Music galore to mark hand-over ceremony

By George orido

Nairobi, Kenya: Tuesday’s historic swearing-in ceremony has a rich menu of music performances in a repertoire designed to reflect the face of the country.

It will also award loyalty to artistes who participated in the Jubilee alliance campaigns.

A sneak preview into the list of performers who were involved in a full dress rehearsal and continuing today shows a blend of traditional renditions and youthful pop music.

Top on the list is Jaguar’s Kigeugeu – ironically a critical indictment of Kenya’s political leadership that was bedeviled with runaway corruption, public affairs mismanagement and erosion of public trust and confidence. He will also perform Matapeli, a sequel to Kigeugeu.

Jaguar, known for his electric stagecraft and singing sing-along numbers, is expected to keep the 60,000-strong audience at Moi International Sports Complex Kasarani on their feet.

Emmy Kosgey, a close ally of the deputy President-elect William Ruto, will be on hand to belt her South African inspired Taunet Nelel (New Beginning). It will be a sweet moment for the diva as she is on record attributing her success in music to Ruto’s intervention.

Not lost to observers, Emmy’s own father was a star witness in Ruto’s defence in a case facing him at The Hague. She will also perform Ololo.

Rufftone’s Mungu Baba featuring the General Service Unit choir will be on just before King of Kapungala, the one and only Daddy Owen.

Rufftone’s brother Owen will render his award-winning hits System ya Kapungala and sway the crowd with his pacer Tobina.

He will then mellow into the soul-searching Mbona featuring equally inspiring Dennoh.

In what will turn out to be a youthful show, Madtraxx will bridge in with Get down and playful Skamaress.

Ally B will serenade the audience including regional and international guests with the romantic Mariah.

Monetary issues will be better explored by Abbas as he sings Chapaa and Toklezea.

Shaking shoulders

And cool soft music will continue to flow as Sauti Soul perform Soma Soma and Range Rover medley.

The fabled Kenya Boys Choir that gained fame after performing at the US President Obama’s first inauguration celebrations in Washing DC, will Tuesday get the real deal as they perform their number Kenya, right before President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta. The culturally persuaded audience will not miss out as Narok High School sings and dances to their Maasai cultural moran dance, Ole Ntiya.

Western Province will energise the occasion through Imagina Isikuti Cultural dancers performing Luhya songs in praise of the new leader.

From the Lower Eastern, Kiangai Mwomboko dancers will be shaking their shoulders as they beat heavy drums and blow away that corded whistle. Their Upper Eastern counterparts, Karaman Chuka dancers will render a Meru traditional dance.

Not to be left behind will be the Kagan and Kochia dancers as they spice up the historical event with victory dance formations and patterns in their Luo Ramogi dance.

Colour will not be in short supply as H H Swamibapa Pipe Band renders Hindu pieces. Choral remix of the Moi-era Mwalimu Wasonga’s Tushangilie Kenya will be performed by the indefatigable National Hospital Insurance Fund choir under the directorship of Nick Emodiah.

Jemimah Thiong’o will get a prime slot just before the action as she leads a choral of Kenyatta and University of Nairobi on her hit song Mwenye Baraka.

To buttress the solemnity and patriotism of the occasion the evergreen Moipei Quartet will sing My Land is Kenya immediately after President Uhuru swears to defend the Constitution as Head of State and Commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.