Mwomboko singer David Mwangi alias Kamoko credits his career rise partially to his in-laws in Germany. Kamoko married a German woman he met while performing at an entertainment spot. The marriage came with support and gigs in Germany.

In an interview, he disclosed how heartbreaks while dating Kenyan women made him take a break from relationships for a year before meeting his wife.

"What they did to me when I was struggling made me decide not to marry a Kenyan girl. I am not saying all our girls are like that. There are many nice ladies. I think I had bad luck in relationships made here," he said.

His music career took off after he recorded his first song, Sponsor. He later released hit songs; Mwomboko, Ndiri Kinanda, Gacuni, and Tukuminyua Ithire.

It is however his prowess in playing the accordion that thrust him into the limelight. He landed collaborations with singers Jose Gatutura and DJ Fatxo.

"I learned how to play the accordion via YouTube five years ago. My wife's grandfather owned an accordion. When visiting Kenya they carried it for me to practice and perform in shows," he said.

Later his mother-in-law gifted him the musical instrument during their wedding anniversary. The instrument made over a century ago served him well but later broke down. Fans pressured him into acquiring another for Sh200,000.

The second born in a family of six started out as a dancer before securing a government and Unicef-sponsored talent-training opportunity in 2010.

He trained in guitar and honed his skills as a singer.

[James Mwangi]