‘King’ Ken rules Ukambani

By Stevens Muendo

With a lilting, rippling dance groove, the band sings melodies that curl through the crowd like vines on a trellis. I am at the Tops Restaurant in Mlolongo, where top Kamba bands usually perform. And on this night I am the guest of Ken wa Maria and his Yatta Orchestra International Band.

By 7pm, the band is on stage and the hundreds of fans streaming in seem to prove that wa Maria is currently the most sought-after Kamba benga artiste, following in the footsteps of Kakai Kilonzo with his Les Kilimambogo Brothers or Peter Muambi and Bosco Mulwa.

"Ndanu lika ngalini, ya mutongoi, twendete Mlolongo, na mutongoi…syindu sya mutongoi tii (Ndanu get into the honourable’s car, we are going to Mlolongo…see, here is the boss’s property.)," he sings, as the crowd joins in the hit song, Syindu Sya Mutongoi (the leader’s property).

And as the rhythm gains momentum, so does the crowd become more delirious, almost possessed. Baffled, I gasp and gaze in wonder.

Ken Wambua aka Ken wa Maria has cut a niche for himself, attracting thousands of fans across the country. However, his controversial lyrics have often put him on a warpath with fellow artistes and conservative traditional leaders. His political ambitions, too, have earned him friends and foes.

Ken wa Maria ‘Mutongoi’

In the run up to last year’s General Election, the singer released a single, Sakuai Mutongoi Muthini (Elect a Destitute Leader), off his fourth album, Rambi Rambi Makutano Chumvi. The song was perceived to be a subtle attack on Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo. Word soon spread that the dreadlocked singer was running for the Yatta seat. Given his huge fan base, no politician could risk ignoring him. But he surprised everybody by declaring he would contest Nairobi’s Embakasi Constituency instead. Nonetheless, this ambition was also eventually shelved.

To prove his popularity, when wa Maria arrived at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, at ODM Kenya’s presidential candidate Kalonzo Musyoka’s rally last year, he stole the show as the crowd jostled to catch a glimpse of him and demanded that he address them.

Political animal

But after rumours emerged that he had received death threats from his political opponents, the singer opted to concentrate on supporting Kalonzo, churning hit after hit in praise of the ODM Kenya leader (now Vice President).

The musician’s latest release, Mchagua Jembe si Mkulima, is laced with hits like Kalonzo Ika Nesa (Kalonzo Excel), which proclaim the VP as "Kamba’s chosen one", and the his detractors as "noisemakers".

The soft-spoken wa Maria released his debut album in 2004, causing ripples in the Kamba music scene with the hit, We Nzamithya Mwelu (Mwelu, Let Me Taste), whose lyrics were considered obscene.

In the song Mwelu, wa Maria’s purported lover, is frustrating him by failing to turn up for dates. The real-life Mwelu was not amused, and reportedly took legal action against the singer for portraying her as insincere.

Earlier this year, wa Maria threw his fans into confusion after he expressed his wish to become an evangelist. His reason? Being a pastor would afford him a decent lifestyle as he would be in control of offerings from the faithful.

Drama queen

In his endless drama, wa Maria was said to have been once arrested on Mombasa Road for allegedly flying a flag on his car, in ministerial fashion. After this incident, he bounced back, releasing the hit Nenziwe Nuu? (Who Shaved Me?), aimed at those who claimed his adored dreadlocks had been shaved while he was behind bars.

And last year, the star was involved in a road accident, which he blamed his enemies for causing. He later claimed in a song that they couldn’t match his powers. However, despite his penchant for controversy, wa Maria remains a darling to thousands and is now amassing millions out of his music sales and concerts.

Humble beginning

From his humble beginnings as a casual labourer in factories in Athi River town to a second hand clothes dealer in Gikomba Market, Nairobi, wa Maria has scaled the heights to emerge as one of Kenya’s few millionaire artistes. Indeed there is speculation he could be Kenya’s richest musician, which is no mean achievement in a country where artistes are synonymous with poverty.

Married to Angela and blessed with two children, wa Maria owns three cars (Toyota Gaia, Mitsubishi Lancer and a Prado), two matatus and a garage in Umoja Estate, Nairobi. He also has a music shop, which his wife runs. Recently, the Nairobi-based singer bought a beachfront house in Mombasa.

"Ken is a very humble man. He loves living big, swimming, dining and wining," says Katoto, his Mombasa-based friend.

And Ben Nzeki, a councillor and die-hard fan, adds: "I have watched Ken since his formative days and I can assure you, success hasn’t got into his head."

So is he still looking forward to becoming a politician?

"For now, I am just a musician," says wa Maria. And, yes, he has some news for me: I should count myself lucky to have been granted this interview, as he usually doesn’t talk to the local Press!