Music fraternity mourns the deaths of two festival officials

The Kenyan music industry yesterday woke to the sad news of the deaths of two stalwart musicologists - Risper Oduor and Wycliffe Anyasi - leaving the hitherto lively music festival in Mombasa in a rather sombre mood.

The two were killed in a road accident involving a Booker Academy school bus in Nandi.

Mr Anyasi was known for his attention to detail and promotion of justice and more open adjudication approaches at the festival.

"As a ministry, we send our deep and heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Mr Anyasi and all those who were victims of the crash," said the Director of Quality and Standards Mohammed Mwinyipembe in Mombasa yesterday.

Benson Abwao, the executive secretary of the Kenya Music Festival who was also Anyasi's classmate in both high school and later Kenyatta University paid glowing tribute to the musician.

"I will miss his sense of humour and critical mind," he said.

Last year, Anyasi unsuccessfully contested the Emuhaya parliamentary seat.

Risper Oduor, who served as a member of the festival's National Executive Committee, was an accomplished choral musician with immense training experience both in schools and with professional groups including the Muungano Choir, which she headed until her death.

She is credited for putting back together the internationally acclaimed group after the death of its founder, former Voi MP Boniface Mganga.

"We will miss her charming ways and infectious smile," said Ronald Kala Ikutu, a former festival executive secretary.

Festival chairman Peter Wanjohi remembered Mrs Oduor for her dedication to the growth of Kenya's music industry.