Chama brought together by melody

The Bungoma County Choir. The members emphasise the choir has
no working relationship with the local county government. [PHOTO:
DANIEL PSIRMOI]

By DANIEL PSIRMOI

Bungoma, Kenya: They are a new sensation in the western Kenya region. The musical performances of the group of 48 men and women draw huge crowds both in Bungoma and in other counties. While some fans are eager to catch a glimpse of the choir members and the colourful outfits they wear on each occasion, many are drawn to their melodic voices and dancing styles.

Meet the Bungoma County Choir whose training sessions at a local hotel in Bungoma town pack the hall with curious onlookers. The choir, made up of 35 women and 13 men was formed in June 2012, is a common feature in public functions in the county and they have also performed nationally.

The choir chairperson Joan Kasembeli who spoke to The Counties, said that the group is made up of individuals who came together with a mission to entertain, preach the Gospel and also educate the public on various topics including living peacefully and fighting the HIV/Aids scourge and early pregnancies.

Mrs Kasembeli emphasises the choir has no working relationship with the local county government and neither is it the official Bungoma County Government choir, as many people would imagine. She says it draws its membership from different churches in Bungoma town and its environs and they are all committed Christians.

She clarifies that they only bear a similar name, and their group was officially registered under the Ministry of The State and National Heritage and Culture on 10 August, 2012, long before the county government took shape.
“The first requirement before one becomes a member of the choir is that he or she must belong to a church. We don’t just allow anybody to join us unless you subscribe to a certain church and we ensure we have followed up with a member to know if they are a born again Christian,” said the chairperson.

Mrs Kasembeli noted that they also promote patriotism, showcase various cultures and enhance artistic talents through singing which is their core mandate.

According to Mrs Kasembeli, managing the large number of individuals in the team, considering that each has different personalities coupled with lack of finances, bogs them down from time to time.

It is a tough job splitting the fees they get paid after performing in various functions including weddings, funerals, national or public functions. They are also invited for road shows for various companies. Their earnings are sometimes not sufficient, as they are forced to split it to each of the group members.

The choir secretary Vincent Were, his deputy Teresa Kinuthia and the Treasurer Linet Bwakali echo the chairlady’s sentiments and add that some of the main challenges the choir faces is lack of coordination during practices and lack of a stable source of income to sustain them because majority of them are jobless.

They also note that they lack musical instruments and accompaniments, uniforms and money for them to do recording. This, they say, has hindered their growth.

“Without money even if we are invited to perform in various functions we can’t go because of lack of money or transport, that is why we have to go the extra mile by contributing our own money to attend such functions, which is a bit strenuous,” said Mr Were.

“We have a calling and the talent to sing but these challenges are a big letdown. If we can get well-wishers, sponsors and non-governmental organisations to help us financially, we will appreciate it because it will help us perform better,” said Mrs Kasembeli.

Bungoma County choir last year performed in the Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals and emerged one of the best among the choir groups. They were position one in set piece and folk song categories from district to national level and position two in the own choice category.

Abraham Nyangada, who is the director and trainer of the choir, is assisted by Benard Wawire and Constant Simiyu.

The choir members plan to record their songs so that they can get airplay and eventually reap from their hard labour.