Curtain rolls down on rumba, benga star Musa Juma

By Caroline Nyanga

It is yet another blow to music fans as Kenya mourns popular rumba star Musa Juma.

The death of the founding member of the legendary Limpopo International Band, popularly referred to by his fans as Jasiaya Kababa or Wuod Usonga, has left lovers of rumba and benga music in shock.

The rumba maestro, who was also a lead guitarist of the band group, died on Tuesday evening at Mombasa Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where he had been taken for treatment after a severe pneumonia attack.

Prior to his death Juma had just been on his third US tour where he spent close to seven months performing in various States, including Texas, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Atlanta, Maryland and Washington DC. He returned two weeks ago.

Besides rumours he would eventually return to settle in the US, which he did not confirm nor denied, he also secured a three-year contract with Rowa Records Company based in California, Los Angeles.

Upon his return the musician only staged three shows – His latest shows were at Egesa East Villa Umoja, the other at Hot Haux (formerly Deep West) in Nairobi, with the last being at Pan City Grill in Mombasa.

All through the frail looking Juma put on a brave face, giving fans the best of entertainment while he knew too well he was not in good health.

Lovers of rumba and benga will miss Musa Juma, a popular rumba and benga musician who died while undergoing treatment at a Mombasa hospital on Tuesday. [PHOTOS: COURTESY]

During his last concert last Saturday at Pan City Grill and Restaurant he sought assistance from his close friend-cum-fellow musician Igwe Prezda Bandasson to help out with the show. The latter has done many shows alongside Juma during his album launches and vice versa.

According to Bandasson, Juma for the first time felt he could not go through the show alone.

Poor health

"Although this was to be his last concert before taking a one month break, he appeared strong, but on various occasions you could see him performing weakly – being replaced by fellow musicians," Bandasson told The Standard.

On Sunday morning, after his successful show he was rushed to Mombasa Hospital upon realising his condition was quickly deteriorating, says Bandasson.

And it would also appear that Juma had a premonition of his death.

When I spoke to him last week during which I also had a chance to interview him exclusively on his tour, music and life, he made it clear he was not in good health, as a result of his stay in the US during winter, which he believed affected him.

And last Friday, he sent me a text message asking when his interview would appear in The Standard since he could not wait to read it. Upon learning that it would appear the next day (last Saturday), he sounded excited.

He still went ahead to remind me of the wanting state of his health and further said he needed to spend time with his family in Mombasa, away from music.

Little did I know this was the last time I would hear from him.

Today Juma’s body lies at Mombasa Hospital mortuary with thousands of shocked fans thronging to view it in disbelief. Ironically, it is hardly three years since he lost his brother Omondi Tony — also a rumba and benga star in a tragic road accident on his way to Mombasa, where he was scheduled to perform.

Omondi died a week after the accident while undergoing treatment at Makadara Coast General Hospital on June 6, 2008.

Juma had just released his eighth album — Lake Victoria — comprising six tracks, which has quickly become a favourite among local fans.

The self-produced album done in Kiluo, Kiswahili and English is produced at Leemax Studio, River Road, and has so far sold thousands of copies.

"Lake Victoria is the best and I need to give it time before I finally release its video. So far, I am happy with its progress locally even though it is yet to be fully appreciated abroad," he told The Standard at his last interview.