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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Martin wa Janet: On musical journey anchored in perseverance amidst turmoil

Tough beginnings in life don’t necessarily mean the ends will be painful. That rings true for one Martin wa Janet 30 years, whose journey to the pinnacle of Kikuyu Gospel Music has been rife with challenges, self doubt, mocking and faith amidst hopelessness. All that has shaped Martin to fully depend and trust in GOD, at all times regardless of the pain through seasons of life.

Early Life

Known for inspiring hits like Nituririkanitwo and Nitumwinyihire with Obedi, life for this turbaned man (mkorino) began in Kihiu Mwiri, Muranga County. He attended PK primary and secondary school up to Form 3 where personal problems forced him to drop out. Hazy about what to do in life, he left Muranga for Kiambu and was housed by Mama Jane. He joined a local akorino church Africa Mission Holy Ghost headed by Bishop Ezra Njoroge where he played drums with vigour. 

In his teenage years, Martin, spent almost 4 years jobless in Kiambu but got a job in a hotel in downtown Nairobi around 2003, where he earned Sh100 daily. The hotel job proved a challenge for his slight frame, and one day the excessive heat in the kitchen caused him to vomit. The hotel owner reprimanded him and Martin begged him to give him one more month. He became a waiter but waiting hassles proved tiring he worked less than 3 months and quit. He also lost his beloved mom that year.

Trials as Matatu Conductor

A man who had a matatu noticed Martin jobless and loitering Kiambu town and offered him a job as a conductor for Kiambu town route 100, a job he did until 2008. As a conductor he desired to sing and after work composed songs but lacked recording money. “My heart was in music,” recalls Martin. He was influenced by fellow akorino gospel musicians like Sammy Nene and Hezeh Ndungu.

As a conductor, wearing the akorino white turban he experienced lots of trials. He recalls a time while hanging on Matatu door his turban accidentally fell off, and a passenger asked him sarcastically asked him what was that, that fell off his head. Also being a born again Christian donning a turban, traffic police loathed him, as he never due to his faith gave bribes. One police got so irritated at Martin’s refusal to bribe that he pulled a turban from his head and threw it to the vehicle. “It was hurtful and being a born again conductor I encountered many problems,” recalls Martin smiling. 

Working with Dennis Mutara

As fate would have it, as a conductor he met famous gospel artiste Dennis Mutara who sold oranges near a supermarket in Kiambu in 2006 while dabbling in his budding musical career. Then in 2008 Mutara released ‘Ngai angikiuga Niukugia’ album which he distributed around Central Kenya with a public address system. Martin joined his distribution entourage and they would go to crusades and open air market to sell them. Martin with funding from Mama Jane recorded his 7 track debut album ‘Ngai niwenjire Githima’ which was played intermittently on radio. 

Still to get the master CD from recording studio took him 3 months to raise sh15, 000. He followed it up with ‘Mwarie ciugo cia Ngai’ and ‘Ngai Tutumire Mundu’ both received limited airplay and acceptance. In 2009 he recorded ‘Mwathani Tuonerie haria tugutheremera.’ 

Breakthrough to Mainstream

Through his albums he got invited to lead akorino ‘kigooco live’ praise in 2010 every Sunday 5am to 6am at Inooro FM at Muturi wa Muiru’s show Kimuri Kia Inooro. For two years He pounded the akorino drums for an hour and sing. Eventually he got invited by Evangelist Lucy wa Ngunjiri to lead praise in crusades by her Beyond Boundaries Ministries. With 6 albums to date ^th album Jehovah ni Muthamaki both played prominently in Kikuyu FM radio stations. 

two songs that brought him prominence are Nituririkanitwo off his latest album and a collaboration with Obedi ‘Nitumwinyihirie’ off the 4

Challenges in Music

To get the recognition he has today Martin admits it’s been hard and he questioned his musical ability and God’s will in his life in the song (Ngai Niwe Niwanduire Mwariria) album 4. He recalls going to major events and selling only two CDs and getting arrested by the city council while hawking his music on a small radio. Potential customers also made false promises to buy his music. One moment that left him shattered, was when he accompanied Mutara to Nanyuki. Martin carried 300CDs for the event and by day 3 had sold 5 only for Sh500. Broke and worse off than he came, Mutara bailed him out by paying for his accommodation and food as his CDs were selling. 

Disappointed, on the last day Martin stood on stage and announced “I want to know if it’s my music you hate or don’t have money,” he decided to sell them at half price of Sh50 to get fare. Travelling back to Kiambu from Nanyuki he felt disappointed but realized maybe GOD’s time had not come. “If GOD has to lift you up, you will be tested by fire so that you are full of revelation,” observes Martin.

Besides lack of money for recording, Martin says getting his music recognized was hard. Having realized there are hundreds of thousands of Kikuyu musicians he knew for his music to reach masses, GOD would have to intervene. “If you are unknown musician you get ignored at events but work hard on your craft and leave the rest to GOD to uplift you,” says Martin. 

First Radio Airplay

Getting airplay in Kikuyu Radio stations wasn’t easy and he savors the moment in 2008 when his song ‘Niwe wenjire Githima’ got played first time on air at Kameme FM. “I felt reborn, reinvigorated and thanked GOD for it,” said Martin. According to Martin one can spend lots of money on recording but what matters is GOD’s favor and prayers. “You can write a song it gets lots of airplay but if GOD doesn’t open the ears of listeners to love your music, it won’t be accepted or bought,” he said. 

Composing Process

When composing Martin reads the Bible for revelation and connects the message to everyday life people go through. It takes him a day or over a month to perfect one song depending on subject matter he focuses on. For the Nitumwinyihirie with Obedi he wrote the chorus, and Obedi wrote most verses, a process that took 6 months to complete the collaborated album. The tune according to Martin comes naturally as he gets the lyrics. Besides the Bible he values listening to sermons as they provide him with songwriting ideas. To produce 1 album costs him around Sh100, 000 with Video shooting included.

Advice to Budding Musicians

His advice to budding gospel artistes is to go into it if one is sure it’s the call of GOD so incase an album flops you soldier on. Otherwise an artiste driven to gospel music for money gets disappointed if his first album flops. He also advises one not to enter music because of a wave. Personally Martin has observed people who sold a cow to record because they saw a neighbor record and be successful. He observes such end selling the CD”s to family or close friends and go back to the village broke and disillusioned. Though piracy has hit him he estimates to have sold almost 100, 000 of his albums VCDs included. 

Notable Shows

Martin has sung in notable shows for Kameme FM thanksgiving at Kirigiti stadium Kiambu, Inooro FM road shows and at book launch in KICC attended by Kalonzo Musyoka. But for a visa denial he was to perform in California accompanying Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri. The father of one says the key to being lifted up by GOD is by singing from revelation to give hope to the listeners and humility before GOD.

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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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Here we have the bios of all famous Kikuyu Musicians

This Blog by Kikuyu Musicians is dedicated to all past and present Kikuyu Musicians. gospel or pop. Here we post their brief Biographies and their musical journey singing in Kikuyu. Very soon we will begin posting biographies of musicians like John Njagi, Kigutha, Gacathi wa Thuo, Peter Kigia, Albert Gacheru, Sammy Muraya Sr & Jr among others. So support us as we try and immortalize them online. We will also begin posting profiles of the guitarists behind those chords like "we niwe njata yakwa by Ndemethiu" and "Tigana na Andu" by Dennis Mutara. We will also post videos of their latest music here. So be patient as we do these profiles in the next few months. If You know any musician interested in having his profile here contact us on kikuyumusicians@gmail.com
God Bless You and join me in celebrating and immortalizing our Gikuyu and Mumbi lyrical legends.

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