Congolese music legend Papa Wemba's sudden death shocks Kenyans

Kenyans Sunday joined the rest of the world in mourning Congolese music maestro Papa Wemba.

Most people who attended the Koroga Festival in August 2014 at the Nairobi Arboretum still recall his energetic performance and unique voice.

That day, he never showed signs of ever stopping and his voice made those age-old songs sound fresh.

"Is it true? I can't believe it. There are a few musicians from Africa with the type of reach and clout that this man had. His influence on music anywhere in Africa is undeniable and is huge.," mourned Dan Chizi Aceda who says he was honoured to have shared the stage with the fallen rhumba legend at the Koroga Festival.

"His way of music was such that anyone could enjoy it because he was a master of good artistry," musician and Kenyatta University lecturer Sylvester Otieno said.

His colleague Henry Wanjala said that although Wemba was from Zaire, his music was not distinctly Congolese rhumba, a sign that he was an innovator.

Wemba pushed for the rights of the oppressed during his music career spanning over four decades.

So Why?

In 1991 he collaborated with Senegalese great Youssou N'dour to record a song for the International Red Cross and performed in Paris for non-profit organisations to help them raise money to finance their projects in Africa.

The concert also marked the launch of the "So Why?" campaign, designed to encourage inter-ethnic tolerance.

Wemba's death came just days after the sudden death of American musician Prince Rogers Nelson who also stood up for the rights of the disenfranchised black population in the US.

Music teachers converging at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu received the news of his demise with shock. One of the teachers noted that Wemba's music has been performed by many students during the annual music festival in the 'Zilizopendwa' category.

"He left us with a treasure trove of good music that we'll continue to sing for many years to come," they said.