as when in Class 3 in Mahutia Primary School. He was not just an active participant in church and school, music and drama festivals but he led most of them. So much so that his relatives told him he took after Kibugi a grandfather he was named after. In his hey days, the elder Kibugi charmed ladies when singing ‘Kibata’ a Kikuyu traditional dance.

At a young age Nduati, loved to listen to Joseph Kamaru’s music especially ‘Muhiki wa Mikosi’ and DK Kamau. By the time he was in Class 7 in 1987, his talent blossomed and at school music festivals he got to provincial level through a solo folk song he performed. His headmaster then Mr Ngomi encouraged him in his artistic pursuits. By class 8 he topped all festivals church and school he participated in some pieces he also composed. After primary school he got admitted to Kiruri High School and all fired up to perform arts in high school.

High School Artistic Exploits

In Form 1 he dived straight to arts and even began coaching Form 4’s in preparation for the festivals and leading some of the compositions. Nduati’s immediate creative influence was visible as Kiruri High for the first time got to district level. In Form 2 working in tandem with their patron they prepared 7 artistic pieces of which 5, took 1^st place the rest 2^nd place at divisional levels and they proceeded to district levels.

For all their artistic exploits, the school principal didn’t share in their celebration. Instead the group got wind on the eve of district festivals that they had been banned from performing at district level. The group led by Nduati took their grievances to an educational officer in Kangema who organized a bus from Kangema High to pick them at 5am at the parade ground on material day. They proceeded to Kigumo Bendera for the district festivals without the blessing of their principal and their patron not informed. Of the 7 pieces they performed 2 were number 1 and another number 2, and had qualified for the provincial level.

The education officer who had assisted them facilitated the group with expenses to perform at provincial levels where they got to second place. That weekend they came back to school with 2^nd place trophies and certificates from zonal level and on Monday during parade presented them to their patron. Their prinicipal was livid and before he could suspend the arts group led by Nduati a school strike happened. As a result most of the arts group led by Nduati was expelled for good by the school board as they were perceived as strike instigators.

Light Bulb Moment

Looking back, Nduati says the expulsion was a blessing in disguise and it shaped the person he is today a soldier musician. His father was bitter with him over the fees he had paid for him. However Nduati promised that he would get another school and be admitted. He got offered a place at Gaichanjiru High School but settled on Gituro High School due to its emphasis on performing arts. An arts teacher Mr Omurunga who had adjudicated Nduati in the past, pleaded with the principal to admit him on learning he was expelled at Kiruri over his love of performing arts.

Since Nduati hadn’t studied third term of Form 2 he was examined to see if fit to be in Form 3 in 1992. He did well and was admitted in Form 3. The day he officially reported the drama group patron Mr Omurunga gave him a script. He played the lead character ‘Magoto wa Gituru’ which became the talk during festivals. From zonal to provincial level Nduati won best actor but for the play Damu that didn’t proceed to nationals. However, in the second term during music festivals Nduati won best soloist for a vernacular recital (marebeta). “It wowed people,’’ he recalls.

Form 4 however served as the ultimate climax of Nduati’s artistic exploits in high school. He was made the entertainment captain and composed a ‘marebeta’ title ‘Unduire Witu’ that won up to national levels. That opened a door for Nduati to perform to Kenya’s former President Moi at State House Nairobi. The president though not understanding Kikuyu was left in stitches and the education minister then JJ Kamotho was his translator. “By God’s grace I was able to balance my studies and arts and didn’t fail the final exams,’’ Nduati told Kikuyu Musicians.

After High School

After high school, he was called back by Gituru High principal to coach the arts group. He co-wrote a play with Mr Omurunga titled ‘Nguvu za Giza.’ One of the best actors to emerge from the play was Ann Ngugi of K24. In 1996 he tried out for the police and was selected and joined Police College at Kiganjo. Afterwards he was posted in Nairobi with rank of constable and used to do patrols around Nairobi. Then his musical gift was still bugging him. When Nduati got the opportunity at events or clubs he sang songs of musicians like John Ndemethiu or Mugithi which towards late 90s was beginning to be popular. “People would appreciate,” Nduati recalls.

Musical Debut

Tired of singing other peoples songs, he financed and released his first album Cecilia in 2006 which was a hit. In it was the song ‘Ngai teithia Thigari’ (God help the cops). In 2007 he sang a political album ‘Kibaki Tena’ for Kibaki praising him for his development record. Album 3 was ‘Muhunjia Opposite’ a satirical aimed at false preachers which also had a song ‘Susanna Kurungara.’ Album 4 was ‘Kiwendo Kia Nguvu’ in 2008 with a peace song ‘tutikanacokere mbara’ after the post election violence skirmishes.

Road Accident

In 2009 Nduati was involved in an accident within Nairobi when a tuk tuk he was travelling on was hit by a matatu and fractured a left leg. While in crutches he did a gospel album ‘Massage ya Kiroho’ as a thanks to GOD for sparing his life. He admits it didn’t do well and I felt maybe I wasn’t called to be in gospel music. Album 6 was a hit propelled by title song like ‘Afande inthe Box’ based on a true story Nduati investigated as a police officer. It’s based on a man conned by a lady who was an inmate. It also had ‘Konje Gakwa’ another hilarious yet popular song and ‘Nyagu Gakwa’ a high energy drum dominated dance track.

Album 7 was 'Nimugucua' which also did well as per Nduati. Album 8 Mama Dondosa churned out perhaps Nduati most popular Kikuyu Songs like Kindiria Urimu and Ngero Ya Mbia. The two songs are hilarious and comical as Nduati sings them as imagined stories. Album 9 titled Nani Yuko Salama followed. It’s a Swahili album that touches on dangerous issues police go through in line of duty. Album 10 titled ‘Nyumba Ya Uthamaki’ was a political album released early 2013, praising Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as Kenya’s president. The album sold around 5000 copies on release in TNA strongholds of Central Kenya.

Latest Album

His latest album 11 features Clearing and Forwarding/‘Wendo wa Teargas’ song and was released July 1^st 2013 about a lady Doctor who fell in love with an police officer quelling riots during a doctors strike. The officer provided the lady with water to wipe her eyes off teargas. The album also has a song on national cohesion titled ‘Twendanira’ and another ‘Maitu wa Ruriri on Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Compositions

Nduati admits in his compositions he incorporates various genres like Chakacha, Pop and lingala. “I sit down with my instrumentalists and instruct them how to play,” he said. Composing for him comes naturally almost like a spiritual experience that hits him even when he is working as a police officer. “It’s something abrupt,” says Nduati. ‘Mama Dondosa’ and ‘Afande in the Box’ have sold 15,000 coped and Nyumba ya Uthamaki 10,000 as per Nduati.

Music and Police Duty

As a singing police officer Nduati is appreciative of his seniors who have never hindered him from engaging his talent. Now in Matuu Nduati appreciates his boss Superintendent Joel Sang who is supportive of his musical endeavors. For him though music earns him more he is passionate and proud police officer which he will be until he retires. “That title the singing cop makes me proud,” he said especially when in events or clubs where fellow cops, warders or army attend. “They cheer knowing that is one, of their own,” said an overwhelmed Nduati.

When in police duties he admits with a laughter at times finding it hard to arrest people. “Its my job but I thank GOD I’ve never been in dangerous situations even when I was in patrol Nairobi,” he adds. As he is based in operations room in Yatta Police division that gives him flexibility to compose songs as his police work is from 8am to 5pm job. Most of his shows are on evenings from 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays on those weekends he is booked to perform. “Having seniors who support is vital, I’ve never been harassed for singing,” said Nduati. None of Nduati’s two sons have an interest in music. His first born is studying Bachelor of Science in statistics at Kenyatta University the younger in Primary school.

Nduati admits he is open to performing outside Kenya if given a chance. Radio Jambo owned by Njoki wa Ndegwa, in Boston recently interviewed him asking when he will perform. “They play my songs there,” said Nduati. His most memorable performance was in 2008 before he had an accident. Then he was involved a promotion that cemented his status as a central Kenya performer. Fans can interact with him at www.facebook.com/officialkakamannduati

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Ben Githae: The “mabataro makwa” hit maker shares his colorful musical journey

Before Ben Githae, sung Kikuyu gospel music for Kenya and the rest of the world, his first audience as a young boy growing up in Nduthi-Ini Village, Gatundu South comprised of coffee pickers. Instead of picking coffee, he would be perched on a coffee tree and singing for those picking. “My passion for music started at an early age,” remembers Githae.

Growing Up

He attended Muthurumbi Primary School and at that age knew he had a special gift among his peers of memorizing songs. As he remembers once he heard a song, he needed to hear it just once more, to be able to memorize it all, without messing any word. “I think I loved singing more than I do today as then I was a fan today other people are my fans,” Githae told Kikuyu Musicians. At primary school, other children came so he could copy songs lyrics for them. That led him to be nicknamed ‘Karendiu’ (small radio) for his love of anything singing.

Early Musical Influences

In the era of mid 70s the likes of John Ndichu of ‘Cucu wa Gakunga’ fame and later Mary Wambui, Mary Atieno, Shari Martin and the Kassangas in the 80s were musicians Githae admired. In primary school he was the vocalist during school festivals. He also at an early age was involved in Kikuyu children radio programs at KBC hosted by Jemimah Mwaura like Nyihia Hwai. Those programs used to tell stories of Wangombe wa Ihura and Githae would also sing on them.

Afterwards he went to Ituro high school where singing took a backseat to acting though he still sang traditional songs. “I was a very good actor and well known in Gatundu,” said Githae. After high school and getting a C+, his grandmother employed him, in her Posho mill as Githae explored his college options. Incidentally another now famed Kikuyu Gospel Musician Jane Muthoni used to work with Githae in that Posho Mill. Jane Muthoni, has actually composed a song “Ciugo Cia Kanua” based on her experience working in that Posho Mill owned by Githae’s grandparents.

Entry to recording

Working there, did not dim Githae’s musical aspirations in the village he was known as Githae of Carry 1 who loves to sing and works in a Posho Mill. Carry 1 was his grandfather’s nickname. Then in 1994 he got born again and with Jane Muthoni they used to compose songs at the Posho Mill. They also began leading praise and worship in churches around Gatundu and got many invites. “But we were good according to village standards,” recalls Githae laughing. In 1995, Githae composed ‘Mwiri Uyu’ while Jane also composed the famed hit ‘Giagai na hinya mwi thiini wa Mwathani.’ He desired to record.

People advised him to tape himself in a cassette then, approach a producer with recorded material. He approached Joseph Kamaru in 1996 with samples and Kamaru felt Githae could sing. As he had no money to record, all production expenses were shouldered by Kamaru. His first album ‘Mwiri Uyu’ was released that year. Githae remembers challenges for a budding musician then, wishing to have music receive radio airplay on KBC was that one had to go through known producers. Then it was the era of producers like Kamaru, Kassangas, Kimani Thomas and Wamaitu Productions.

Parental Resistance

The desire by Githae to be a musician wasn’t shared by his mom. Among the college options explored for Githae by his aunt was studying to be a teacher. There was also an uncle who could have connected him to study in medical college as a clinical officer. But Githae was adamant he wanted to be in music. This irked her mother, to thinking he was crazy. She would challenge Githae to be in a respectable dignified profession like a teacher or clinical officer not a musician. He persisted on his stand and in 1996 released ‘Mwiri uyu’ produced by Kamaru.

“I didn’t earn much from the album, the terms were awful but all the same I became a musician,” said Githae. The agreement with Kamaru was that per cassette sold he would earn Sh10. However for him to start earning the Sh10 per cassette, Kamaru would first have to sell 2000 cassettes to offset his production expenses. Still he managed to sell the 2000 copies and started receiving the cash.

For his second album he approached Peter Kigia who had better terms. Kigia gave him a down payment and per cassette sold Githae would earn Sh20 since he perceived Githae would sell and had talent. There he released a famed Swahili album “Chunga Ulimi Wako.” In 2002 he decided to self produce and around then Kameme FM had launched so for Githae who was a household name taking his music there was easy. He released ‘Aganu no Marithira’ he would sell it in crusades and churches and also released ‘Ndathima’ album. In 2005 he released ‘Nigukwagira.’ But in 2006 Githae decided to modernize his recording from the River Road style.

Kisima Award

The next album was produced at an up market studio in Westlands. It produced a monster of Swahili hit ‘Mulianza na Roho’ that won Githae a Kisima Award. In 2007 he released ‘ona ageria niekuremwo’ album that had hits like ‘niwe unjikite uu Mwathani’ and ‘irathimo Ciakwa.’ The following year he released ‘Timiza Maono’ a Swahili album. In 2010 he released the famed ‘Mabataro Makwa’ album which was a crossover hit among various tribes in Kenya. In 2011 he released ‘kaba kwiyaria’ and ‘witue mundu’ albums the latter a wisdom for living hit. In 2012 he released ‘Tabia Mbaya’ album and his latest in 2013 is ‘Guthii ni Guthii’ with hits like jubilee.

Composing Style and Mabataro Makwa Influence

Being such a prolific musician, when composing Githae draws song writing inspiration from situations he observes and the Bible. He also strives to make his songs relatable to everyday living. “Ultimately it’s GOD who gives me revelation,” said Githae. For his cross over hit ‘Mabataro Makwa’ he composed the song while on a plane from US to London seated near an old white grandma from UK. As he assisted her buckle and open a can of soda, the grandma would narrate to Githae of how rich she was, and properties she owned but not in a prideful manner. She told Githae, all she does nowadays is travel around the world to see her children and grandchildren.

As he flew from UK to Nairobi inspiration for ‘Mabataro Makwa’ hit Githae and the song about him desiring to be blessed by GOD abundantly occupied him. In the song there is a phrase if GOD created the earth and heavens by his Word, fulfilling Githae’s needs is no big deal to him. When he landed in Nairobi he polished the song that subsequently became a de facto spiritual anthem to every Kenyan, with needs waiting on GOD to fulfill them.

For Githae, composing comes chronologically like a story with melodies in tow. But there are songs that are problematic that he at times has to rest when composing and resume later with a fresh outlook. “ But others take 20 minutes,” he said. He attributes the longevity of his songs to GOD’s favor and also writing messages that relate to people and are Biblical. He points to a song like ‘Mulianza na Roho’ to illustrate how that Biblical message he based the song on, as still relevant today.

Humility amidst fame

Regardless of the fame he has received, Githae regards humility as key to exaltation. “Don’t let the celebrity mentality get into your head you will become prideful,” he said. “Let your songs go up in fame and leave you down here as Ben Githae,” he adds. According to him songs are the hit not the musicians. Though piracy he admits has hit him, he says advances in technology have opened other avenues for earning through music like Safaricom’s Skiza tunes and ringtones. “Concerts and shows I perform in can’t be pirated and I can’t complain, GOD has blessed me,” he adds.

Memorable Performances

To date Githae cites 3 shows as his most memorable performances. The first was in Nyayo Stadium hosted by Kameme FM where on taking the stage, people left the stands and run to the pitch to sing. The other was in Nyeri during the launch of Kikuyu Bible where Kenya’s former president Mwai Kibaki was attending. As Githae recalls, the former president even stood to sing and sway to the music which is uncharacteristic of him. The last event was by Safaricom in Meru, where he was a supposed to be a curtain raiser to the likes of Jaguar but he instead eclipsed them. “I went to that stage and the crowd atmosphere changed it gave me lots of joy,” Githae remembers.

Advice to Upcoming Artistes

His advice to upcoming musicians wishing to make it into the industry is to have their music professionally produced and aggressively push it to radio and TV. “Still it’s all about GOD’s favor and timing when it’s your time HE will make a way,” says Githae. Besides singing, Githae plays drums and by his humorous admission, is an amateur keyboard player who plays at events when no one else is available to play. He also prefers to sing live if instrumentalists are available than with playback.

For this father of two daughters, His faith in Christ guides him and has to coincide with his music to avoid misleading people. This year 2013 he turns 40 and is not ashamed to admit it.

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