Trio riding the ‘mugithi’ train to success

By Joe Ombuor

Ordinarily, Bahati is a drowsy shopping centre in Nairobi’s Eastlands with noisy bars and an uninspiring ambience. But that changes when weekend comes and with it, the amazing train christened Mugithi wa Horizon.

Amazing because the train does not crawl on iron rails, like the conventional ‘iron snake’ but arrives like a phantom, belting out sweet music where others hiss and hoot to their destinations.

Complete with its medley of carousing, jigging, gyrating passengers, mugithi transforms into an entertaining troupe once it hits the stage at Horizon Bar, normally after sunset on Friday evening with repeat performances on Saturday and Sunday, rousing Bahati from its stupor.

Driving the engine of music, dance and fun are two young men and a ravishing young woman, the popular threesome’s song bird.

The trio says music pays the bills. Photo: Joe Ombuor/Standard

Strumming on the solo guitar is 31-year-old Joshua Kitheka from Mwala, Ukambani, and the man with a magic hand on the drums is 32-year-old Shadrack Osewe from Kasipul Kabondo.

Songbird Rachel Wangui, 28, electrifies her fans with sheer radiance and a voice like a nightingale. She sings in Kikuyu, Dholuo, Kiswahili, Kikamba, English or Lingala. Her own compositions include the enthralling Mami Witu Ndukariganira (mother you are unforgettable) in praise of her mother who struggled to bring her up alone.

The trio has been involved in music from childhood. Kitheka, started off as a soloist for Kamba music maestros David Kasyoki and Francis Denja in Machakos, quitting school at primary school level as a result.

Later, he performed in bands led by Joseph Kamaru, Francis Rugwiti and Stephen Ndichu. But it is in Bahati that his talent has matured after six years on guitar.

Fascinated by drums

"Mugithi has made me whom I am today: a loving husband and proud father of two. I own property bought with proceeds from mugithi. I am looking forward to being a producer and help upcoming artistes," says Kitheka.

Drummer Osewe was headed for the stars with a B- score in KCSE at Agoro Sare Secondary School in 1992 when his ambition suffered a blow with the death of a brother who had funded his education.

"I could not proceed with college education, so I gravitated to a band owned by a friend and was fascinated by the drums. One day the drummer was unwell and I stood in for him. The rest is history."

Other musicians including Queen Jane and Nelly Wanja hired him. His skills improved and with it, the pay.

"I have come a long way. I am now married with three children," he says proudly.

For Wangui, music was so effervescent a phenomenon that her grandmother predicted while she was in Standard Three that she would grow into a musician.

"I was leading choirs in the church that early," says Wangui.

After Form Four at Loreto High School, Kiambu, she did not hesitate to walk into the music world when nothing else was open to her.

"It has not been easy, because people, including close relatives misunderstand those of us who perform in venues such as this. One has to contend with gossip and innuendo, but the job is rewarding and I have no regrets," she says.

Wanja says she has managed to pay school fees for her sister and take care of her mother and siblings.