Siaya to host Afro Folk Music Festival
Ohangla star Otieno Aloka.
As part of the efforts to mark World Music Day next Saturday, Muziki Santuri Network will host a special event at the Afro Folk Music Fest to be held at the Umala Chief’s Camp in East Alego, Siaya County.
The show will also feature performances by Ohangla star Otieno Aloka of Kanungo hit song fame, Stephen Jomo (Nyatiti Lyre), Osogo Winyo Manyako (Dodomusic Women Ensemble), Olith Ratego (Modern Afrofolk fusion) and Owila Odwanya (Nyatiti Lyre). Notably, Aloka besides the Kanungo song he is known for other songs like Tera Moss and Nyaramba.
Ohangal musician Otieno Aloka during a past performance.
As for Osogo Winyo Manyako this will be an opportunity to showcase her prowess as an up-and-coming lady musician. Similarly, for Olith Ratego and the rest it will be a chance to showcase their best in music.
Speaking to Saturday Nation earlier this week, George Ouma, who is among the event organisers, said they had opted to stage the show in a rural setting with a view to reaching out to those upcountry. “The Siaya music event is expected to be the flagship for us in marking the World Music Day in Kenya next weekend,’’ he said.
Ouma also said he had teamed up with Them Mushrooms band leader John Katana Harrison and Aghan Odero Agan in organising the show also dubbed “Taking music to the villagers”. Entrance is free for the show to start at 10am and end at 6pm.
The Alego area in Siaya has also been known to be home to many Nyatiti and traditional ohangla musicians. For rhumba music fans Alego-Usonga is also home to the late legendary Musa Juma of Limpopo International band, benga musician Odham Wembe. Other well-known benga musicians from Siaya County are Linet Aluoch Pamba, Dr Osito Kalle, Omondi Baba Dogo, among others. Elsewhere, the Mombasa-based Amitie Musica band, Les Incomparables led by Crispen Tambwe, perform every Saturday and Sunday at the Maasai Utange in Mombasa. At the Village Market, Gigiri lined up today is the Acoustic and Beats- Femme Fusion from 6pm.
Elsewhere, this year's Blankets and Wine show to be held on June 29, will not only be the 16th edition, but a celebration of African Sound featuring an international star-studded line-up.
The event to be held at the Laureate Garden, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarni, will feature performances by Tanzanian songbird Saida Karoli, Ssaru, Serro, We are Nubia, Joshua Baraka, Mi Casa, among others.
Elsewhere, a special disco party for fans of disco music from the 1980s to early 2000s dubbed “Back & Forth- Garden Edition School party” is set to be held on July 5 at the Rosedale Gardens Kilimani on Rose Avenue in Nairobi. The disco music will be by DJ Pinye, DJ Kareez and DJ Me Supafly.