Big-hearted musician strikes a rare harmony

By Mwangi Muiruri

At age 47, Sammy Nene is arguably the most accomplished Akorino gospel musician.

He has 173 tracks under his cap contained in 12 volumes and is currently working at having them recorded on VCD. Already, he has managed to shoot three of these volumes. Interestingly, in all his songs, the drum is the only instrument he uses.

His song Geithia Mundu (salute somebody) that he released in 2000 became an instant hit in nightclubs and was soon a sort of national anthem.

The song is an epitome of love that urges us to spread God’s love to our neighbours. And perhaps as an embodiment of his love campaign, Nene has assisted scores of people in making a name in the industry. This is despite the fact that he is an upcoming musician.

"There is nothing that gives me great satisfaction than being part of another gospel hit in the market," Nene says. "That is why I can sacrifice my time and resources to see a talent blossom."

His rise to stardom was not an easy shot. The challenges were a myriad, top of which was the stigma surrounding his religion.

Turban

Once, for instance, he was denied a job, which he qualified for, when his prospective employer noticed the turban on his head. "I wanted to raise funds to record my first album, but the man claimed that Akorinos were thieves, citing the case of one such employee who stole from him a couple of months earlier."

Faced with the reality of being jobless, Nene resorted to doing odd jobs despite being a trained accountant. At one moment in 1984, for instance, he secured a job as a tout for Lari Bus Services.

He later also worked briefly as a freelance photographer in Nakuru, making about Sh40 per week.

He says his musical inspiration was his mother. "She had such a sweet voice that I enjoyed listening to as she sang while carrying out her household chores," he says.

His other inspiration was his sister, "whose voice was a replica of mum’s."

He adds: "We sang religious songs together and soon neighbours began to appreciate our deep Akorino roots," he recalls.

His entry into music was dramatic. In 1986, a friend, Dominic Kimani, who also ascribed to his faith, noticed his mellow voice during an open-air crusade in Nairobi’s Gikomba market.

At the time, Nene worked as a mechanical engineer apprentice in Industrial area. His job was to sell motor vehicle spare parts.

"Kimani recruited me into his band as a backup vocalist and assisted me record my first volume Mwathani Njitika (Jesus answer me) in 1987," he reminisces.

Nene’s other tracks are Irathimo cia Ngai (God’s blessings), Jesu Niarametameta (Jesus is Sparkling,) Habakuk, and Nguinira Mwendwa wakwa (I will sing for my love) — which was in celebration of his 20th marriage anniversary and Nyimbo cia Mahoya which has four volumes under the same title.

Nene then firmly took the musical path in bold strides and confesses that there is no looking back. He runs Rems Film Production studio on Duruma Road Nairobi.

"I will walk the whole hog and litter the world with Gospel hits spreading the message of hope, positive living and willpower to surmount life’s hardships," he vows.

Support

He also vows to continually support budding Gospel artistes and hone their skills so that "the mantle of Gospel can be passed over in generations to come."

Nene was born in 1961 in Kimende village, Kiambu, to the late Steve Nene and Susan Wangui. Out of 12 children, only Nene and a sister are surviving.

In 1965, his family relocated to Ng’arua in Laikipia West district before relocating to Koru in Kisumu. In 1970, his parents relocated him to Njoro, Nakuru, where he schooled at Muhoroni and Rusiru primary schools. He joined Lake Nakuru Secondary then Lari High School.

Later, he joined Nakuru Accounts College until 1984, when his father died, having attained CPA Three qualifications. This ended his academic journey and started a new era — jostling to make it in life.

Nene is a father of five children — a daughter and four sons aged between four and 23. His children, except the first-born, Steven, are interested in music. They plan to release a joint family album some day.