Rhythm king who ruled in the '80s

George Ondiek Ochieng had the rare opportunity to work with famous rhumba music artistes such as Samba Mapangala, John Ngeresa, Ajiko Toyambi alias Moreno Batamba, Omar Shaban (Professor Omar) and Tony Malanga in the early 80s.

The artiste, now known in music circles as Ondiek Junior, says his expertise in playing rhythm and bass guitar linked him to these feted musicians and together recorded hit songs such as Pamela, Jesicah, Stella, Virunga and Malaco Disco.

His interest started while he was in Form Two at Jamhuri High School. He had excelled in Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) 1978 national exams at Wire Primary in Homa Bay and earning a place in Jamhuri High.

Unfortunately, Ondiek came for a poor family and could not raise school fees. He says, “Realising that I was about to abandon school for lack of money, I turned to my talent – playing the guitar.” He had learned to play guitar in primary.

He joined Les Wanyika, a prominent band with Kenyan and Tanzanian members including Professor Omar, John Ngeresa, Isa Juma, Tony Malanga and Muhammed Tika, at Garden Square. Ondiek played both rhythm and bass guitar.

Through performing with the band, he raised enough money to pay school fees. “The school knew my involvement in music but could not bar me since that is how I raised my fees,” he says, adding that he made at least Sh300 per show.

In 1981 while in Form Three, Les Wanyika relocated to Mombasa leaving him in the cold. He was a student and therefore could not travel.

He joined another band, Orchestra Virunga Starlight, and performed along Samba Mapangala, Tabu Osusa, Lover Masimu, Sammy Kasule and Moreno Batamba.

Due to his skills in guitar, several bands came looking for him with a promise of better pay. In 1985, he joined Orchestra Shika Shika led by Jimmy Monimambo and had several performances at Alliance Nightclub.

Ondiek also worked with other bands like Super Mazembe which moved to USA in 1991 and later Orchestra Popollipo.

At this time he was to travel with Orchestra Popollipo to Japan but his parents opposed his travel. “I was afraid to traveling against their wish,” he says.

In fact, his parents had all along been totally against him being in music. Matters were made worse because he was a pastor’s son. “As a pastor’s son, being in music then considered as a wayward activity. My father felt that my involvement in music spoilt his image,” he says.

He reveals that his talent would not allow him leave to music. He therefore did it secretly, and being away from home was an advantage to him.

After Orchestra Popollipo left for Japan, Ondiek got saved and busied himself with church matters. He also briefly abandoned music and worked as laboratory technician with the Ministry of Health, stationed in Bondo, Narok, Kitui Central, and finally Nandi Hills District hospitals.

He then worked for National Bank of Kenya before venturing into private business. His business involves recycling bones and making curio products from them. He now exports his products to South Africa, Australia and USA.

Now, 23 years after parting ways with Orchestra Popollipo, Ondiek has formed Kabeka Digital Band and with it recorded his debut album, Kenya at 50. The album has patriotic songs such as Jubilee Government which urges citizens across political divide to work together with the government in place and Kenya at 50 that celebrates the achievements of the country since independence.

Others are Maisha ni Mapambano which advises Kenyans to continue working hard to realise their dreams and Pesa which says that money makes our lives better but everyone must look for it using legal means.

Ondiek who writes, composes, sings and plays various instruments says if he recorded music in the 80s, he would now be a household name but he has no regrets. “That is how God wanted it to be through my parents,” he says.

He says more patriotic and gospel songs are in the pipeline, with a second album coming in May.

The artiste cum teacher at Christ Ministry Church is married to Lydiah Wanjala Ondiek with five children; three girls and two boys.