Kamande wa Kioi, the comic music maestro

Kisima award-winning former police officer is not only known for his slapstick songs, but also his humorous adventures in life, writes MWANGI MUIRURIIn music circles, Kamande wa Kioi is described as the musician who will never grow up.But in production circles, he is known as the guitar wizard whose fingers were created for the chords.True to his descriptions Marc Kamande wa Kioi remains mystic even as he sings love songs. He also has a knack for cracking the most awkward jokes and getting away with it.Kamande is married to two wives — 1995 and 2003 although he has not solemnised the unions. He has five children."It is a wonderful life to have two wives just try it! You operate like a king, moving from this house to the other. But keep them in separate houses," he says.With such jocular banters, he is dismissed as ‘one of the ugliest musicians’ owing to his dark complexion, but ‘whom God gave milk white teeth and a gap.’Kamande is an eccentric personality who threw his hat in the ring during the last General Elections. He contested for the Maragua Parliamentary seat on Kamlesh Pattni’s Kenda party and lost. He garnered 8,432 votes.The sixth born in the family of eight, Kamande who was born in 1972 is a superstitious man. He fears curses and says that his late grandfather warned the family members against joining the police force. Kamande defied and joined the force only to resign fearing the curse when his grandfather passed on — after serving for three years.During his stint as a constable, Kamande was a guitarist with Kenya Police Band."I did not attend any guitar strumming classes. It is just a talent. I stumbled on one in our local church when I was 12," he says. Kamande also played guitar for the Police Welfare Band before he was transferred to the Dog Section in 1993 — the band died on the same year.With no band to play for, Kamande was assigned duties as a dog handler. He worked for one year and then resigned.Matatu owner "I was given Sh47,000 as send off package and left . I eventually came to Nairobi and bought a matatu registration KRP 733 that plied Lunga Lunga route," he explains. But Kamande’s first love was music and the passion for strumming his guitar became irresistible. He sold off the matatu and linked up with other established benga musicians . "I was only paid Sh500 for my services every night during the weekend," he recalls.He later abandoned music and sought casual employment in construction to raise money for a guitar after squandering his wealth.After buying the guitar, Kamande went to record his debut album Mami Nikii Wekire Baba? (Mum, what happened to dad?) in 2000.A year later, Kamande released Parapara (noise).In 2002, he released a mega hit Kanyau Gakwa (my cat).The following year he released Thie Uhike (go get married). Kamande sings: "Go get married but you will be surprised to know I’m the one who will take you for a honeymoon."In 2004, he released award-winning album, Karanga Chapo.And in 2006, Kamande courted salvation and released a gospel album, From Nothing To Something. But away from his vocals, Kamande has brushed shoulders with death. In 1996 as he strolled Eastleigh, he was mistaken for a pickpocket and was a victim of mob justice.Mistaken identity "Unfortunately, I was dressed in navy blue tracksuit which was similar to the one the alleged pickpocket was wearing. "The police truck appeared at the nick of time and saved my life," he explains.Kamande plans to publish his adventures on a book titled, Adventures of wa Kioi. The book will include an incident where a toothless man bit his face."A toothless gum is very dangerous. The pain was so terrible ," he says. His only wish in music is to get rid off piracy.

Kamande wa Kioi, the comic music maestro

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Kamande wa Kioi, the comic music maestro

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.